my suggestion? the climbing gyms.clif wrote:soo, i wonder, all these people, coming into climbing from where? what is the best strategy to inculcate them before they head to the Red or anywhere else?
Sure, they put up a "rrgcc" sticker or a poster every once in a while, but that's where it ends...and it makes me sick. (Most) of the gyms in the region don't take it any step farther, despite the fact that the RRG is responsible for a lot of their business (hard to calculate, but impossible to deny). Many of their members go from the gym to the crag without any change in mentality. It's treated like an extension of their local gym, but almost nobody pays $50/month to climb at the red. (unless you count 'gas money', which, doesn't count at all. sorry)
If your local gym has a poster of someone climbing a classic at the Red, but they never host benefit comps... ask them why.
From what I recall, Hoosier heights (and maybe a gym in lousiville?) do some benefit comps to raise money every once in a while, and they deserve props for it. EKU's last comp in richmond donated all of the profit to the coalition. But most gyms don't care enough to do that, and I think it's a wasted opportunity. Sure, it may only generate a few hundred bucks, but getting that message out to the young gym folk is what's more important. They need to realize that the Red is not an extension of their local gym.
It makes me sick when a gym only a couple hours from the red will readily host a comp for ABS (influencing nothing but someone's ego), but they never think to host a comp for Muir Valley, or for the PMRP. Comps are fun, they generate business, bring in customers from far away, and they can raise awareness about a good cause like saving access to the RRG. And in terms of the 'hassle' of putting on a production like that, my guess is that many of the people who won't drive all the way to the Red for a trail day might still volunteer an afternoon in their home town to set routes, coordinate a comp, and have a good time with their buddies. I know I would.
At the very least, if you're a climbing gym that isn't actively involved in promoting the right attitude to your members, then at least take down the damn posters that glorify the Red. You're not doing it any favors. You're just a taker like everyone else who's part of the problem.