Fall 2010 Wrap-up

Fall 2010 has been busy!
Here is some info on what the climbers of the Mid Atlantic region were doing!

Great Falls, VA Adopt-a-Crag 9/25/10
Thanks to everyone who came out! We had over 100 volunteers work to complete many different projects throughout the park. Including:

• Building an historic fence
• Invasive species removal
• Trimming of trails
• Building a turnpike and erosion control measures on a popular trail
• Hauling out lots of trash from the gorge

Some people have asked, "Why are climbers trimming a horse-trail?" The answer is simple. By being good stewards of the land, it shows the park service that climbers are committed protecting these precious resources, not just climbing. Maintaining a good relationship between climbers and land managers is ultimately what keeps climbing areas open.

UPDATE: Check out our friend Jeremy Bradford's Flikr album from the event!

Earth Treks Gear Swap 9/25/10
Earth Treks Columbia, once again showed their commitment to the climbing community by hosting a Gear Swap. Climbers we invited to bring in their used gear and sell it consignment style; donating 10% of the gear swap sales to Mid Atlantic Climbers and the Access Fund. Their efforts raised over $100 which will be split between the two organizations for the purpose of preserving climbing access; locally and across the country.

A big thanks to Earth Treks for continuing to be so supportive of the local climbing community and caring about preserving the climbing resources!

Access Fund Summit, Fayetteville, WV 10/2/10 and 10/3/10
Representatives from Mid Atlantic Climbers attended this two-day conference with other Local Climbing Organizations (LCOs) from across the country. The goal of this conference was for LCO's to share information on how to preserve climbing resources. The topics of presentations, panels and workshops ranged from Conservation Easements and Land Acquisition, to liability and recreational use statutes, to membership and fundraising for LCOs.

There was also time for a little climbing, and networking with other LCOs:

• Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition (RRGCC)
  
• Carolina Climbers Coalition (CCC)
  
• Climbing Conservancy of Central Pennsylvania (C3PA)
  
• Climbers Resource Advocates for Greater Sacramento (CRAGS)
  
• Washington Climbers Coalition (WCC)
  
• New River Alliance of Climbers (NRAC)
  

Here is a comprehensive list of Local Climbing Organizations from the Access Fund.

The Summit was sponsored by the Access Fund and the New River Alliance of Climbers with the help of the National Parks Service and local businesses.

UPDATE: Check out this very detailed trip-report written by our friend Renee Ross from CRAGS - also has a couple good pics!

Northwest Branch Adopt-a-Crag 11/13/10

Our last Adopt-a-Crag of the season was another HUGE success. On a perfect fall day and under a beautiful blue sky, 79 volunteers from all over came together to show a local bouldering spot some love.

In the end, we hauled more than 30 big bags of trash and over a dozen bags of recyclables out of the woods. Not to mention: four tires, a big pipe and a couple of chairs. After the cleanup, we had an interesting presentation on the geology and flora/fauna in the park from Montgomery County Park Commission biologist Doug Redmond. And of course, the obligatory bouldering sesh.

Thanks to all our great volunteers who gave up their Saturday morning to work hard and give something back to the community.

Thanks also to our sponsors- we couldn’t have done it without you!

• Patagonia
  
• Eastern Mountain Sports
• Earth Treks
  
• REI
• Whole Foods Markets
  
• Starbucks
• Alice Ferguson Foundation

The SCC's $250k Grant proposal on Pepsi Refresh Project

Do you ever wish you had more money to donate to a good cause?
Of course we do! Now you can help the Southeastern Climbers Coalition win $250,000 to open up two climbing areas in the Southeast!



As many of you know, the Southeastern Climbers Coalition has been doing some amazing things to preserve climbing in the South. They've had some huge success with Boat Rock and Yellow Bluff and now they have their eyes on 2 other climbing areas. But they need your help.

The SCC is competing to win $250,000 in grant money from the Pepsi Refresh Project. Help spread the word and get people to vote! You can vote every day!

Not convinced? Check out this awesome video the SCC put together:

Northwest Branch Adopt-a-Crag

Northwest Branch has some great boulders with sharp crimps, quartz crystals and unfortunately some graffiti.

If you haven't been, it’s a beautiful wooded and boulder-strewn ravine, nestled between suburban neighborhoods in Silver Spring, MD.

Come out and help to preserve and protect this local climbing resource as we clean up trash and debris, and do trail maintenance.


NORTHWEST BRANCH
ADOPT-A-CRAG:
Saturday November 13th, 2010
8am to 12:00pm

After a morning of hard work, we’ll give away some door prizes, and have a presentation on the geology of the area. Bring your shoe's and chalk (pad's if you have them) and sample some of the local stone.

What to Bring:
Sturdy Shoes, Work Gloves, Water Bottle, Climbing Shoes for bouldering after Clean-Up

Sponsors:
Mid-Atlantic Climbers, Earth Treks, Patagonia, REI, Starbucks, Alice Ferguson Foundation and of course the Access Fund the people who created Adopt-a-Crags.

Event held in conjunction with the Maryland-National Capital Park Planning Commission

To preregister, please email: adoptacrag@midatlanticclimbers.org

Free Film screening at PATAGONIA store in Georgetown Sun 9/12

Mid Atlantic Climbers would like to invite you to a free screening Magnolia Pictures's "180 South" at PATAGONIA store in Georgetown.




The film follows adventurer Jeff Johnson as he retraces the epic 1968 journey of his heroes Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia.

Mid Atlantic Climbers will be hosting an Information Table to provide you with info
about:
- upcoming Adopt-a-Crag projects
- local access issues and,
-opportunities to volunteer
- buy a t-shirt or AF/MAC membership to support the cause.

So stop by, say hello and enjoy the film!

"180 South" by Chris Malloy and Magnolia Pictures
Sunday, September 12th, 2010
6pm

PATAGONIA Store

1048 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Washington, DC 20007

Great Falls Adopt-a-Crag 2010

Welcome to the Fall!

Fall brings crisp temperatures and good friction, the Triple Crown, and of course...

The 8th Annual Mid Atlantic Climbers Great Falls Adop-a-Crag!

This year, the Adopt-a-Crag coincides with National Public Lands day. Our efforts to preserve our local climbing resource will be mirrored by thousand of projects and volunteers all across the country.

At Great Falls National Park, VA we will be focusing our efforts on trash-removal at the climbing sites and along the riverbank, as well as re-blazing (marking) trails.

After a morning of hardwork, we'll get together for a bar-be-que and local climbing legend John Greggory will present a discussion on the history of climbing along the Potomac River. We'll also have some door prizes and a gift for every volunteer (Hint: its not a t-shirt this year).

Make sure you bring work clothes, gloves and water for the morning, an appetite for the BBQ, and climbing gear for the afternoon!


The 8th Annual Mid Atlantic Climbers Adop-a-Crag!
Location: Great Falls Nat'l Park, VA

Saturday, September 25th 2010

Check-in 8am
9-12noon

please RSVP with the number of volunteers in your party to adoptacrag@midatlanticclimbers.org

Free Training Clinic with Paul Robinson

You may have heard that Paul Robinson has been in town throwin down at Earth Treks Timonium...

We just got word that Paul will be hosting a Free System Board Training Clinic, next week! Its free to ET members, but its going to fill up VERY FAST! This will be a great opportunity for some local climbers to see what it takes to bring their climbing to the next level.

The best part is that Earthtreks is actively encouraging Donations and all proceeds will go to the Access Fund!

More Details:
Tuesday 6-29-10
Wednesday 6-30-10
At Earthtreks Timonium.
Earthtreks blog
These clinics are free, but only open to Earthtreks members.
It will fill VERY FAST, call to register.

Conrad Anker: The Wildest Dream: The Conquest of Everest

Date: 8/7/2010

Event Location: Bailey's Crossroads REI

Event Fee: Free

Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Join American mountaineer Conrad Anker for a rare behind-the-scenes look at the story behind The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest, the new National Geographic film in which he stars. Conrad will share his experiences on Everest, ranging from his discovery of the body of legendary climber George Mallory in 1999, to making the new film - a compelling account of adventure and courage on his recent climb to the top. With spectacular film footage, stunning photos, and thrilling stories, Conrad will show you how he retraced George Mallory's steps to the summit of Everest in an attempt to provide new clues to the enduring mystery of his disappearance.

Conrad will be here at REI Bailey's for a presentation at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 7th.

Address:

Bailey's Crossroads REI

3509 Carlin Springs Rd

Bailey's Crossroads, VA 22041

(703) 379-9400

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