Are you an avid climber? Do you wish you were out at the crag right now instead of at work? Well, good news for you: The American Alpine Club in partnership with The North Face just opened up the application process for the 2018 “Live Your Dream” program which consists of $70,000 in grant awards offered to climbers of all levels to embark on a climbing trip of their choosing. The AAC will award $200 to $1,000 per individual selected to receive funding. The only qualification needed to apply is a healthy appetite for adventure. Since 2012, the AAC and The North Face have been teaming up to help fund the climbing community’s insatiable appetite for adventure. In 2017, “Live Your Dream” grant awardee, Matthew Brikebak, used his funding to tackle the Grand Teton, South Howser Tower and Mt. Rainer, all in one year. Ben Peters was also awarded grant money from the “Live Your Dream” fund in 2017, and used it to spend a month establishing first ascents in the Tasermiut Fjord in southeast Greenland. In fact, “Live Your Dream” grants have supported nearly 400 trips to-date, something that Whitney Bradberry, marketing director at the American Alpine Club says is one of the most exciting components of the organization, which has been in operation since 1902.
“This grant is an exciting departure from our history,” said Bradberry. “We’ve been providing financial support for cutting-edge and exploratory ascents for decades. While it’s important to advance the upper fringe of our sport, those grants do not resonate with most of our members. This program is designed to speak to all climbers who have dreams, and to reward some of those climbers, no matter their ability level.”
So how will you spend your “Live Your Dream” grant money? Applications are being accepted until March 31, 2018. An application fee of $5 for members of the AAC, or $20 for non-members, is required. Click here to apply today, and happy climbing!
