Bears Den Group Meetup

Post date: May 26, 2018 9:44:21 AM

Hello all,

Spring has finally sprung, and it's time to start up the after work climbing group again. The group is beginner-friendly and open to all. Please forward this email to others who might be interested.

To start, we'll focus on Bears Den for its easy access and good selection of routes, but may branch out to other areas as whim dictates. I plan to meet Wednesdays for the significant advantage of going when Andy and Bob, who developed the area, usually climb. As last year we hiked in around 4:30 and climb often until dark. If you arrive later, it's easy enough to hike in and find us.

Here's the deal: This is not a guided outing, is not climbing instruction, and is not sponsored by any organization or any managers of the places where we climb. The only person directly responsible for your safety is you, and it's up to you to evaluate the risks and to decide which activities to participate in. You are expected to know how to climb and how to belay other climbers. This is an informal meet-up of people who share the enjoyment of climbing.

All that said, the group is supportive and friendly, and no one will judge you by the difficulty of the climbs you attempt. We set up on routes ranging from easy to moderately difficult. In the past we were joined by a number of strong climbers with long experience who were very generous in sharing their knowledge. This creates an excellent opportunity for beginners to sharpen their own skills. Last year the group was more or less evenly balanced between women and men.

You will need your own harness, shoes and belay gear. If you have a rope, please bring it. If you have a lead rack and would like to use it, bring that, too. There will always be at least one leader present. We typically lead a few or several routes then leave them set up as topropes for the others to use.

I typically send one brief email to the group per week as a reminder, and to announce weather cancellations, changes of venue, or other information. If you received this from me, then you are already on the list. To be added, just drop me an email to JCMaps@Clockery.com. If you're not interested, let me know and I promise you'll not see another.

Just to give me an indication of interest, please respond to this email if you plan to join us, even if only occasionally.

JC Woodward

JCMaps@Clockery.com