Policy Rx with the Rock Doc

Hazel Green Ranch and Yosemite National Park have a relationship stretching back to the 1800s. Now, a potential land transfer involving the 83-acre private property on Yosemite’s western boundary is raising new questions about handing over America’s public lands to private companies, fair access to Yosemite, and what it could mean for the future of federal lands.

In this episode of Policy Rx, The Rock Doc sits down with climber and former Yosemite Acting Deputy Superintendent Paul Stern to unpack the proposed Hazel Green land transfer and what’s actually at stake.

Drawing on his experience in Yosemite leadership and as a former Department of Justice attorney, Paul breaks down the long history behind Hazel Green, how a land exchange like this would work, the legal requirements it would have to meet, and why the possibility of granting a private development direct access to Yosemite has raised concerns about precedent. He also explains what happens next and where the public would have an opportunity to weigh in.

Plus, Paul shares how climbing has shaped a career that has taken him from litigating mass shooting cases for the Department of Justice to helping evacuate 137 Afghan women during the fall of Kabul, to Yosemite leadership. Paul’s new book, The Burden of Justice, describes how the problem-solving, perseverance, and trust he learned through climbing have carried into some of the most consequential moments of his career.

Climbers and anglers have more in common than you might think, especially when it comes to protecting public lands.

In this episode of Policy Rx, The Rock Doc sits down with Trout Unlimited President and CEO Chris Wood, who helped develop the Roadless Rule while working for the U.S. Forest Service more than 25 years ago.

Chris takes us inside the creation of the landmark rule, why protecting roadless areas mattered then, and why it still matters today. As the US Forest Service moves to rescind the rule, he breaks down why the Roadless Rule benefits the US Forest Service budget, and what could be at stake for climbing, fishing, wildlife, clean water, and the wild landscapes these communities share.

Plus, hear how climbers, anglers, hunters, and other recreationists have emerged as a powerful voice for public lands, and why Chris believes speaking up now can help shape their future.

Access Fund action alert: https://www.accessfund.org/action-alerts/roadless-rule 

Trout Unlimited action alert: https://www.tu.org/conservation/action-center/ 

Climbing is more than the routes we climb—it’s the stories, art, community, and experiences that shape its culture.

In this episode of Policy Rx, The Rock Doc sits down with Luke Mehall, publisher of The Climbing Zine and host of the Dirtbag State of Mind podcast, to talk about the intersection of climbing, art, and advocacy—from the importance of authentic storytelling and creating space for the next generation to how Luke’s own perspective has evolved over a lifetime of climbing.

Plus, hear why Luke sees stewardship as one of the most tangible ways climbers can make a positive impact—and how replacing bolts, building trails, and passing knowledge on to younger climbers are just as much a part of climbing culture as the climbing itself.

When the Protecting America's Rock Climbing (PARC) Act became law in 2025, it marked a historic win for climbers. Now comes the next step: the draft climbing management guidance that will put the law into practice.

In this episode of Policy Rx, The Rock Doc sits down with Access Fund's Senior Policy Advisor, Jason Keith, to break down what these long-awaited proposals mean for climbers, why climbing management matters, and how you can help shape the final policies during the public comment period.

Plus, learn why it's important for climbers to know what type of land they’re climbing on—pro tip: roadside crags can be designated wilderness and remote alpine towers can be non-wilderness. 

Professional climber Beth Rodden joins the Rock Doc for a reflective conversation about her lifelong relationship with climbing, from serving on the Access Fund board early in her career to pushing the limits of traditional climbing with her first ascent of Meltdown (5.14c) in Yosemite. In this episode of Policy Rx, Beth and Erik explore how climbing has changed over the past few decades, the policies and infrastructure that make modern climbing possible, and what today’s trends, including advanced training and evolving stewardship practices, might mean for the next generation of climbers.

Professional climber and adaptive athlete Quinn Brett joins the Rock Doc for a candid conversation about how her life-altering injury reshaped her relationship with the outdoors—and ignited her advocacy for disability access in wild places. In this episode of Policy Rx, Quinn and Erik dig into why mobility devices like offroad wheelchairs and handcycles belong in Wilderness, how outdated perceptions limit access, and the role the climbing community can play in pushing for a more inclusive future outdoors.

Professional climber, filmmaker, and OG dirtbag Cedar Wright joins the Rock Doc to unpack what it really means to be a dirtbag—then and now—from sleeping in caves in Yosemite to building a fund that helps the next generation keep their climbing dreams alive.

From dumpster-diving days on the road to founding the Dirtbag Fund, Cedar reflects on how dirtbagism has evolved alongside the sport, why access and opportunity still matter, and what it takes to sustain climbing’s counterculture in 2025. In this episode of Policy Rx, Cedar and Erik explore the past, present, and future of dirtbag climbing—and how supporting climbers on the margins helps protect the soul of the sport itself.

Pro climber Connor Herson joins the Rock Doc to explore how access has shaped his career—from bold trad lines to recently becoming the third person in history to free The Nose in a day.

Growing up on California’s iconic granite and pushing into some of the most visionary terrain in the sport, Connor has always sought out climbing that demands focus, creativity, and respect for the landscapes that make progression possible. In this episode, he reflects on how secure access creates the space for breakthrough climbing, why protecting these places is essential for the next generation, and what responsibility comes with pushing the boundaries of the sport.

Pro climber Timmy Kang joins the Rock Doc to reflect on the season that reshaped his relationship with climbing by joining Access Fund in Washington, D.C.

Fresh off sending some of the Buttermilks’ scariest blocs, Timmy stepped into the world of federal policy, gaining a front-row seat to Access Fund’s advocacy on the Protecting America’s Rock Climbing (PARC) Act. In this episode, he unpacks what it means to move from personal pursuit to public service—how representing climbers in our nation’s capital changed his understanding of access, and why every climber has a role to play in protecting the places we love.

Legendary alpinist Kitty Calhoun joins the Rock Doc to discuss her recent Climbing Magazine op-ed on base jumping in Bears Ears. Drawn by world-class terrain and rooted in deep cultural and spiritual significance, Kitty explores how the very landscapes that captivate climbers and jumpers also demand their respect—unpacking the ethics of high-risk recreation in a sacred place, the importance of listening to Indigenous communities, and how climbers can honor and protect this iconic landscape.