ALL ACCESS TOUR Stops in St. Louis!

ST. LOUIS, December 5, 2007 – On Wednesday, December 5, 2007, at 7:00 p.m.,  two of the most accomplished climbers in the climbing community, Matt Segal and Micah Dash, will stop at the Alpine Shop - Kirkwood to present two multi-media slideshows as part of the Access Fund’s ALL ACCESS Tour.

Segal and Dash have traveled around the world in their pursuit of the perfect chunk of stone, and they have some breathtaking pictures to show…and the stories to go with them.  Segal represents the new age of hard free climbing, and his slideshow encompasses bouldering in Hueco Tanks, TX, his first ascent of the first 5.14 in Eldorado Canyon, CO, and his impressive climbing with fellow hard traditionalist, Sonny Trotter.  Dash will showcase his difficult crack climbing exploits in Indian Creek, UT, and his big wall free climbing in Yosemite, CA.  His show will also highlight some of his impressive first and second ascents in Pakistan, as well as amazing free climbing in Greenland.

“When Matt called me and said he and Micah would like to stop by St. Louis to put on a free slideshow to benefit the Access Fund, I was thrilled,” says Brandi Ball,

General/Marketing Manager of Upper Limits.  “Upper Limits and the Alpine Shop teamed up, and we’re honored to welcome two acclaimed climbers to St. Louis while doing some good for the Access Fund.  Hopefully we’ll get a huge turn out!”   

The slideshow is co-sponsored by Upper Limits and the Alpine Shop, and the cost of admission is $5 per person.  This is a non-profit slideshow, and ALL of the proceeds will be donated to the Access Fund.

Since 1991, the Access Fund has been the only national non-profit advocacy organization that keeps climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment. The Access Fund supports and represents over 1.6 million climbers nationwide in ALL forms of climbing; Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing, Mountaineering, and Bouldering. Five core programs support the mission on national and local levels: public policy, stewardship & conservation (including grants), grassroots activism, climber education, and land acquisition.  For more information about the Access Fund or to become a member, please visit www.accessfund.org.

The ALL ACCESS Tour Stops in St. Louis!

Upper Limits Company History:
In January of 1994, Chris and Pam Schmick purchased Upper Limits in Peru, Illinois with the intention to move the gym to a larger location. After many disappointments, they finally came across the abandoned grain silos in Bloomington, IL, and set September 2nd as the opening day.  With the assistance of local climbers, Upper Limits – Bloomington has been an Illinois land mark for the past 11 years.
In February of 2001 Upper Limits expanded again. St. Louis was in desperate need of a climbing gym and Pam and Chris filled the vacancy. After much difficulty, they were able to land another bank loan, another loan from Chris' Grandmother, and a suitable space to lease. The construction began in October of 2000 and was finished at the end of January 2001. The climbing walls were built by Eldorado Wall Co. but most of the other work was once again completed with the help of local climbers.
Currently, the Schmicks have no plans for a third gym, but you never know…

Alpine Shop Company History:
Since coming to life in 1973 as a small climbing shop in Webster Groves, today Alpine Shop serves almost every type of outdoor enthusiast from climbers, backpackers, campers, paddlers and cyclists to snowboarders and skiers, in three stores located in Kirkwood, Chesterfield, and Columbia, Mo. 

Alpine Shop is dedicated to helping their customers “Make Every Day an Adventure.” You can see that in their product selection - chosen specifically for their Midwest customers, with quality, durability and style. You’ll notice it in their award-wining customer service which matches expert-level knowledge with sincere interest in our customer’s needs and desires. And you can see it in the way they back up their customers’ purchases with “iron-clad” guarantees, dependable warranties and service.

• Call (314) 241-ROCK for more information.

• $5 admission goes completely to Access Fund

Event Date	Location	Time	Status
Wed, December 5, 2007	Alpine Shop Kirkwood	7 pm	OPEN