Blog
- Sample Letter of Support for the Community Climbing Gym
- Speak Up for the Gym on Oct. 4
- Hoback Shield Parking Update
About Us
Operating under the fiscal stewardship of Teewinot Institute, The Teton Climbers’ Coalition celebrates the Teton climbing community, represents its interests and works to ensure the legacy of Teton mountaineering remains dynamic, inclusive and fun.
Background: The Tetons are America’s quintessential mountaineering range. The climbing community that lives in their shadows includes everyone from weekend warriors and student participants in the Jackson Hole High School Mountaineering Club, to the hundreds of pre-teens, teens, millennials, Gen-Xers, families and parents who compete in the summertime Town Pump bouldering series at the Teton Boulder Park, to the Exum and Jackson Hole mountain guides and Jenny Lake climbing rangers—young, old and retired—who call Jackson home.
Since The Enclosure Climbing Gym closed in 2014, community engagement has been limited to informal gatherings at the Boulder Park, participation at The Town Pump and occasional events such as the Reel Rock Film Tour. This has created fragmentation and a lack of synergy around issues and opportunities of interest to the community.
With the Teton Boulder Park under Teton County Parks and Recreation Department’s jurisdiction, the Ranger Boulder included in the Parks and Recreation Master Redevelopment Plan for Phil Baux Park, and with the imminent addition of the new climbing gym and climbing boulder as part of the Rec Center expansion, climbing is poised to become a major component of Parks and Recreation’s responsibilities.
Objectives
Create a liaison with Parks and Recreation that crowdsources the climbing community’s resources and passion to ensure a productive, positive collaboration
Align and amplify existing efforts and initiatives related to Teton climbing
Harness an active constituency that can participate in the decision-making process and contribute to the advancement of issues relevant to Teton climbing
Cultivate a cross-sectional community of Teton climbers who can respond to emergent issues and opportunities
Model responsible rec (which fosters and is informed by a conservation ethic while promoting diverse, inclusive and next-generation engagement) as a behavioral norm
Celebrate the past, present and future of Teton climbing, and ensure the pursuit is accessible and inclusive to all
Core Values
Fun
Climbing is fun. We like to have it.
Respect
For one another, other community members and the natural world
Mentorship
Bringing the next generation into the legacy of Teton climbing
Diversity
Building onramps that allow anyone, regardless of ability, race, gender identity or sexual orientation, to join the Teton climbing community
Inclusivity
Creating a safe space for all people that values their cultural background and its relationship to climbing in the Tetons
Stewardship
Promoting the values of conservation, engagement and activism among Teton climbers
We’d Rather Be Higher Happy Hours
Want to learn more about the climbing gym, or contribute your ideas to the TCC? Join us at the Town Pump every Tuesday evening from 6-8 at the Teton Boulder Park for the (socially distant) “We’d Rather Be Higher” happy hours. Meet the TCC board, hear where we’re headed, and share your thoughts and ideas for ways to make the Teton climbing community great again!
The Ranger Reunion
A reunion of Jenny Lake Rangers will be held at a date TBD to develop momentum for the Ranger Boulder. Stay tuned for more details.