Beddows Update, August 2014

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We did it. After two years of working with the State Land Board and the local land lessee, SoCO CRAG was  allowed one day of legal climbing access to Beddows Dome.  A special use permit was issued  for one day of use on July 26. A total of 18 Westcliffe and Pueblo climbers met up for a spectacular time on the domes cracks, plates, and chickenheads. Seven trad lines were lead by local rockstars. A fantastic time was had by all on the best trad lines in the Wet Mountains. Thanks to all the help the Access Fund provided in terms of technical support and event insurance. This was a one time event, with climbing still seen as an illegal use of Beddows Dome.   We hope that this single day of access will be seen by the state and our partners as a positive example of compatible use for future expansion.

 

 

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September Social, 2014

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW … and line up your babysitters… for Thursday, September 4! SoCO CRAG will be meeting for a late summer meeting/social at the Gold Dust Saloon in Pueblo. Meet us at 6:30pm to socialize, followed by our fun meeting at 7. This is your chance to network with other area climbers, plan autumn trips and to hear first-hand the latest from SoCO CRAG. Jason Wilson will also be presenting on his recent climbing trip to Africa.  Come join us, and bring a friend! See you on the back patio.

New Climbs on Private Land

John Castanha has once again offered to open his land to climbers for one day. His property near Rye has untouched sandstone boulders and cliffs. He is willing to host up to 20 climbers on Saturday, May 17, 2014. If you are interested,  contact trip leader Chris Oshiro (330) 701-9066  to be added to the guest list.

2014 Spring/Summer Social

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW … and line up your babysitters… for Friday, May 9! SoCO CRAG will be meeting for a spring/early summer meeting/social at the Gold Dust Saloon in Pueblo. Meet us at 6:30pm to socialize, followed by our fun meeting at 7. This is your chance to network with other climbing enthusiasts, plan summer trips and to hear first-hand the latest from SoCO CRAG. Please join us, and bring a friend! See you on the back patio.

2013/14 Winter Meeting

SoCO CRAG’s 2013/14 Winter Meeting will be held Thursday,  January 23, 2014 at 6pm.    See you for  food, drinks and talk of  rock, boulders and ice.  We’ll be planning this spring’s climbing comp, trips,  ideas for community outreach and updates on Beddows Dome and other access. See you at Manhattans Pizza, HWY 50.

Bring a friend,
Ben Bruestle
Pueblo, CO

719-924-4297

2014, 2nd Annual Climbing Competition

 

 

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The 2nd Annual SoCO CRAG / Pueblo YMCA  Community Climbing Competition was a huge success. The comp grew to 35 competitors. All ages and abilities  competed on Sunday Feb 16, 2014 at the Pueblo YMCA climbing wall. Women’s Grand Champion is Isabella Montoya and Men’s Grand Champion Will Frindle. Top scorers in the Youth Division are Kyla Garrison, Aubreyana Ruybol, Silvia Bertoud andAlex Krenz. Teen placers are Azaria Segall, Sage Martin and Kaitlen Smith. Adult placers are Drake Dinero, Rebecca Bersagel and Dane Gomez. Rock Jock placers are Adam, Nick and Amber. The Master’s class placers are Kurt Bersagel, Randy Rerth, Jeremy Kastner, Holly Bruestle, Renee Hildebrandt and Laura. We appreciate all the event  donors  and sponsors: Red Chili, Mad Rock, Sterling Rope, Black Diamond, Pikes Peak Alpine School, Wendy’s, Subway, The Edge. Prizes were awarded to top finishers in the youth, Junior, Rock Jock, and Masters  divisions. SoCO CRAG thanks all the CSU-P  volunteers that helped route set. A big thanks to all the SoCO CRAG volunteers that helped judge and belay: Adam, Alex, James, Jeff, Jason, Jarrett.

Beddows Dome Update-October 2013

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The State Land Board wants to hold off on making a decision about allowing climbing at Beddows Dome until Parks & Wildlife are able to assess the raptor situation. The State Land Board is giving Parks & Wildlife until July 2014 to complete the raptor study. We will be working with the other land users during that time to find an access solution that works for all parties involved.

2013 Tanner Dome Adopt a Crag

IMG_0761 IMG_0747 IMG_0748 IMG_0762IMG_0763 SoCO CRAG’s fourth annual Adopt a Crag was  held Saturday, September 7, 2013 . 30 volunteers including  SoCo CRAG members, CSU-Pueblo Outdoor Pursuits leaders, international students and local climbers met with the Forest Service trail crew and worked on the East Bear Gulch trail below Tanner Dome.   Water bars were constructed,  scrub oak was cut back, and trash was cleaned. Thanks to James Lopez for supplying Taste of Philly wraps for lunch. We reconvened Saturday night for a cookout, campfire and camping  at the nearby Oak Creek Campground. Thanks to the American Alpine Club and CSU-P Outdoor Pursuits for cosponsoring the cookout. Thanks to Outdoor Pursuits Director Scott Robertshaw for bringing over 20 volunteers and manning the burger and braut grill. Sunday,  CSU-Pueblo Outdoor Pursuits  treated everyone to breakfast before heading back up to Tanner Dome. The day was spent enjoying the fruits of our labors climbing on Tanner Dome.

 

Beddows Mountain Access Update

 

The Colorado State Land Board  has received the Recreational Use application for Beddows Mountain. The Land Board will be meeting sometime in 2014 to discuss SoCO CRAG’s/Access Fund’s case of allowing rock climbing at Beddows Dome. SoCO CRAG and the Access Fund are asking for an introductory four year lease. The lease fee is $500 per year to the Land Board. In the next few weeks the Land Board will be doing an on site survey of Beddows Mountain. The Land Board is also taking comments from both current leases, Colorado Parks and Wildlife  and The Five Star Ranch.

Spring First Ascents

IMG_5255IMG_5260SoCO 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.