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January 23, 2007
Access Workshop/Roundtable to Discuss Nelson Rocks Preserve
Bailey's Crossroads, VA.- As you may be aware, Nelson Rocks Preserve has recently been put on the market for sale. Nelson Rocks Preserve is a privately owned outdoor recreation area in West Virginia. The land features many climbing routes, via ferrata climbing, hiking, and camping.
In response to this sale announcement, many climbers have raised the question of "what can we do?" Well, now you can help examine possibilities at this discussion.
Where: REI, Bailey's Crossroads
When: 5-7pm on Saturday, January 27th
Why: Learn about the options for preserving climbing access at Nelson Rocks Preserve and climbing on other private lands in the area.
This meeting will also provide a forum where climbers can get involved and organized about preserving climbing access to Nelson Rocks. If you would like to be involved in saving climbing at Nelson Rocks, please attend!
Posted by WiredNut at 11:50 PM | Comments (0)
January 21, 2007
Red River Gorge Community Mourns the Loss of Mason Allen
Slade, KY.- The Red River Gorge climbing community mourns the loss of Mason Allen. Mason was an avid outdoorsman known for his
Mason Allen impetuousness, quick wit, kind heart, and infectious smile. He loved climbing, hiking, hot-tubbing, and good fun as epitomized in oft-spoken quotes “climb you monkey” and “you need an Irish Carbomb!”
If you ran into Mason at the cliff or the pub, you were sure to be treated with warmth and kindness. If you had never met him it is difficult to illustrate the brilliant energy he brought to this world and the huge sense of loss felt at his passing. Mason is survived by his parents Morgan and Frances Allen, twin brother Lee Allen, sister Kristy Allen Slagle, uncle John Richardson, uncle Reece Richardson, niece s Brooke and Hailey Slagle. In honor of Mason’s dedication to rock climbing, his family graciously requested that memorial contributions be given to the Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition in his name. The RRGCC wishes to thank Mason's family and friends for their thoughtfulness and acknowledge the generosity of the donors who have made donations to the RRGCC in his memory.
For stories from Mason's friends, check this thread on Redriverclimbing.com.
Posted by WiredNut at 03:59 PM | Comments (0)
January 12, 2007
NRG: 5th Annual New River Rendezvous Dates Announced!
Fayetteville, WV.- The New River Alliance of Climbers has announced the dates for this years Rendezvous, so mark your calenders for May 18-20. The Rendezvous is a fund raising event for NRAC, the proceeds go toward: anchor replacement, trail building and maintenance projects, and outreach projects. For the schedule of events or to volunteer, check NewRiverRendezvous.com
Posted by WiredNut at 07:41 AM | Comments (0)
January 04, 2007
NC: Laurel Knob Donations Grow
Photo by Harrison Shull © 2006
North Carolina: Laurel Knob is getting closer to being paid-in-full. The CCC recieved a gift of $2500 made in memory of Doc Bayne from a group of Cashiers locals, some of whom are not even climbers. They wanted to preserve Laurel Knob. A local builder pledged to give $1,000 for each of the next 5 houses he builds in 2007. To donate, visit the Carolina Climbers site.
Posted by WiredNut at 08:07 AM | Comments (0)
January 01, 2007
Torrent Falls, Red River Gorge
Photo by Wes Allan © 2006
Posted by WiredNut at 12:30 PM | Comments (0)
Franklin Trail Work
Franklin, WV.- This dispatch from Roninthorn back in the first week of December. This crew got a LOT of trailwork done! Thanks guys!
Just back from a weekend of trail work and cleanup and climbing at Franklin.HUGE thanks to Nolan LaVoie and the seven incredible young men of the Blue Ridge School who showed up just after sunup on Saturday to bag trash, haul logs, set stone and lay trail in temps that started out at 28F.
Daniel Desenberg (the big man), Chris (with a bullet) Pistell, indomitable Dominic Walker, Taylor Playforth (Mr. Attention to detail), Conner McCormick(who HAD to climb it his way, and did), Alex Stroutmann, who turned out to know as much more about climbing and trail than I had expected from anyone his age, and Bryan Whitford, who was everywhere, doing everything.
These guys worked like twice their number, rebuilding the steps from the parking lot to the wall, lining the trail from there to the boulder field, setting new steps above the big cut, and following it all with a frenzy of climbing and fun that left nothing to the imagination and made my stomach hurt from laughing. We had more fun than most people even know how to have, and after a day of this insanity and a night in sub-freezing conditions, these young tigers wanted to do more!
Gentlemen, I salute you.
Thanks as well to longtime Harrisonburg resident and climber Neil Curtis, who saw a post in passing and showed up in the wee frosty hours to pitch in as runner, cleanup, trail hand and climbing instructor. We couldn't have done it without you, Neil... way to hang tough on SLAP... how sore are your abs?
Honorable mention of intentions to Marika, Joe and friend who showed up just as the trailwork frenzy was winding down... please come back and join us in the future. Sorry about the epic on Wintermute, Joe... and nice job on Early Retirement, M.
And, last but never least, thanks and kudos to my climbing partner and best friend, Michael Fisher, for showing up to brew strong coffee, snap pics, instruct, inform, inspire, ropegun and get 'er done. You're the best, dog.
Posted by WiredNut at 12:26 PM | Comments (0)