Each year the Access Fund recognizes individuals and businesses that volunteer their time and efforts to preserve climbing access and the climbing environment. This year, for his outstanding leadership, the Access Fund's prestigious Reese Martin award was bestowed on Sacramento Pipework's own Brian Poulsen. He is Chairman and a founding member of CRAGS (Climbing Resource Advocates for Greater Sacramento) as well as the Access Fund regional coordinator for California.

According to the Access Fund: "(Brian) has spent dozens of hours working with local climbers and state land managers in an effort to reopen access to the quarry at Auburn State Recreation Area". They went on to say: "Brian has also volunteered his time to advocate for climbing access to Tuolumne Meadows at National Park Service planning meetings in Yosemite." To learn more about Brian, or to help him in his effort to keep climbing accessible for all of us, visit the CRAGS blogsite. Congratulations on your much deserved award, Brian!

Labels: Access Fund, CRAGS, Sacramento Pipeworks

CRAGS (Climbing Resource Advocates for Greater Sacramento) recently hosted the Reel Rock Film Fest at Sacramento Pipeworks as a fundraiser for their advocacy activities. The crowd was estimated at over 150 people and after all expenses, they managed to raise slightly over $1,200. Most of this will go toward hosting the Reel Rock again next year.

Of issues the group is working on, CRAGS Chairman Brian Poulson writes: "Right now, most of our energy is focused on re-opening climbing access in the Auburn State Recreation Area (ASRA). Climbing was banned in the park in 2003 when a climber died there performing a rope jumping stunt. The Auburn Quarry, located within the ASRA, is a spectacular place with about 50 established routes, and potential for over 100 more. The entire area sits just above some amazing swimming holes in the American River and for a backyard crag, is an impressive place. It is truly a tragedy that we lost climbing access to the area, though to date, CRAGS has made some progress. The Auburn City Council recently adopted a resolution drafted by CRAGS, admonishing the ASRA administration and the United States Bureau of Reclamation, to re-open the park for climbers. Both the Auburn City Council and the Mayor were whole heartedly on our side. CRAGS also drafted and adopted a climbing management plan that it submitted to the ASRA administration to guide it in its development of a updated general management plan. Aside from our efforts to improve climbing access, we also hope to continue to help bring the local climbing community together for events that promote friendship and camaraderie like the Reel Rock."

Labels: ASRA, Auburn Quarry, CRAGS

I mentioned it yesterday and I'll mention it again today...When something needs help, something needs doing, or something needs some serious volunteer action, it has become abundantly clear that we are a great group to turn to! I just got some great news that the Adopt-A-Crag event held back on October 11th at Rocklin Boulders was not just a success, it was a HUGE success at that.

The event, hosted by Climbing Resource Advocates for Greater Sacramento (CRAGS), saw a grand total of 44 volunteers showing up for the cleaning, and what's even more impressive, is that all total 172 volunteer hours were logged! When the end of the event finally came, an entire dumpster was filled. What is scary is that it was filled with 14 car tires, 2 shopping carts, a mattress, shelving unit, TV/VCR combo, 20' of chain link fencing and way too much steel strapping and rebar to even mention.

More than anything, we just want to throw out a massive THANK YOU to each and every one of you that participated in the Adopt-A-Crag event, and also to Goodyear Tire Co. for letting us use their dumpster and parking area for the event!

Finally, don't forget that there is a CRAGS Fundraiser this Saturday at Sacramento Pipeworks at 7PM. There will be an awesome screening of the REEL ROCK TOUR and I'm fairly sure you won't want to miss this either. Check out the new CRAGS website for a lot more info on any upcoming events, and once again, Thanks EVERYONE!

Labels: Adopt-A-Crag, CRAGS, REEL ROCK TOUR, Sacramento Pipeworks, Thank You