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Western Mass Rendezvous

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Joe M · · MA and NH · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 11,725

Support the Western Massachusetts Climbers Coalition and have a great time at the 5th annual Western Mass Rendezvous. More info here:

Western Mass Rendezvous

Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945

Awesome... Great event I highly recommend attending!

And Daaaaaaamn.... what a line up of Events this year WMCC really going all out!

Caz Drach · · C'Wood, UT · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 310

Awesome...Looking forward to it!

javd von dauber · · East Brookfield MA · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 91

Support WMCC anyway you can, especially if you climb areas like Farley. I always make it a habit to drop money in the box at the Farley parking lot because they've done great things to secure or preserve access to great crags in western mass.

Joe M · · MA and NH · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 11,725

WMCC has definitely done great things in Western Mass!

Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945

WMCC is da BOMB yo...

Maybe they can come down to CT and start doing stuff for us too...

Clearly RMF is a joke and right now it seems like they also support the chopping of routes so... there's an open spot for a capable and accomplished LCO/Land Manager.

Back Story: A small local crag had bolts smashed over in the days just before the RMF Annual Picnic (Aug 2014), at the location of the picnic, and they haven't said anything, made any comments condemning the chopping, nothing. When I asked why there was no response or asked for comments on them holding some responsibility the issue was ignored.

At this point, unless I hear otherwise, they and their members supported and were behind the smashing of these bolts. They host an event and the location of the event is chopped and folks are supposed to think it wasn't RMF members?

WMCC - please help us!

Joe M · · MA and NH · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 11,725

I have definitely thought they should change their name to the New England Climbers Coalition and consolidate all the access groups in the NE....

Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945
Joe M. wrote:I have definitely thought they should change their name to the New England Climbers Coalition and consolidate all the access groups in the NE....
This is a great idea. . . there was some discussion about involving them in CT access issues because they are functional group with 501c3 and work to promote all climbers/climbing. I would bet that if they hosted an event and there was a chopping at the same location that week they would have come out and said something.
Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945

I think it's important for ALL NEW ENGLAND climbers to support this group... not only with your pen but with your wallets...

And Joe I think you've got a great idea! Maybe one day. . .

javd von dauber · · East Brookfield MA · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 91

That's too bad the bolts were cut/smashed just before the RMF. I don't get it.

What about at least bolting the top of Ragged to save the trees and erosion... A few top anchor bolts would go a long way....

S. Neoh · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 35

I would gladly donate (and have donated) to WMCC on the great work they have done for Farley alone, tho Farley is by no means the only place they are doing fine work at.
That said, I believe the success of WMCC has a lot to do with "keeping it local". If CT, NH, VT were to get thrown into the mix, the challenges become exponentially greater. In other words, I do not think the good work is easily scalable across state lines. Though a bit of comparing apples to oranges, I am also impressed by the good work Red River Gorge CC has and continue to do down in KY. Both groups have energetic close-knit group of locals who know the local crags well and hold some sway with the local land owners and businesses. Even the perception of having active out-of-state participation ("outside interest") in the governance of Climbers Coalition can undercut the effectiveness of the coalition. It is a strange world out there.

Support WMCC, please!

Joe M · · MA and NH · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 11,725

You are probably right, though, in some cases, past successes can be used to build new ones in new geographic areas...

javd von dauber · · East Brookfield MA · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 91

I agree with Neoh. I think other local groups might want to use WMCC as a model of how to secure or open access for climbing. They have been very successful.

On another note, no matter what organization worked to promote climbing in CT, you're still going to have that group (bolt cutters etc) working against them. For that reason, Ct will always be in the stone ages.

Joe M · · MA and NH · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 11,725

Once their "leader" moves on (he is pretty old), that group will hopefully fall apart...

Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945
javd wrote:I agree with Neoh. I think other local groups might want to use WMCC as a model of how to secure or open access for climbing. They have been very successful. On another note, no matter what organization worked to promote climbing in CT, you're still going to have that group (bolt cutters etc) working against them. For that reason, Ct will always be in the stone ages.
I guess I don't see the bolt cutters working against those in the RMF. Rather the opposite. I think they are friendly/friends with the choppers and likely call them their either their members or friends of members. It was once stated to me by board members that they have absolutely zero issue with Ken Nichols, despite years of well documented issues between the RMF and Ken. So much so that Ken has actually trespassed onto their property at one point and smashed holds on the cliff. An act no other climber has been accused of... yet they don't have any issues with him. Strange stuff you can't make up...

EVEN MORE OF A REASON TO....

SUPPORT THE WMCC

and

Attend the rendezvous because it's an awesome event by awesome people.
javd von dauber · · East Brookfield MA · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 91

I didn't mean RMF... I meant any other climbers coalition... Such as the suggestions that wmcc should advocate for other areas, other than wmass. I don't agree that they should but in an ideal world, other groups, such as rmf,would use their progress as a model to work towards the greatness that wmcc has obtained.

If what I've heard lately is true, in addition to conversations that I have had with members, it appears they do not condemn those who are bolt cutting but seem to silently support it.

These are the same people that would be and are sabotaging progress to be made in ct. Progress such as installing top anchors where suitable anchors are back from the edge snd where trees are being damaged and erosion is taking place.

Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945
javd wrote:I didn't mean RMF... I meant any other climbers coalition...
lol
Joe M · · MA and NH · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 11,725

It's hard to believe that the RMF wouldn't condemn bolt chopping under any circumstances. As far as land manager's see it, bolt chopping is vandalism, nothing more, nothing less, and only serves to threaten access...

Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945
Joe M. wrote:It's hard to believe that the RMF wouldn't condemn bolt chopping under any circumstances. As far as land manager's see it, bolt chopping is vandalism, nothing more, nothing less, and only serves to threaten access...
If you take a strict reading of CT statues, altering the rock is vandalism, thus the placement of the gear is considered the 'real' vandalism, the smashing maybe is righting a wrong to them? IDK they haven't said anything. . . hopefully they will soon. I'm sure if they do their statement will be very lawyerly and will go out of its way in condemning all parties, but especially those placing the fixed gear.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northeastern States
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