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roninthorne
Sep 15, 2009, 4:16 PM
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Registered: Nov 27, 2002
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Thru the month of October, call in advance and reserve a tent site for 2 nights at Eagle Rock Campground, get the second night half off. That's just $15.00 to camp by the river under the biggest privately-owned cliff in the Pendleton Valley, without the lights, noise, traffic and crowds of the National Forest campgrounds.
Sign up for a 3-month membership with the Smoke Hole CLIMB program and receive a coupon for one free night stay at the campground.
Call 304-358-3330, email wvmgray@gmail.com, or PM roninthorne for details and rates.
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roninthorne
Sep 29, 2009, 1:39 PM
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Registered: Nov 27, 2002
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Join us for Fall Foliage potluck the evening of October 17th at the campground. We'll have carcass, pasta, and assorted veggies. BYOB.
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roninthorne
Oct 2, 2009, 6:58 PM
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Registered: Nov 27, 2002
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The focus of this event has changed substantially. Proceeds from the weekend will now go to benefit Cindy Bender.
As some of you may or may not know, Cindy has been instrumental in Franklin trailwork and soils reclamation, as well as in the development of several other trail and crag systems in WV.
Just over a month ago, Cindy was bitten by a copperhead (twice) during a hike on her birthday. She spent four days in Grant Memorial Hospital, receiving excellent care from their dedicated nursing and ER staff, and proving that it would take more than the venom of the third most poisonous creature on the North American continent to stop her. She is now home; back on the trail and climbing 5.8s about three weeks ahead of the doctors' projected "best-case scenario"....
The cost of her care amounted to over $38,000.
Cindy has MS, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis in both knees. She lives on a fixed income in a modest apartment here in Smoke Hole Canyon, making jewelry and carving walking sticks to supplement her income, which, with side work, amounts to less than $1,200 per month. Between rising gas prices, utility bills, and the cost of her numerous medications to treat the MS and other ailments, she is left with very little in the way of discretionary income to spend on catastophic incidents and bills such as this.
If you can attend the dinner or would like to reserve a site for the night or weekend, please RSVP me at this address. No fee is required, but any goodwill donations will be greatly appreciated, and every dime will go to paying Cindy's bills. There will be both carnivore and vegetarian fare available, and all contributors will receive a free 1-year membership in the Smoke Hole/Valley Guiding Service CLIMB program, which gives members discounts on future stays at the campground, free firewood during their stays, and access to crags on private land here within the canyon. One such crag is Eagle Rock, located directly across the river from the campground; a privately-owned, 300-foot-tall limestone cliff with a number of moderate, intermediate, and bold trad climbs, as well as an incredible view of the canyon from its summit, which can be reached by trail as well as on rope.
On Sunday, we will be heading to the Guide Wall, another bit of private land bolted by the Seneca Rocks guides and friends over a decade ago, with a wealth of sport climbs ranging from 5.8 to 5.12R. I will be giving personal tours and beta, along with several of the original bolters, a pretty unique experience at any crag, in my most humble opinion.
You can call me at 304-358-3330 to reserve your site, confirm for the dinner, and/or get directions. You can also email this address, which I log into at least twice a week. For those of you who are unable to attend but would still like to help, you can snailmail donations to:
Cindy Bender
c/o Mike Gray
HC 62, Box 85C
Upper Tract, WV 26866
Even if you can't give a dime, please come and join us for a celebration of the season and an evening of good food and friends in a beautiful setting. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and have a great weekend.
Climb on-
Michael Gray
Ronin
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charley
Oct 3, 2009, 12:07 PM
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Registered: Apr 13, 2002
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I hope this gets lots of attention. Sounds like a good person who could use a little help. I'll be contacting you Mike.
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roninthorne
Oct 15, 2009, 5:38 PM
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Registered: Nov 27, 2002
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This event has been moved back one week, to Saturday, October 24, due to bad weather and competition with other climbing events taking place the same weekend.
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roninthorne
Oct 28, 2009, 3:06 PM
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Registered: Nov 27, 2002
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What a great weekend! The rain cleared off by noon Saturday, and we spent the day putzing and helping a friend with some home improvement in the p.m. How can ya beat new routes, sunny rock, no crowds, fresh trout, T-bone steaks, garden veggies and venison, all for just $5?
Thanks to Chris and Laura, Ryan, and Tall Man Brian D for your contributions to helping Cindy pay down her bills from the recent copperhead bite.
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roninthorne
Nov 17, 2009, 12:05 AM
Post #7 of 8
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Registered: Nov 27, 2002
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Kudos to Jude Kalet, and to the big guy, "Charley", for their contributions as well. a bit overdue, guys, but nonetheless heartfelt. Words cannot express my thanks, nor Cindy's. Our homes are yours, amigos.
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roninthorne
Jun 1, 2010, 10:58 PM
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Registered: Nov 27, 2002
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Now thru the end of summer (Sept 21), sign up for Trail Daze/send-a-thon weekends and get free camping at Eagle Rock, as well as a ton of good karma for helping support your local crags and keepin' it real!
Contact Mike Gray, wvmgray@gmail.com , or call 304-358-3330 for more details. Events held monthly.
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