The AAC Live Your Dream Grant
Powered by The North Face
Supported locally by the Mt. Washington Valley Ice Festival
NORTHEAST REGION
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The purpose of the Live Your Dream Grant is to support and promote unforgettable experiences
for climbers—specifically, experiences that provide the skills and confidence to realize one’s
climbing ambitions; to dream big, to grow as a climber, and to inspire others. The grant seeks to
fund individuals, or individuals from small teams, of all ages and experience levels, as well as a
range of climbing disciplines (including but not limited to: bouldering, sport & trad climbing, ice
climbing, mountaineering, ski mountaineering, peak running, exploration—you name it). We
encourage you to grab a friend or three, dream big, and send us an application.
The Live Your Dream Grant is developed and administered locally with community support. For
the Northeast Region, this grant is supported locally through a community silent auction at the
Mt. Washington Valley Ice Festival.
Climbers from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts,
Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for the AAC Northeast
Region’s Live Your Dream Grant.
Examples of types of projects we might fund include (but are not limited to):
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funding for a boulderer, sport climber, trad climber, or ice climber to visit an area outside
of the Northeast Region and attempt an iconic problem/route and/or build their
technique and skills
funding for a mountaineer looking to bag an ascent of an iconic climb that demonstrates a
progression in personal difficulty and/or skills, such as Denali, or a trip to the greater
ranges
funding for a gym climber to travel to a regional, national, or international competition
and/or to fund a first trip outdoors to attempt an iconic route and/or to fund a trip to
establish new routes or develop new skills
funding for an ice climber who wants to expand his or her skills and experience on terrain
not found in the Northeast Region—such as the Cascades, Banff, the Rockies, the greater
ranges, or elsewhere
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Projects involving climbers who are supported financially by corporate sponsors will not be
considered. Proposals from “amateur” climbers who have received financial or in-kind (e.g.,
gear) corporate support for the proposed project will be considered, but support levels must be
disclosed.
The Northeast Region’s Live Your Dream Grant is made possible through the support of the
American Alpine Club, The North Face, the Mt. Washington Valley Ice Festival, and individual
donors. Grants awards are capped at maximum of $1000. The grant cycle runs January 1st
through March 1st. Recipients are notified no later than April 15, six weeks after the
application deadline.
The application deadline is March 1st. Grant applications must be made electronically in MS
Word or PDF format by the due date. Applications are considered for projects that occur
within one year of the application due date. All funds must be used within one year of
application due date or all funds must be returned to The American Alpine Club.
Submit your Northeast Region Live Your Dream Grant applications via email to
northeastgrant@americanalpineclub.org
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Selection Criteria:
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Only U.S. citizens may apply.
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Grants are based on the project’s potential to have a positive impact on the grantee’s life and
experience of climbing. The project must accurately demonstrate a progression in skills
and experience and outline an obtainable yet personally difficult goal.
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The selection committee will consider the individual’s and/or team’s experience level, which
must be appropriate for the proposed objective.
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Membership in The American Alpine Club is required. Non-members may apply,
however for funds to be awarded, membership must be acquired. Those under age 29 qualify
for Junior Membership at a reduced membership fee.
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To apply for the Northeast Region “Live Your Dream” Grant, you must currently live in
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut,
New Jersey or Pennsylvania.
Responsibilities of Grant Recipient:
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If for any reason the project is canceled or significantly changed, awarded funds must be
returned to the AAC in full. Please contact the AAC office if your proposal changes.
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If, after a grant is awarded, additional funding is obtained and the grant funds are no longer
needed, or if a project is “over funded,” the recipient is asked to return all surplus funds to the
AAC. Also, if after the grant is awarded a corporate sponsorship is awarded to the project, all
funds from the AAC must be returned.
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Within two months of returning, all grant recipients must submit to the AAC a project report
including photos (this can be written, a video project, essay, photo essay, etc.) for possible
inclusion in AAC/TNF publications and/or posting on the AAC/TNF website. Points are
awarded for creativity! Failure to submit expedition report will result in applicant being
ineligible for future AAC grants.
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Any photos of the expedition team or individuals submitted with an expedition report may be
reproduced in any manner the AAC or TNF desires for use on the AAC/TNF website or
marketing materials. The AAC & TNF will have the right to use photos submitted with a
project report on the AAC/TNF website or marketing materials.
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Grant recipients agree to act as American Alpine Club Ambassadors. The role of an
Ambassador means you mention your AAC support at slide shows and events when speaking
about the expedition; you may be asked to give a presentation on the project at the AAC’s
annual meeting or other events; and you express a commitment to the AAC’s mission.
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Examples of past Live Your Dream grant recipients:
Saylor Flett, Bill Pilling, and Brett Marty seek the objective of the Carpe Ridge on Mount
Fairweather, one of the world’s highest coastal mountains on the border of Alaska and British
Columbia. Having rarely climbed outside of the Sierra Nevada, Brett and Saylor seek to take their
technical skills into the much larger Alaskan range for the first time under the apprenticeship,
mentorship, and partnership of William “Bill” Pilling, a 20+ year veteran of Alaskan
mountaineering.
Geri Ulrey, a gym climber with very limited experience climbing outdoors, dreamed of gaining
outdoor climbing experience. She will travel to Squamish to climb in a classic setting on
unknown-to-her terrain and, as an independent filmmaker and educator, Geri documented her
journey to offer insight into what climbing has meant to her as she has recovered after a neardeath experience in June 2010.
Melissa Buehler wished to be the first woman to climb the Evolution Traverse in a day (tent-totent), solo. Melissa loves free-climbing, peak bagging, and ski-mountaineering and, with many
tandem-solos under her belt, Melissa has taught herself how to navigate in the mountains. The
Evolution Traverse will challenge both her ability to route-find and push her limits physically
and mentally.
Hari Mix dreamed of climbing all three 7000-meter peaks of the Pamir Mountains in Kyrgyzstan
and Tajikistan while also making a contribution to science. In pursuit of his PhD, and funded
through a Live Your Dream grant, Hari climbed the three peaks and collected microbe samples
from extreme elevations to predict the effects of climate change on the region. His samples were
the highest elevation samples taken to date.
Parker Webb will travel to Nepal before starting college and will spend his days strengthening
his climbing skills on ice and at altitude. Objectives range from ice climbing on Losar to peaks
such as Lobuche East. Parker will also be volunteering at the Khumbu Climbing Center and giving
his good energy back to the local culture.
Christopher Marshall and Jake Gaventa will embark on a ski-mountaineering expedition to the
Neacola Mountains, a sub-range of the Aleutian Mountains in Alaska. Their goal is to establish
first ascents and descents of unclimbed peaks around the “Slingshot Glacier” and the
surrounding peaks with objectives that include both technical alpine routes and ski descents.
Based on their research, this area has seen little or no previous climbing or skiing traffic.
Bob Porter’s intended objective is a solo ascent of the Quad Direct on El Capitan. Recently
turned 60 and retiring after 32 years in public education, Bob wishes enrich a 42-year climbing
career through a lifelong dream of soloing El Cap. Having climbed the Zodiac in 1999, and with
notable ascents in Yosemite, Zion, the Cascades, the Tetons, and Squamish, Bob has the drive and
experience to see his dream through.
Marshal Hoda will travel to the Daxue Shan range in China, a largely unexplored mountain range
with great potential for route development. His team will concentrate on the area immediately
south of Minya Konka (aka Gonga Shan) and hopes to make first ascents of one or more peaks in
the range of 14,000–17,000’.
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The AAC Live Your Dream Grant
Powered by The North Face
Supported locally by the Mt. Washington Valley Ice Festival
NORTHEAST REGION APPLICATION
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Submit application to:
Grants Manager
Attn: Live Your Dream Grant NORTHEAST REGION
Email: northeastgrant@americanalpineclub.org
In order to process your application as quickly as possible:
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You must submit your application electronically in MS Word or PDF format. You
must included a scanned signature inserted into the document where needed. You
may also send a copy of this form by post.
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Please submit a photo of your proposed project if applicable.
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Submit to the AAC on or before the March 1st deadline. No late applications will be
accepted.
Name: (last, first, middle) ___________________________________________ Date of Birth: ___________
Address: ________________________________________City: ___________________State: _____ Zip: ___________
Primary Phone: _____________________________ Email: ________________________________________________
Dates of Proposed Project/Climb: ________________________________________________________________
___ Yes, I am a member of The American Alpine Club (membership is required).
___ No, I am not currently a member of The American Alpine Club, however I realize that
membership is required and I will join the American Alpine Club if my project is chosen to be
funded.
___ Yes, I am a U.S. Citizen (applicant must be a U.S. citizen but other team members need not be.)
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Please describe the climbing project for which financial support is sought. What is your
objective?
Please explain the proposed project/climb’s significance; how, and in what ways, this
project allows you to live your dream; explain your progression as a climber and how this
project takes your progression to the next level.
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We are very interested in storytelling. How do you plan to document your adventure
(written article, video, photo essay, etc.)?
Names of other team members (if applicable):
Please briefly describe your and your team members’ experience:
Budget (please break into broad categories, i.e., airfare, ground transportation, lodging,
food, etc.):
Itinerary (a general schedule of what you plan to do and when):
Please list any additional grants or sponsorships you are applying for and the amount(s)
received, including in-kind support as equipment/gear:
List names, email addresses and phone numbers of two people with whom you’ve climbed
to serve as references:
1. Name: ___________________ Phone: ______________ Email:_______________________
2. Name: ___________________ Phone: ______________ Email:_______________________
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By my signature, I agree that:
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All of the information presented in this application is accurate and true.
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Any awarded funds will be used for the purposes stated and that any changes in plans will be
reported to the AAC.
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If for any reason the climbing objective is canceled or significantly changed, awarded funds
must be returned to the AAC.
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I will be responsible for any taxes that may apply to the award received.
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Neither I, nor any member of my team, have been convicted of any crime or been excluded,
banned or disciplined from climbing in any area.
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In any presentation, lecture, slide show or articles about my trip, I will mention that I
received an AAC & TNF grant and include an AAC & TNF logo in my presentation.
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I will submit an expedition report, with photos, within two months of my return and I agree
that this report may be published in any AAC publication as well as the AAC website. (Failure
to submit expedition report will result in applicant being ineligible for future AAC grants.)
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Any photos of the expedition team or individuals submitted with an expedition report may be
reproduced in any manner the AAC/TNF desires for use on the AAC/TNF website or
marketing materials. The AAC/TNF will have the right to use photos submitted with an
expedition report on the AAC/TNF website or marketing materials.
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I will be willing, if asked, to give a presentation of the expedition at the AAC annual meeting
or other event.
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Grant recipients agree to be an American Alpine Club Ambassador. As an Ambassador, you
will endorse the AAC at slide shows and events, and will have an expressed commitment to
the AAC’s mission.
SIGNATURE: ______________________________________DATE:____________________
PRINT NAME: _____________________________________
We must have your signature. If you can’t provide an electronic signature, please mail a backup
signed copy also to the AAC offices at: 710 10th Street, Golden, CO 80401 Attn: Grants Manager.
Before grant funds can be distributed to recipients, a signed and initialed “Agreement” between
grant recipient and the AAC must be received along with recipient’s social security number (for
tax purposes). This form will be sent to winning grant recipients with notification that they have
been awarded a grant. An electronic signature or mailed in signature on this form will be
required.
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