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Nov 20, 2018 | Advocacy Magazine People

Veterans in Action
By Chris Dickey


The American Alpine Club’s “Hill to Crag” series connects war veterans with policymakers to advocate for public lands.



Many of our war veterans come home with invisible wounds that can result in substance abuse, depression, and PTSD. Climbing can provide healthy outlets for stress, mental focus, and a palpable sense of community for these men and women.

The American Alpine Club has a storied relationship with our nation’s armed services. The Club’s political advocacy and skills training led to the formation of the legendary 10th Mountain Division during World War II. The AAC has supported veterans in the time since that time and continues to do so. In spring of 2018, the American Alpine Club launched a new event series we call “Hill to Crag,” that promotes public land advocacy through rock climbing with military veterans and local and national lawmakers.

AAC Veteran Chapter Chair and active-duty U.S. Army Major Byron Harvison is instrumental to the success of these events. We chatted with Harvison about his involvement in public land protection and veteran advocacy:

When you take local, state and federal lawmakers climbing, what do you talk to them about?

“Hill to Crag” is an opportunity to educate policymakers and their staff about the importance of protecting public lands and the benefits of outdoor recreation for local and national economies. We’ve also been talking to them about the power of outdoors to heal invisible wounds, particularly for veterans.

Which of the events has been most memorable to you?

All of them are powerful. With each event we get first-timers; often political staff who don’t spend much time outside. Seeing them rope up and encourage one another is so cool.

But if I had to pick one, I’d say our Utah event at Joe’s Valley. Congressman John Curtis (R), his staff, Emery County officials, and the Utah Director of Outdoor Recreation were all able to join us for a great day rock climbing. We were able to have a meaningful cragside chat with Rep Curtis about his bi-partisan Emery County Public Land Management Act and were able to suggest changes to the bill that would benefit the climbing community. Consequently, the legislation has evolved in support of the climbing community and the use of fixed anchors. His bill, H.R. 5727, is a small but concrete step forward in solving long-standing conflicts over public land.

After climbing, John shared a pizza with my kids.

You’re a busy guy: a father of four, avid climber, and super-engaged AAC volunteer. You also have a serious career in the military.

I’m the State Staff Judge Advocate for the Utah National Guard. This May will mark 20 years in the military. I’ve been deployed multiple times in Afghanistan and Kuwait.

Coming back from my tours overseas, I felt a continued need to serve. When I saw what the AAC was doing with education, land stewardship and public policy, I wanted to get involved. It’s been gratifying to volunteer for a non-profit in the outdoor industry because I so strongly believe that outdoor recreation encourages healthy lifestyles and that we find solace in wild landscapes.

The Hill to Crag events I organize include military members and veterans. It’s a way to get the veteran community engaged and give them a seat at the table. It’s a great fit: a lot of veterans I know love taking people outside and helping them stay active and fit.

In your home state of Utah, public lands are hotly debated. What do you think the future holds for our wild landscapes and vertical playgrounds?

It’s hard to say. We’re at a tipping point where things could go either way. That’s why our advocacy work is so important right now.

I find it amazing that outdoor recreation is such a huge part of our GDP and how few people know that. The oil and gas industry has historically been much better at communicating their economic impact than we have. However, with Utah’s public lands at serious risk, people have come together in a powerful way. And now that the economic contribution of the outdoor industry is better accounted for, we’re learning to use our voice more effectively.

What keeps you going?

Helping protect something I love—access to climbing and public land—gives me tremendous satisfaction. It may be a by-product of a career in the military where we literally are asked to protect our country with our lives, but it also feels good and genuine to protect and share the magic of these wild landscapes with other veterans and future generations.

When did you start climbing?

I started climbing in 1993, during my first semester of college at Oklahoma State. I recall seeing an issue of Rock & Ice magazine while at a bookstore, which had photo of these people on a portaledge, and I was hooked. I bought a copy of John Long’s How to Rock Climband literally taught myself to climb by reading. I ended up climbing so often that I actually lost my academic scholarship that first semester!


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