How We Donated Over $12k to Climbing Coalitions Through the Power of Media

By Elaine Elliott

One of many checks donated to the SCC after the Filling the Void film tour. Photo by Nathalie DuPre.

Steep South started from humble beginnings as an Instagram account in 2017. By reposting climbers and photographers from the region, I wanted to show the diversity and beauty of climbing in the Southeast.

But weekly reposts weren’t the ultimate goal. I knew media exposure could support local climbing organizations (LCOs), but I wasn’t sure how. Through a magazine? Articles? Writing contests? After two years of gaining a social media following and researching the interests of my fellow climbers, I realized the best outlet for helping LCOs increase awareness to conservation and access efforts was through film.

The only problem was, I wasn’t a filmmaker. Heck, I didn’t even have a nice camera. But one thing I’ve learned through this whole journey is how supportive our climbing community truly is. When I explained to Chattanooga cinematographers Rich Moore and Nathalie DuPre that I wanted to help raise funds for the Denny Cove land loan through a climbing documentary and film tour, they were more than willing to collaborate.

Thank you to our Filling the Void main sponsor High Point Climbing. Photo by @ontheroadandoff.

The first step to the Filling the Void film project began with an anniversary fundraiser event at the Crash Pad hostel to raise funds for film permits, insurance, and gear rentals. In addition, over half the donations from the fundraiser were given to the East Tennessee Climbers Coalition who desperately needs hardware funds for rebolting the Obed Wild and Scenic River.

Steep South’s first 4-hour party was a success. After all the beers were poured and raffle prizes were given away, we wrote our first donation check to the East Tennessee Climbers Coalition for $1,815. Hooray!

One month later, we began filming at Denny Cove for Steep South’s Filling the Void film. For more information on this arduous process, read the For the Love of Denny Cove article.

By September of 2019, we were ready to debut Filling the Void on a fall film tour across the Southeast. Highlights of the tour included the premiere screening in Nashville, a sold out show in Chattanooga, and a Rocktoberfest screening where the festival masses watched the film on the big screen under the Land of the Arches hangar.

The Filling the Void premiere in Nashville’s Cumberland Transit. Photo by Nathalie DuPre.

Between the film tour and online fundraiser, we raised $11,000 for the Southeastern Climbers Coalition. All the proceeds went toward the Denny Cove land loan. The loan had $69,000 remaining when the film was completed, and now only has $30,000 left after numerous SCC fundraisers, Filling the Void screenings, and donors supported the cause. To donate today, please go to the Southeastern Climbers Coalition website. To watch the full film, click the YouTube link below.

None of this success would have been possible without the support of the climbing community. I want to extend a huge thank you to filmmakers Rich Moore and Nathalie DuPre who rigged fixed lines, worked 12+ hour film days, and edited the footage. The Southeastern Climbers Coalition, Access Fund, and local route developers were another huge component in making this documentary possible (as well as access to the crag!). And thanks again to our sponsors High Point Climbing, Recover Brands, Organic Climbing, and DMM for their support.

Last but not least, thank you to every climber who donated online or came out to a film screening. Without y’all, we would not have raised $12,815 for the SCC and ETCC.

Beer drinking and psych at the Rock/Creek Chattanooga screening. Photo by Sydney Ibach. For more photos check out our Facebook album.

Denny Cove was chapter 1 to the Filling the Void series. We are in the process of working on a North Carolina film to support the Carolina Climbers Coalition. If you know any outdoor brands or local North Carolina companies who are interested in supporting the project through sponsorship, please contact steepsouthmedia@gmail.com.

As always, stay psyched and go climb some steep stuff.

Here’s to protecting land and climbing access for future generations… along with teaching them how to hangboard. Photo by Sydney Ibach.