Thanks to all the Volunteers - who responded to our call to help repair and restore climber's paths and staging areas at Pinnacles National Park. This year's Adopt-a-Crag was a wonderful success. Climbers came from near and far and represented several groups from our greater community with strong representation from Salinas Valley Mountaineers, CSU Monterey Bay - Outdoor Adventures, Pacific Edge Gym - Santa Cruz, The American Alpine Club - Sierra Nevada Section and several individual climbers from diverse areas: Yuba City, Oakhurst, San Francisco & Peninsula cities, the East Bay plus the Monterey Peninsula, Marina, Salinas and King City! This years Distance Award goes to Mike Morin and Amanda Peterson - the awesome Access Fund Conservation Team who's racked up more miles then they can remember. We attracted "drop-ins" too - weekend climbers who were drawn to our energy and saw our purpose. Fair to say - everyone had a good time... while creating some great results. All are looking forward to next year's Appreciation Days - the fellowship, teamwork, raffle and (of course) climbing!
Thanks to Pinnacles National Park and Staff - for hosting this event and allowing us to support them in their work and dedication to preserving the Park's resources for all to enjoy. The careful planning by Trails Supervisor James Bouknight kept over 75 individual Volunteers busy right up to climb time. Cudos to NPS Volunteers too - John, Dawn, Gavin, Alacia, Scott, Ariana & Emilie. Special thanks to Karen Dorn-Beppler, Superintendent - who came out early Friday morning to share her welcome and is a strong supporter of Volunteer programs benefitting our newest National Park... and one of my favorite places to climb.
Thanks for your continued support. Due to many offers and interest, we are formulating a program to further develop and practice skills while completing projects started this October and last year. We envision a new wave CCC - the Climbers Conservation Corps - to meet this challenge and support further restoration and maintenance projects. Our format will balance volunteer work and climbing with a few "work-a-day, climb-a-day" weekends scheduled late Winter and Spring 2015. Space will be limited to 6-8 climbers on an advanced sign up basis.