AAC Live your Dream Grants

by Ally Imbody, guest blogger

Mazama members Ally Imbody and Jon Skeen are excited to have received an American Alpine Club Live Your Dream grant to climb the Complete Exum Route of the Grand Teton this summer.

They are both currently in the Mazama Advanced Rock program and are thrilled to apply the traditional rock climbing skills they've been honing all spring in the alpine wilderness of Grand Teton National Park on one of the 50 Classic Climbs of North America. Ally and Jon join a long list of Mazamas who have been awarded AAC LYD grants over the years. Here's what you need to know to take advantage of this opportunity in 2015:

• The purpose of the Live Your Dream grant is to support and promote unforgettable experiences for individual climbers or small teams of all climbing disciplines to achieve new heights and to inspire others. You don't have to be an elite climber or be putting up first ascents in remote locations. You just have to have an achievable climbing goal you're working toward. 
• The application period opens January 1st and closes March 1st.  Winners will be announced April 15.  All funds must be used within one year of application due date, so your planned climb should be completed by April 15, 2016.
• Grants are distributed by region, and climbers living in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska are eligible to apply for the Northwest Region grant. However, your planned climb can be anywhere.
• The grant is funded by The North Face and awards will vary depending on the prospective project, but typically fall in the $200 to $1,000 range.
• Grants are based on the project’s potential to have a positive impact on the grantee’s life and experience of climbing. Tell a good story, and make sure that you are choosing something that represents a significant progression of your skills but it still realistic. Do your research!
• The selection committee will consider the individual’s and/or team’s experience level, which must be appropriate for the proposed objective. Be honest- the application is being evaluated by experienced climbers who will be able to tell if you know your stuff. They don't care how rad you are, they just want to know that you're not getting in over your head. 
• Membership in the American Alpine Club is not required, but for funds to be awarded, membership must be acquired. However, since the AAC and the Mazamas offer discounted joint memberships and are strong supporters of one another's missions, you should hopefully already be a member!

It's never too early to set goals and start planning for next year! Many of the climbs, skill-builders, and courses that you complete over the next year will help you prepare for even bigger adventures the following season. Good luck, and climb high!

Another Mazama team also received a Live Your Dream Grant. Team: Karin Mullendorf, Laura Pigion, and Candi Cook. Location: French Valley Torres del Paine Patagonia Route: Primary Objective: Aleta del Tiburon - The Shark's Fin (1850m). Route Description: 11 pitches, Grade V, 5.9.  Secondary Objective: Eliana's Chapel (Grade IV). Date: January 2015. (Photo of the area from Flickr)