It was mid Thursday and the truck was loaded up, bags full of camping and climbing gear filled the bed. We were ready to leave our home in Northeastern PA and make our way 8 and a half hours southwest to the New River Gorge. Each year in May the New River Alliance of Climbers puts on an event to help raise money to maintain climbing in the Gorge, but also to celebrate the great sport that is climbing. The New River Rendezvous as it is called attracts 800 to 1000 eager climbers each year for 3 days of Climbing, eating, competition and of course partying. Amazingly the event costs only 25 dollars a person and this covers everything for the weekend with the exception of competition registration.
We arrived at Burnwood camping area late thursday night and promptly set up our tents before turning in for the night. Within an hour of waking up Friday morning the fun began. I was introduced to Matties Mountain Mud who was providing delicious coffee all weekend before heading off to learn about maintaining climbing gear with Doug Phillips the owner of Metolius. I must say I learned quite a bit from Doug about what climbing gear is capable of.
Once I finished up a great learning experience with Doug, I headed out to the Junkyard wall for some climbing. We definitely got some good climbing in. I lead a trad route called New River Gunks, which i really enjoyed. then we top roped a Climb called Team Jesus.
Friday night is when the festivities really kicked into gear. Dessertapalooza was easily the highlight of the evening with at least a hundred desserts to feed our faces on, during the fantastic desert selection Mike Libecki Showed a video about some of his exciting mountain ascents followed by Chris Sharma’s slide show chronicling some of his latest accomplishments. After Sharma’s slide show, Climber/Filmmaker Chuck Fryberger took the stage to introduce his latest film “Core”. Once Core finished, odub-jer artastic jamnation began spinning the tunes for everyone to enjoy. Of course it wouldn’t be a weekend away if there wasn’t a mishap. a strong thunderstorm quickly blew in and sent tents and people scattering, fortunately the storm exhausted itself quite quickly and the party pressed on.
Saturday morning started off a bit wet after a long night of rain, but this didn’t stop anyone from going out and climbing. The sun was brightly shining and everyone was eager to compete, attend clinics, or just plain climb. We decided to head into Fayeteville first and have a look around. We stopped at Water Stone Outdoors, the local gear shop who was having a mega sale. I picked up a Trango Cinch at a great price. (review later) The next stop on our list for the day was Beauty Mountain. We parked at the trail head and make our way down the beautiful approach trail to the rock where we found it to be a bit wet as expected. I started leading a sport route called you want it you got it(5.9), but it proved to be quite wet leading to me falling and banging my ankle pretty good.
Needless to say this put me in rest mode for a few hours before heading out to the bridge area to lead Dairy Area (5.4) and Midnight Moonlight(5.7) both of which proved to be quite enjoyable despite my bum ankle. I lead both of these climbs then easily belayed from the top using my new Cinch much like one would belay in a multi-pitch scenario.
A few hours passed while we were at the Bridge area before we made the hike back to Burnwood for the Saturday evening festivities. Saturday night featured a slew of events. first there was the crash pad sumo wrestling which was an all out battle to win a brand new crash pad. after the sumo wrestling wrapped up, once the sumo madness ended, the craziness kicked up a notch with the dare to wear your lycra contest which had contestants doning there lycra and struting there stuff on stage. after the lycra left the stage and our eyes stopped watering, the dyno comp took off which had contestants throwing for the the highest hold they could snag.the Party really began when Ohio Funk act Freekbass took the stage.
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After a rainy Saturday night we woke to a wet foggy Sunday Morning. We decided that it was time to bring our adventure to a close and head back home. The Rendezvous proved to be a great experience, and next year I intend to immerse myself deeper into the event, so keep and eye out for more coverage next time around.
sounds like a ragin good time. I opted north in allegheny highlands trail training the new pup lexy to stay along. Next yr. She should be a better citizen. And we’ll be jonesin’ for kila’ ascent. Gonna try a trigger wire at home gym. Let me know where the deals are.