Board of Directors
Paul Fish
BOARD MEMBER AS OF NOVEMBER 2023
Paul Fish started climbing in 1976 in the San Francisco Bay Area and Yosemite while attending high school. As many cheap climbers of those days he made much of his own sewn gear and started selling packs, harnesses and other bags under the Mountain Gear Label when he moved to Bellingham and then Spokane, WA. Demand for his products grew and in the early 80s, tired of having customers come to his home, he opened Mountain Gear in Spokane in1983. It became one of the premier outdoor stores in the country. Paul has served on the Board of Directors of the Access Fund (2007-2013) and the Outdoor Industry Association (2003-2008) and The Lands Council (1998-2008).
He is the retired President of Mountain Gear, Inc. and as a retirement gig now brings the Banff Mountain Film Festival to numerous cities working with many local non-profits. Paul continues to be an active climber and cyclist.
Jim Thomsen
TREASURER | BOARD MEMBER AS OF SEPTEMBER 2023
I spent a bunch of time climbing in Yosemite in the late 1960’s. Those early years led to a lifetime working in the outdoor industry.
From those first years I read every possible book and article on climbing I could find. It’s an incredible history and I believe it should be saved for future generations of climbers.
So now is the time to give back. The Yosemite Climbing Museum is a treasure for all climbers, young, old, active and armchair. Visit it the next time you come to Yosemite. And Facelift is of the best events you could attend in Yosemite and many other locations.
Liz Robbins
BOARD MEMBER AS OF AUGUST 2023
As a UC Berkeley University student in the summer of 1960, I worked at Yosemite’s Ahwahnee Hotel, and fell in love with the Park. I was introduced to rock climbing, climbers, and a new world of freedom and adventure, plus I met Royal Robbins. He was bold, unconventional, and intriguing. I chose a life of adventure over convention and we married in 1963. From 1965 to 1967, we lived in Switzerland, teaching skiing and climbing to high school students, a satisfying experience.
Returning to the U.S. in 1968, we founded RR Inc, importing and distributing climbing gear from France and Italy. I recognized that climbers needed more functional climbing pants and began designing and producing performance-oriented garments for outdoor use.
Reflecting on my climbing days, they took me to France, Italy, England, and the Tetons, (The Grand with a cast on my wrist from a fall at Stony Point). We climbed on the sandstone spires of the American desert, and many routes in Yosemite, the NW. Face of Half Dome my most notable with Royal as the first woman to climb an American Grade VI.
Gerald “Jerry” Gallwas
BOARD CHAIR | BOARD MEMBER AS OF JUNE 2023
Jerry Gallwas first visited Yosemite at age 12. In front of Best’s Studio, there was a large photo by Ansel Adams of John Salathe standing on top of the Lost Arrow taking a picture of Ax Nelson rappelling after their first ascent in 1947. At that moment he fell in love with rock climbing vowing to stand where Salathe had to take a similar picture. At age 17, he did and went onto do the first ascent of the Regular Route on the NW Face of Half dome with Royal Robbins and Mike Sherrick in 1957. Venturing into southwest sandstone climbing, he was on the first ascents of Spider Rock, Cleopatra’s Needle, and the Totem Pole in Monument Valley.
A chemist by education, Jerry was a member of the original team that founded Beckman Diagnostics where he served for 30 years and was a member of the Beckman Foundation Board of Directors for 22 years. Along the way, he has served on many corporate boards and consulted widely in the medical device industry. He joined the YCA Board in 2023 and looks forward to supporting the organization’s continue growth and its relationship with Yosemite NPS management, collaborative partners, and to enhance stewardship within the climbing community for the Big Wall Mecca.
Emily Harrington
BOARD MEMBER AS OF JANUARY 2022
Emily Harrington is one of the most successful and versatile professional climbers in the world. She’s a five time US National Champion, has completed numerous first female ascents of 5.14 routes, summited Mt Everest, and made a complete ski descent of Cho Oyu - the world’s 6th tallest peak. In 2020, Harrington became the first woman to free climb ‘Golden Gate’ on El Capitan in under 24 hours, making her the 4th woman in history to free climb El Capitan in a day.
Emily currently resides in Tahoe City, California where she spends her time training, climbing, and skiing with her partner Adrian Ballinger and their dog, Cat. They are expecting the arrival of a baby boy in November of 2022.
Tommy Caldwell
BOARD MEMBER AS OF 2019
Alison Waliszewski
Board Secretary| BOARD MEMBER AS OF 2024
Tommy Caldwell’s dad taught him to embrace fear and doubt and turn them into inspiration. Given this attitude, Tommy has established some of the hardest routes in the country and free climbed 12 routes on El Capitan in Yosemite. He believes difficult journeys, with little chance for success, teach him the most. This attitude is no better exemplified than by his by his first free ascent of Dawn Wall in January of 2015, and his first ascent of the Fitz Traverse in Patagonia in February of 2014. (Bio courtesy of The Push)
Alison Waliszewski, based in Washington, DC, is an accomplished environmental advocate with over 15 years of experience in legislative advocacy, coalition-building, and community engagement. Her career began in museums and community-based nonprofits, where she worked on projects addressing forestry, waste, and water quality in Baltimore City to implement green infrastructure. As Director of Regional Policy and Program Development at The 5 Gyres Institute, Alison leads state policy coalitions and advances groundbreaking microplastics legislation. She launched the Plastic-Free National Parks TrashBlitz project, including its mobile app, and publishes annual reports analyzing plastic pollution trends on federal lands.
Alison is deeply moved by the Yosemite Climbing Association and Museum, where the fusion of environmental stewardship and cultural preservation of Yosemite's climbing history aligns closely with her values. Alison enjoys exploring Northern Virginia’s trails with her dogs in her free time.
Ken Yager
PRESIDENT / FOUNDER MARCH 2003
It was love at first sight when Ken Yager met Yosemite Valley for the first time in 1972. Yager, after serving his rock apprenticeship under Warren Harding, finally started living his Yosemite dream by moving to the Valley when he was 17. He has an impressive climbing resume and guesses he's climbed El Cap around 60 times, but in his usual humble fashion, has not kept track. He worked as a Yosemite Mountain School guide over 11 years, when he guided the monolith three to six times a year. His love for Yosemite motivated him to establish the Yosemite Climbing Association in 2003. Under this umbrella, he has collected decades' worth of climbing gear and history and advocated for the establishment of the Yosemite Climbing Museum. He also started Yosemite Facelift because of his embarrassment at guiding clients through trash and toilet paper. In 2015, his efforts earned him the David R. Brower Conservation Award from the American Alpine Club. You can read more about Ken and his accomplishments in the Alpinist. The Yosemite climbing community is lucky to have him!
