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September 29, 2006
J. Shuler on Scenic Adult at Kaymoor
J. Shuler on Scenic Adult, Kaymoor NRG Photo Dan Brayack© 2006
Posted by WiredNut at 12:16 AM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2006
Nelson Rocks: Via Ferrata Climber Dies
Nelson Rocks, WV.- In a tragic accident, Amanda Joy Crawford of Winchester, Virginia fell to her death while climbing the popular via ferrata at Nelson Rocks Preserve. Apparently she misstepped after unclipping both tethers from the guide wire. More details can be found here: News Article. We extend our sympathies to the family and friends of this young woman.
Posted by WiredNut at 06:06 PM | Comments (0)
New River Gorge: Quickdraws Breaks at the Cirque!
Ana at the Meadow, Photo by Photo by Will Niccolls© 2006Fayetteville, WV.- From Endless Wall, Mad Matt and Tantrikclimber report witnessing a climber falling off an undone project and breaking a sewn webbing quickdraw. Remember that the the worst enemy of webbing is the sun--ultraviolet rays damage nylon and severely weaken it. Matt mentions that the next quickdraw down held the climber's fall but was torn halfway through!
-If you fix quickdraws on a route, use chains. At a sundrenched crag, nylon webbing will degrade to unsafe conditions quickly.
-Use steel biners on the end of a chain, not standard aluminum ones. Ropes will wear sharp grooves in aluminum biners, which can damage your rope and weaken the biner.
-Paint the hangers and chains. Doing so can almost make the draws disappear from the view of casual observers. Colorful webbing stands out like the trash that it is.
Here at the WiredNut world headquarters, we think fixed webbing is a disgrace. Thanks to the folks at NRAC, many routes at Summersville and the New are being reequipped with chain draws and steel biners. Apollo Reed, Mercy Seat, and most of the routes at the Hole are sporting chains.
Posted by WiredNut at 05:45 PM | Comments (0)
September 21, 2006
Red River Gorge Grab Bag!
Slade, KY.- Muir Valley will be hosting the third annual GATHERING (Greater Access To Help Everyone Rejoice In Nature's Goodness). Please mark your calendars and plan to join us during the trail day - September 23-24, 2006. To view the latest issue of the Friends of Muir Valley newsletter, please click on this link:
The RRG Climbers Coalition hosts another Rocktoberfest Oct. 13-15 at Mountain Mark's BBQ. If you miss it you'll miss guests Jason Kehl, Katie Brown, and the Wired Nut.
Posted by WiredNut at 06:06 PM | Comments (0)
September 09, 2006
RRGCC Names Michelle Ellington Volunteer of the Year
From the Board of Directors:
The RRGCC recently made the third annual payment out of ten for the 700 acre Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve in Lee County, Kentucky. As it stands, we have almost a third of the 2007 payment on hand.
A significant portion of fundraising for the 2006 PMRP payment is due to the efforts of the RedRiverClimbing.com website community as spearheaded by Michelle Ellington. For her efforts, Michelle was presented with the RRGCC Volunteer of the Year Award.
In addition to internet fundraising efforts, a $2,500 Climbing Preservation Grant from the Access Fund helped us secure the PMRP this year. The RRGCC would like to congratulate Michelle, and offer its deepest gratitude to her and the Access Fund, as well as all the volunteers who contributed time and money to our ongoing efforts in securing climbing on the PMRP.
Thank you for your support! Keep checking www.rrgcc.org for upcoming events and other RRGCC information.
Posted by WiredNut at 01:26 AM | Comments (0)
September 01, 2006
Carderock and Great Falls Adopt-A-Crag Events
Do your best to attend the 2006 DC Area Access Fun Adopt-A-Crag Events at Carderock on September 9 and Great Falls, September 30. The events are from 9am to 2pm, so show up for check-in at 8:30am
And register first: adoptacrag@dcmetroclimbing.com
Here's your invitation from Thomson Ling, local Access Fund rep.
Dear Climbers,
I would like to invite you to participate in the 2006 DC Area Adopt-A-Crag on:
Saturday, September 9th at Carderock Recreation Area, MD and/or on
Saturday, September 30th at Great Falls Park, VA.
For those of you who have never volunteered at Adopt-A-Crag, these events bring climbing community members together to preserve and maintain the national parks. The DC Area Adopt-A-Crag days along with other Adopt-A-Crag's around the country, make up the largest climbing volunteer effort in history. Photos from previous year's events can be found at: dcmetroclimbing.com.
West Virginia, photo by WiredNutThis years Adopt-A-Crag days come at a critical time when the National Park Service is seriously considering the impact of rock climbers and other recreational users on the environment. The National Park Service has discussed closure of climbing areas as a possible solution. In response to these threats of closures, rock climbers are focusing this year's volunteer work on projects that demonstrate how recreation and conservation can co-exist. For instance, working to maintain trails that run through unique habitats. The goal of this years projects are to demonstrate the dedication of rock climbers to ensuring that the natural resources of climbing as well as the biological diversity of the park are there for future generations of visitors.
Climbers from all over the area as well as many local climbing organizations volunteer at Adopt-A-Crag and it's a great way to give back to your local climbing areas. No experience is necessary, only a willingness to meet and work to ensure that these parks will be here tomorrow.
Please contact me if you who would like to participate in one or both of these Adopt-A-Crag events ( adoptacrag@dcmetroclimbing.com; 301-460-4327).
And if you still aren't convinced, here are ten reasons to volunteer at Adopt-A-Crag...
10. Free T-shirt.
9. Meet lots of interesting people (climbers, hikers, pool boys).
8. You can't remember the last time you did something other than climb.
7. More fun than having Saturday brunch.
6. Chance to win climbing schwag.
5. Good warm up for climbing in the afternoon.
4. Your mom would be proud.
3. Hone your off-road wheelbarrow skills.
2. Did I mention lots of free schwag?
1. Ensure your climbing future!
Sincerely,
Thomson Ling
301.460.4327
Adoptacrag@dcmetroclimbing.com
Posted by WiredNut at 01:22 AM | Comments (0)