Event Reports

SoCO CRAGgers had a great time climbing new lines May 4, 2013. A private property owner in Rye, CO  opened his virgin cliffs and boulders to 10 climbers for one day only this spring. New toprope, boulder and highball problems were put up on beautifully patinaed  sandstone cliffs. The day finished off with grilled burgers back at the landowners cabin. We look forward to returning this autumn.

The SoCO CRAG / Pueblo YMCA Community Climbing Competition held March 3, 2013 at the Pueblo YMCA climbing wall was a success. Thanks to SoCO CRAGers Jason Wilson, and James Lopez along with the CSU-P Climbing Club and the YMCA climbing staff for the great routes they set. Also, thanks to all the raffle prize sponsors: The Edge: Ski, Paddle, and Pack; Chipotle, Wendy’s, and the Access Fund. 15 youth and adults cranked stiff boulder and toprope routes for three hours. Prize ribbons were then awarded to the top three finishers in the youth and adult divisions. A good time was had by all. See you at the competition this autumn.

SoCO CRAG’s third annual Adopt-a-Crag  was held  Sunday, October 21, 2012 .  A group of dedicated Wet Mountain climbers from Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and Canon City met at 9:30 Sunday morning. They quickly moved to clearing and brushing the trail to the Sub -C Wall and the C Wall. This was the most TLC these trails had seen since there creation a decade ago.  A delicious lunch was provided by Taste of Philly.  Nelson was presented with a new 70 meter rope as token of appreciation for all his route development in the area. Volunteer T-shirts and trail snacks were provided by Chipopachui and the Access Fund.   The afternoon concluded with climbing at the Sub-C Wall on a gorgeous October day. A great time was had by all.

Sunday morning, September 18, rangers and local climbers joined forces for the Wet Mountain Adopt-a-Crag.  The day began with the 3-mile-long drive down the rocky, dirt FR 320 deep into the Wet Mountains. SoCo CRAG and the Pueblo YMCA climbing wall had a strong showing.  The willingness and eagerness of the volunteers was outstanding. 

The first order of business at the #1320 trailhead was handing out the official 2011 SoCo CRAG/Adopt-a-Crag t-shirts that were generously donated by Chipopachui.

Then, after a brief introduction by myself and the Forest Service we were off to work.  We all headed down the trail brushing overgrown scrub oak as well as cleaning and creating waterbars.

Halfway down the San Carlos Trail to the St. Charles River brushing and clearing the main trail, it was time for nutrients.  James Lopez busted out a late lunch.  He had donated delicious turkey, veggie, and Italian “Taste of Philly” wraps as well as chips, granola bars and chilled bottled water.  Thanks James.

With our energy renewed, everyone was back to work helping to mitigate water drainage and erosion on the main trail leading to the crag.  I made sure everyone got Access Fund and Chipopachui stickers.  Everyone went home with Chipopachui and Access Fund goodies.

After the trail had been brushed and waterbarred all the way down to the rivercrossing, the anchors on the slabs of Goliath Gorge were the next objective.  We headed downstream to the cliff.  All the open coldshuts (rams horns) hangers were replaced with beefy Metolious Rap Hangers donated by James Lopez and a Petzl set donated by the Anchor Replacement Initiative.  Anchor hangers were replaced on:

-Phantasm 5.9-
-Fantasia 5.10c
-Surf Colorado 5.9
-and the rightmost 5.9

As I finally hiked back up to the trailhead at the end of the day I couldn’t believe all the work that had been completed.  We accomplished quite a bit on a half mile of switchbacking trail.  I’m sure that everyone is already looking forward to next year.

A huge thanks to everyone that spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon with perfect climbing weather working on trails and anchors instead.  A special thanks to the Forest Service (Lake Isabel Trail Crew: Mike, Randy & Cody) for supporting this event from the idea phase through the execution of the event.  Thanks also to the Access Fund, James Lopez and Taste of Philly, Matt Buck with Chipopachui, Jason Wilson, Jeremiah Tucker and ARI for all your hard work and support.

The 2nd annual Wet Mountain Adopt-a-Crag at Goliath Gorge was a success.

Ben Bruestle

SoCo CRAG

Pueblo, CO

As an event organizer you always wonder if people will show.  The Forest Service was blown away.  The USFS said that when groups say they will need tools for 15 volunteers only two usually show.  We had 18 climbers show!

I was psyched to see so many people show up, with climbers from SoCo CRAG, City Rock Climbing Center, Pueblo YMCA climbing wall, and Colorado College making an appearance.  The diversity was also tremendous: a father and his son, a nanny and her girl, college students, and a good mix of dedicated climbers.  The willingness and eagerness of the volunteers were outstanding.

After a brief introduction at the trailhead by myself and the Forest Service we were off to work.  We split into two groups and worked on brushing trail as well as cleaning and creating water bars.

After brushing and clearing the main trail, a crew of climbers spent a couple of hours on the overgrown slope beneath the Wild Side and some boulder problems, clearing scrub oak.  They moved some very large boulders and made a trail leading through the maze of rocks and ledges.  What a difference this will make for the safety of others and the comfort of belayers and spotters.

Another group of people helped to mitigate water drainage and erosion on the main trail leading to the crag.  I spent the first hour of the event checking in some of the late arrivals and getting them Clif Bars, Nalgene bottles, AF stickers, and chalk bags.  Just about everyone went home with something.  As I finally hiked up to the crag I couldn’t believe all the work that had been completed.

After the work was called off a few people stuck around to boulder while others sport climbed and replaced belay station anchors on KC and Bam Bam.  We accomplished quite a bit.  I’m sure that many will look forward to next year.

A huge thanks to all those that showed up, including the Forest Service (Lake Isabel Trail Crew) for supporting this event from the idea phase through the execution of the event.  We’ve committed to putting it on again next year.

Thanks to the Access Fund, US Forest Service, Chris G, Chris M, Jason, Ambree, Ashley, Byron, Josh, Dave, Jose, Jose Jr., Anthony, Jeremiah, Nathan, Edward, Hannah, Tyler, and Ben R.

Needless to say the Newlin Creek Adopt-a-Crag was a tremendous success.

Ben Bruestle

SoCo CRAG