Reel Rock 2011 Recap

Reel Rock 2011 was awesome! Thank you all so much for coming and an extra big thanks to the volunteers who made it one of the smoothest shows we've done yet and to Pipeworks for donating the gym and some staff members to help out. We couldn't do it without you. Over three hundred local climbers and other rad folks made it to the show this year and the energy was great.

CRAGS's Reel Rock 2011 in numbers:

6 amazing movies.

300 + local climbers plus volunteers and staff.

2 kegs of delicious, local, free beer.

1 food truck serving up tasty, wholesome creations (thanks Mama Kim Cooks!)

1 metric ton of buttered popcorn eaten.

1 truckload of shwag raffled off.

We look forward to seeing you all again next year, just don't slack-line like sketchy Andy.

Sacramento climber Alex Honnold on 60 Minutes

Update on Climbing Prohibition in ASRA

Since its formation in 2008, CRAGS has worked continuously to lift the climbing prohibition in the Auburn State Recreation Area (ASRA). The ASRA is owned by the Federal Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and managed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). CRAGS has met with officials from both agencies over the years to discuss the climbing ban, written numerous letters and other written correspondence, requested and reviewed substantial documentation related to the ban; and lobbied state legislative representatives for support.

One of the challenges in realizing an end of the climbing ban is that the combination of state and federal jurisdiction has often made it difficult to understand who is calling the shots. For example, the climbing ban which began in 2003, was technically issued by the Superintendant of the ASRA, which falls under the jurisdiction of the State DPR. Indeed, as managers of the ASRA, it has been state DPR employees (park rangers) which have enforced the climbing ban. However, it was the Federal BOR that unofficially requested ASRA to issue the climbing ban in the first place, and has continued to instruct DPR to maintain enforcement of the ban.

Recently, CRAGS met with officials from the Federal BOR at the Quarry in the ASRA to discuss lifting the ban. During that meeting, BOR officials would not commit to lifting the ban immediately, but the meeting was positive in dispelling BOR's stated concern of potential danger to climbers from the active mining opperations occuring above the climbing routes in the Quarry. BOR officials did commit to continue discussing the issue internally and respond more formally to CRAGS' request in the coming weeks. CRAGS will continue to push for the cessation of the climbing ban. Stay tuned . . . .

Wow.

Arnaud Petit climbs "Black Bean" 8b on trad gear in Ceüse

REEL ROCK Film Tour 10/15/2011

NEW! Reel Rock 2011 Trailer

Lover's Leap Adopt-A-Crag in Review

The June Adopt-A-Crag was a huge success. Dozens of CRAGS' friends and members converged on the camping area at Lover's Leap on the morning of the 25 and got assignments from the friendly Forrest Service Rangers. After collecting shovels, snacks and work gloves, one group headed up Pony Express to the Hogsback approach while another focused on the approach to the lower buttress. Both focused on reinforcing the existing trails using sustainable methods that would provide for heavy traffic and water-runoff.

A third group stayed in the camping area and emptied fire pits; hauling ash and garbage to the trash area and raking all flammable materials away from the pits. The more artistic volunteers received gallons of brown paint and brushes from the Forrest Service and went to work painting the picnic tables and benches, with the exception of those recently destroyed by neighborhood bears.

To thank the folks at the lodge for hosting the volunteers during dinner, another contingent dragged rakes and shovels down the hill and pulled invasive weeds and plants from the grassy area in front of the lodge, further beautifying and fire-proofing the area. Everyone stayed hydrated and happy and the volunteer time flew by.

As volunteers finished their various projects, several top-ropes were set up and folks shed their work gloved and boots in favor of climbing shoes and chalk bags. Everyone who wanted to got a chance to climb the amazing rock they'd been working to protect and some tried their hands at climbing for the very first time.

When everyone had worked up a sufficient appetite they converged on the lodge for a feast of spaghetti, garlic bread and salad and those of age chose from the bar's excellent selection of brews. When all bellies were full and high-fives were given out, volunteers trudged back up the hill and set up camp. Campfires were started, coolers were emptied and campers eventually fell asleep under the newly spiffy, safe and sustainable Lover's Leap. The next day many people stayed and climbed until they couldn't lift their arms. Thank you very much to all of the volunteers, organizers and staff of the lodge. See you next time!