The 2009 Fall Beanfest is being held on the weekend of November 7 & 8, 2009 in the west Cochise Stronghold at Sheepshead. As tradition has it, the climbing community provided Beanfest bean burrito potluck dinner will be Saturday evening beginning at 4:30PM. After dinner there will be the community beaning and some fun evening events. (There may be some climbing events during the day to be announced later).

THE POTLUCK: The Beanfest started on Mt. Lemmon somewhere around thirty years ago by a group of climbers that appear to have been university students and friends who had climbed together and then had finished school, had moved away or slowly drifted apart due to the callings of life. One year, they all agreed to bring bean burrito fixings and sides (refried beans, tortillas, chips, salsa, grated cheese, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, sliced onions, liquid refreshment, etc.) enough for them-self and one or two others. This was the beginning of the Beanfest and is the spirit of this Fall 2009 Beanfest.

The Bean Master for the 2009 Fall Bean Master is Steven Johnson of Tucson, please contact him at 520 795-1073 to coordinate your additional contributions to the food beyond what is indicated in the "THE POTLUCK:" paragraph. If you have other cooking utensils, eating items (cups, plats, flatware), stoves, tables, etc. that you would like to offer, please contact him to coordinate those items. Also, the Bean Master is looking to the climbing community for monetary assistance with the purchase of the liquid refreshment and the T-shirts printing expenses which tend to be exorbitant.

See you there on November 7th & 8th, 2009 for a few days of climbing, fun and socializing.

Steve,
Here is a little additional Beanfest history. I attended one of the earliest 'fests held in Bear Canyon. As I recall, the event was started in the early '80s by John Steiger who published the first guide to Mt. Lemon and later became the editor for Climbing magazine (at least for a while.) The event was conceived as a local rock climber, Mexican food, pot-luck party held after a day of heavy climbing on the mountain. There were only about 20-30 folks at that early event and it was pretty calm compared to later more "out of control" 'fests. All of the folks in attendance were part of the Tucson climbing community which was pretty small at the time and certainly included a lot of U of A students. The ritual of the beaning came about as an impromptu decision about what to do with all of the re-fried beans left over in a big pot. Alcohol and other chemical indulgences certainly played a big part in the development of the ritual. Later that night, after the beaning and more heavy drinking, I remember John Sherman loudly complaining that, "We need some tunes." He recruited a bunch of guys to go down to the parking lot, carry a Volkswagon bug up over a retaining wall, and to set it down next to the camp fire. He then opened the doors and turned on the radio full blast. Satisfied, he finally collapsed in dirt near the fire. I never did find out how the owner of that VW ever got his car back out of the campground the next day. It was trapped behind an 18" stone retaining wall after everyone disappeared to do more hungover climbing. Somehow Steiger's idea took life and the Beanfest has survived as a Tucson tradition for over 25 years. Have a blast!
John Hayes

I dont know what I am more excited for... the Beanfest or the Cochise Clean Up!!!

John, thanks for the piece of Beanfest history. I've pieced several starts for the Beanfest, Dave Baker provided a version that appears to have the history with the start in the Stronghold. He is getting more history from his wife Irene.

Shiloh, any time the climbing community comes together it is good. Both are good climbing community activities. See you at each.

I can't wait for Beanfest! :) Hey Steven we should climb soon, its been a while

Beanfest T-shirts

Short-sleeved t-shirts will be $15
Long-sleeved t-shirts will be $20

Please bring cash and see Steven Johnson. First come, first served - get 'em while they're hot!

If you have any old carabiners that you can donate to a worthy cause, please bring them to Beanfest.

More info:

http://mountainproject.com/v/arizona__new_mexico/we_need_you>>>>>

Thanks!

Brigette, thanks for your posts.

I've been asking people to bring pots to cook and warm things (beans) up in. Though, I have neglected to ask that equitably sized utensils (spoons) come with for stirring. If your bringing pots please bring a utensil big enough to stir and serve with.

The T-shirts have arrived in colors of desert sand, Kiwi, dill and grey (long sleeve only). There are 30 short sleeve and 10 long sleeve. We can order more after the beanfest if needed. I'm Picking up the rest of the prizes tomorrow.

I'm going down on Thursday, November 5, 2009 to save the site and to start setting up. The weather is suppose to be much warmer than this weekend (Halloween).

See you there!

Gonna be FUN!!!

I hope im not too hung over to climb Sunday like last year :)

Cant wait!

Steven,

Is there anything in particular you need still for the potluck?

Steven's already down there, so I'll give you the last info I heard: The main dish is covered (looks like we'll be swimming in beans and tortillas). Sides, snacks, and desserts would be good. More beer wouldn't go to waste.

Be sure to bring cash if you'd like a shirt, and if you can donate anything additional to offset the cost of the beer that the Beanmaster is providing, I'm sure he'd appreciate the heck out of you.

See y'all down there! Can't wait!!!

Please remember that our wonderful Bean Master lost his job recently (mine goes away end of March) so please be generous and help Steve out. Bring enough cash so all his costs are covered and he has perhaps some for later. Good luck job hunting, Steve!!!! My thoughts are with you, Bro!

Bill: Great sentiment!

I have revised my remarks! Thanks Brigette!

Me three.

It appears I will be able to make it after all. Is there anything left to bring???

Are there normally dogs at the Beanfest or is it normally dog free?

Yeah, Mike, bring the climbing harem. ;)

A snack or side and/or more beer would be fabulous.

Thanks Brigette! See you all Friday night or Saturday!