The ? annual D.L. climber's gathering

Heads up all, the 3rd/4th weekend of october(usually around the 21st or so) is the annual climber's gathering/ cookout/ party and just wanted to get the word out early so that this year can be the best showing in a long time! A few of us were thinking it would be mighty fun to make the sat. of that weekend a fully "Trad' day. that is only leading or at least any TRs off top belays. Nickers, wool stuff, bowline on a coil, and hip belays sounds like a good idea as well.

Eric, does anyone know what weekend for sure the party is going down? I need to get the time off of work. Everyone should try to make this one, it will be a great time. Are the rumors true that a well known DL hardman will be making a return?

If the date is still up in the air, I vote for the 24th. I'll be in town that weekend, and it'd be awesome to climb w/ the Madison folks again.

I would love to attend. I'll keep checking for the where and when. If it is the 25/26th weekend I won't be able to make it.

-Glenn

So far the 24th sounds like the weekend: it is the END of the season so the further out the better... those I've talked to like the 24th as well...

My bottle of rum for the weekend of the 24th

I realized I'm going to be family camping that weekend at Wheelers Campground. I might be able to make it after all :) especially if you have it at Wheelers.

Where is this going to be?

-Glenn

Forget Wheeler's, the last few good ones have been at Green Valley and it might be their last hurrah with hwy 12 widening shutting them down. As always, cookout/potluck at the south shore first. Thanks for getting the ball rolling Eric. Attendance has deteriorated over the last few years. It would be fun to get some of the retired or relocated oldsters back.

24th is good, sending temps. Especially good if the "Dragon Slayer" is going to be there.

I give my vote for the valley as well and the 24th weekend! Anyone who sees this must bring at least two other climbers/booze hounds with. Lets make it a classic!

Having it at Wheelers would ensure a lame party or at least that everyone would get kicked out by 9 PM.

Rich T wrote:Having it at Wheelers would ensure a lame party or at least that everyone would get kicked out by 9 PM.

Ugh! I didn't realize it was like that. This will be my first time to Wheelers.

Where is this other campground?

-Glenn

I should say that Wheeler's is a very nice campground and a great place for family and sleeping. They are very strict on quiet and have been known to kick people out at any hour of the night. So probably not the best place for the annual climbers gathering.

If I'm thinking of the right place, the other campground in question is about 1-2 miles south of Wheelers on HWY 12, very close.

I'll be back in sunny Mexico by then. What we need to do is re-establish the Summer Hummer, our mid-summer 3 day extravaganza complete with corn roast,live music(both nights), water-tank volleyball, climbing walls, old car to destroy with sledge-hammers etc.

BTW--Don't listen to the nay-sayers. Wheeler's is very climber-friendly and a great place to camp (but not to party). Too bad the old Hickory Grove Campground doesn't exist any more.

Ed I think you guys should stay until the end of Oct. Tha fall is the best climbing in the midwest! Also last weekend turned out pretty nice, hopefully we'll get out before you take off.- Eric

Man, I would love to stay through October, in fact, that was my original plan this year but it's looking like things are going to start jumping at Potrero Chico a bit earlier this year so I have to be back for business reasons. October is probably my favorite month in the Potrero. The September rains have made everything very Spring-like and at the end of the month we get the Monarch Butterfly migration passing through which is one of nature's most amazing spectacles.

One more note about Wheeler's Campground. Are you all aware that there is excellent bouldering there?

Ed Wright wrote:Man, I would love to stay through October, in fact, that was my original plan this year but it's looking like things are going to start jumping at Potrero Chico a bit earlier this year so I have to be back for business reasons. October is probably my favorite month in the Potrero. The September rains have made everything very Spring-like and at the end of the month we get the Monarch Butterfly migration passing through which is one of nature's most amazing spectacles. One more note about Wheeler's Campground. Are you all aware that there is excellent bouldering there?

I had no idea about the bouldering. The only time I was there was to rent some shoes for a friend I took climbing.

Glenn

Count me in for sure! I love climbing get-togethers! On a side note anyone know if there is going to be a Boulder Bash this year? Last year was a blast.

Boulder Bash would have been this weekend but we never got it together. Look for a fall "Rib Mountain Boulder Bash".
BTW, Boulders Halloween comp/party will be Sat 10/31, starting at 5pm.

Or you could come to my Halloween drink your ass off quadruple keg costume party.

My house on the 31st, everyone is welcome hehe.

Here is my 2 cents worth - the end of the year climbing party has always been the 3rd weekend in October - thats puts it at Sat 10/17. It almost always starts with a cookout at whatever South Shore pavillion we can commandeer. We could change that, but I dont see any of the clubbers chiming in on this post, other than Al. It has always been the 3rd weekend, but I'm game if that needs to change this year. If it is going to happen at Green Valley, then someone needs to get the ball rolling with the owner. I don't know the new owner very well.