On their shoulders

[pigsteak]

With all the recent craziness and bickering, it got me to thinking about what/who I was thankful for in the climbing community. I realize this list is huge for many of us, so I thought I'd start this thread for us to say a big "thank you" for those who have come before us, who have inspired us, or have played an important role in defining the climbing community at the Red.

To the first crew of developers in Muir Valley, thank you. Jared and Karla, JJ Jones, Tim Powers, and Mike Susko. Your energy , time and money were well spent. Some classics were born. The current crew of developers have it easier walking in your footsteps.

Matt and Amy Tackett for loving the Red enough to want to make it home, and give us all a second home with RRO.

Jeff Kennedy, digging in thru the good times and the bad.

Of course, thank you to the Ventura's. It seemed to have all started there.

Porter Jarrad, for having the vision.

To every board member of RRGCC past and present, for keeping your eye on the ball.

Johnny and Ray and Michelle, for guidebooks that inspire us all to get out and just climb.

For all private lanowners (Rick and Liz Weber, Bob Matheny, Grant Stephens and John Haight, et al) who allow us access when it is probably in their best interests to not do so.

The tireless guys at Team Suck (Blake and Wes for sure) who amaze me with their behind the scenes bolt replacement that offers nothing to them but allows all of us a margin of safety.

Terry Kindred, for being the first person to tell me my anchor placement sucked, and to give me a 10 minute lecture on why. I hope I am better for knowing you.

Michelle Ellington, Morgain Sprague, and Bentley Brackett, for filling the gap and raising huge amounts of money for the PMRP when the chips were down.

Paul Vidal and Yasmeen Fowler, always giving behind the scenes, and never demanding the attention.

Mark "Snake" Jackson for always being there for the heavy lifting that goes unrecognized.

Charlie Crittenberry for his astute vision and diplomatic advice. You, my friend, have bit your tongue and rose above when I would not.

Our community is amazing.

Your turn.

[caribe]

Thanks to Mr. P. Steak for all the hardware and time that he put into Muir, and the PMRP.

[DriskellHR]

Nice gesture piggy. Ditto

Thanks to mother earth (or God) for providing a wonderful playground

[rhunt]

Shannon Stwart-Smtih for keeping climbing open in the DBNF - we would only have the private land if it weren't for her.

[anticlmber]

my mentore(s) who showed me quiet patience and a big smile make the day so much better and to help those just starting out to be the best they can be.

for all of the above mentioned for many of the same reasons.

i thank the locals for not getting into climbing because then it would be way maore crowded and THEY coulkd actually use the "local" tag.

all the haters out there, both in climbing and out of it. you are the ones who make me and others push ourselves to unimaginable hieghts. without you coming down on me i'd have no reason to get back up.

to all the beautiful women of the gorge out there, thank you for adding to the scenery and providing great smiles.

and most of all thanks to those who dream and do for this sport in a positive way. one devoid of numbers and egos and that simply functions to benefit the whole community.

thanks

[charlie]

I am flattered to be mentioned in this list and having known and seen so many things around here I can't even begin to list them all right now.

Everyone that I have shared a rope with and those of you that have made me laugh I thank you. Especially thanks go out to the volunteers and developers and those of you that help secure and improve climbing access here and everywhere.


Special thanks to the fabulous girls and beautiful people that make this place so special.

[Wes]

The tireless guys at Team Suck (Blake and Wes for sure) who amaze me with their behind the scenes bolt replacement that offers nothing to them but allows all of us a margin of safety.

This is a vile and untrue rumor. We do it for the beer: http://www.teamsuckclimbing.com/bolt.php click the beer link on the right....

[tomdarch]

I love arguing with Piggie, but you're absolutely right on with this - great call for thanking everyone!

The more places I climb, the more I realize just how great the Red is and these people (and lots of others who've done lots of small, important things like building/repairing trails or just picking up some other schmuck's trash...) made it possible to enjoy the rock so much.

[SCIN]

Route developers. Keep em' comin.

[gus]

Thanks to all of you that have made the Red our second home...from getting the occasional cucumber and avocado pits on our pizza, having anti and Katie spending quality time with Donny while some unknown people disassemble anti’s car, but most of all realizing what a group of friends can really do together. In no way could you ever capture the community and the extraordinary people who keep us together with words. To Katie and I a simple smile, the crack of a beer, and the continuous rant of fat jokes make it a special place.