Johnny and Alex Crag Day - August 6th

Post by **the lurkist** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:37 pm

Indeed. Bill counted 50+ folks who came out for the crag day. All the trails from the Gallery over to the Volunteer Wall were thoroughly upgrade, several peices of new trail were created. The trail building just kept getting better and better through the day. What was good enough at the beginning of the day was sub standard by the end of the day, and then got re-done by the perfectionist trail crews. Just goes to show, you ask folks for help, you explain generally what needs to be done, and then you leave it up to their judgement to do the best job they can In this case all of the effort were over the top.
The kiosk that KD put up looks great. Shannon and Julie put up the big welcome sign at the beginnig of the Preserve out on Bald Rock Road. Bethel (Kenny's dad) and a crew of stone masons created kick ass steps and stone base under All That Glitters that would make Dan Osman proud. Bob headed up a crew to undertake a civil engineering project of reinfocing the steep slope under the slab routes at the Volnteer Wall. Jeremiah and Jeremy et al totally seshed another steep portion of the trail making it replete with comfortized steps.
Tim Powers, Susko, JJ, and Terry got five new routes put up with enthusiastic bolters.
And the Party kicked ass! The Blind Corn Liqour Pickers full on threw down. Beer was flowing and folks out there cutting the rug (including Jesse, who appeared to be develping his own brand of country punk slam). Raffle items were given away.
It had everything that John would have liked- trial building, new routes, the ring of drills echoing down the hollar, community, and best of all, folks coming out and taking ownership of their property and investing themselves. It is a healthy sign for the RRGCC. John and Alex would be pleased.

Post by **meetVA** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:02 pm

What a great day! Thanks to everyone who participated, gave, and GAVE some more and had fun!! It was truly a day of generosity and community building from all walks of life--climbers, their friends, sponsers, kids and dogs (who else thought Zion was hilarous?).

A lot of hard work goes into preparing and maintaining a crag. I know that the trail building took into consideration the vegetation and climbers alike. Volunteers went in and preplaced anchors. Many people brought their own tools. Work hard, climb hard and play hard was a theme for the day.

The big ticket items...

The two ropes went to charlie and rhunt. Congrats guys! rhunt can be quoted as saying--"It's the best rope I've ever gotten for $10.",
the cabin went to a gentleman I didn't recognize but seemed to be a really nice climber guy with his kid,
...and the book went to a dark horse, a lady that no one I knew knew. She was sitting with the Webers according to rumor so Liz and Rick, if you happen to know, what's the scoop on the lucky lady? People are dying to know.

Again, thanks to everyone for making the 1st annual JACD awesome. Hope to see you all again next year.

Post by **kneebar** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 10:21 pm

What a great turnout, thanks to all. I had a good time. Best part was Terry thinking the sample sunblock was Gu......now that was funny, nothing like trying to get waterproof sunscreen out of your mouth.

Post by **Saxman** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:08 am

Love my Mountair Gear nut tool with Trango locking biner.

Post by **Wes** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:52 am

The new guidebook is super cool, but Mrs. RRO won the *mint* 2nd edition of Johnny's guide, signed by Tina, and that is a sweet thing to have.

Great times for sure. Lots of great work and good times.

Post by **the lurkist** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:42 am

Carol (of Tim and Carol) won the new Pegg/Ellington Guide Book. She and her husband Tim are buds with Rick and Liz. I got a chance to chat with them. Really nice people.

Post by **redpointron** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 2:04 am

after lurking for several years, i tried to register the other day, but somehow messed it up…

on the drive back today, figured that I needed to get it together somehow, then, this cinched it…

meetVA wrote:the cabin went to a gentleman I didn't recognize but seemed to be a really nice climber guy with his kid

that’s me. the “gentleman” makes me feel old (which I kinda am), but the “really nice climber guy” makes me believe that I wasn’t too far out of my element. i am sorry, i should have stepped up, and metVA.

anyway, it was great to be able to attend the evening party. i had planned to come down with my son and i seriously considered turning around saturday morning as we left bloomington in a steady downpour, but I really wanted to attend the JACD. i only met john once, briefly, about six years ago, but i thought it extremely fitting that i share part of my first solo trip to the red with my son celebrating the lives of john and alex.

many thanks to the powers family, the webers, and tim and carol whose hospitality sunday morning, coupled with the the events of saturday night, made for a memorable trip.

it was an honor to be able to attend the 1st JACD…i look forward to the 2nd.

regards.

r.r.

Post by **Wes** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 2:10 am

Some images from Saturday (pardon the crappy flash photography, really need a better flash...)

Post by **dipsi** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 3:00 am

I had a patient I couldn't leave. Am I forgiven?

Really sorry I missed Jesse dancing! Happy to hear the day was a success and a wonderful tribute to two wonderful climbers!

Post by **squeezindlemmon** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:47 am

Looks like ya'll had a great time! Kudos to all the organizers and volunteers.