Arizona Rock Climbing Club

About the club and how to join

ARCC is a loose knit group of people who get together once a month to climb and also to talk about climbing, plan climbing trips (from beginner to intermediate to advanced), share their experiences by showing slides or telling stories. Most of our members are Arizona Climbing and Adventure School alumni. Meetings are held on the second Saturday of every month at On The Border Mexican Grill at Desert Ridge Mall at 5:30 pm. We have a varied membership and whether you climb sport, trad, alpine, or boulder, you will find someone who shares your interests. We also encourage each other to participate in other sports together and some folks who enjoy biking, hiking, backpacking, skiing and running have found partners for those activities as well.

Membership is open to climbers 18 years of age and older on payment of the membership fee.The annual membership fee is $35 ($25 if you are a former student from the Arizona Climbing and Adventure School), which covers the cost of camp fees, backcountry permits, donations to The Access Fund, newsletter, website updates, our annual Christmas and New Year's party in December. Of course if you also join our softball and/or bowling team there is no membership fee - it's FREE!. Sound crazy - it is! But we do know how to have fun and don't take ourselves too seriously (must be 21 to join)!! In the past we have also donated money to worthy causes. Such expenditures are not incurred without membership approval. Membership also includes discounts (up to 50% OFF) on climbing courses at the Arizona Climbing and Adventure School!

Next Meeting: February 9, 2008
Call us and let us know if you are attending (480-363-2390).
Meetings are FREE to attend and open to all.

We try to offer at least one trip per month. Arizona Rock Climbing Club does not (I repeat, DOES NOT) do any instruction of climbing, nor do they arrange partners or provide equipment. Each person is responsible for bringing the required skills, equipment and partners. Meetings are the best way to meet prospective climbing partners. We also encourage you to attend our weekly bouldering or gym sessions to get an idea of the level of climbing people are at and who would be a suitable partner for you. Trip organizers will put individuals looking for partners in contact with each other, but the rest is up to you.

I use the term, "trip organizer" very loosely, because the organizing usually amounts to getting campground reservations (if necessary), arranging car pools and planning a Saturday evening potluck (depending on the trip). Usually people will go off in different directions to do their own climbs, and come back in the evening to swap stories. We do try and plan occasional trips to areas that allow easy leads or topropes so that members who are new to the sport and/or don't lead can participate.

Please take a look at our current outings (below) to get an idea of what we get up to. Also you are encouraged to attend our meetings and get to know us.We are looking forward to meeting you.

Please be aware of our policy regarding participation in a club outing. We require that you are a paying member and have signed the waiver. Fill out an application form (link below) and mail or email it to Michelle Monette, our treasurer.

Membership Details

..Click here for ARCC Application Form

Print and fill out the form then follow the instructions below.

Complete, sign and date the membership application form and return it to us.
If you are a new member, you must attend a club meeting. Hand the completed and signed form to a committee member at the meeting, tendering the relevant fee in cash, check or money order.

If you are a renewing or previous member, you can either:

• Send the form to the address below. Enclose a check or money order made out to ARRC or a MasterCard/Visa number with expiration date.
• Attend a monthly club meeting, and pay by cash, check.

Arizona Rock Climbing Club
PO Box 3094
Carefree, Arizona 85377
480-363-2390

Note
THE ARCC DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY CLIMBING INSTRUCTION
The ARCC encourages beginner climbers to undertake an outdoor climbing course with a qualified instructor.
The safety issues relevant to climbing outdoors are totally different to those involved with indoor gym climbing. Please thoroughly read the ARCC Climbers Code of Conduct below.



	• McDowell Mountains Climb ...Dates: Jan. 22-23, Feb. 26-27, Mar. 9-10 • Cochise Stronghold Climb and Camp ...Dates: Mar. 15-16, Apr. 19-20 • Superstitions Multi-Pitch Climb and Camp ...Dates: Feb. 9-10, Mar. 29-30 • Mount Lemmon Climb and Camp ...Dates: Apr. 12-13, May 3-4 • Yosemite Climb and Camp ...Dates: June 21-28, July 19-26 • Joshua Tree Climb and Camp ...Dates: Mar. 16-18, Apr. 11-13
	More trips will be added on a monthly basis by members. A complete itinerary of the above trips can be obtained from members by emailing us.

Leading Trips for the Arizona Rock Climbing Club (ARCC)
Most ARCC trips take place in our popular climbing areas - the McDowells, Jack's Canyon, Queen Creek, Sperstitions, Mt. Lemmon and a variety of other locations. Or for those out of state trips - Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. Being world-renowned centers, they draw throngs of international climbers during the summer months. We therefore book campsites for our trips well in advance and rely on kindly volunteers to coordinate our groups.

Although these areas will always be in demand, there are many other beautiful rock outcrops in our state. Some are well known, others are not - but exploring them and finding a gem is always very rewarding. If you would like to lead a trip to one of these lesser known areas and need some ideas, try the following sources:
• Climbing magazine
• The internet
• Local climbers
• Climbing guidebooks
• Climbing store personnel

Just write up your plans in an email to us and wait for responses. Enthusiasm for new places is usually high.

The following Trip Leader Guidelines apply only to Yosemite and Tuolumne Meadows, but responsibilities will be the same wherever you go.

Trip Leader Guidelines
Welcome to our noble group of volunteers!
Trip leaders like you enable us to run climbing weekends in Yosemite and Tuolumne Meadows throughout the summer. We want your experience to be a good one and are therefore enclosing details of your responsibilities, trip policies and procedures and of course, your benefits! We also list names of members to contact if you have questions, provide guidelines regarding how to handle certain problems, and supply general information for climbers. Signing Up for Trips.
This is on a first come first served basis. Each member is allowed to invite one guest. If numbers permit, additional guests can be admitted.

Costs and Refunds
$20/night for members - Any trip over 2 nights will have a reduced rate for members of $15 a night. Everyone is required to pay for all nights that have been booked. Cancellations received less than 72 hours before the trip, unless for bad weather reasons, need to be paid for. If there are others on the waiting list or you find a replacement this fee will be waived.

Campsites
Six people with tents, plus 2 cars, per campsite. Extra cars can be parked in overflow parking areas.

Trip Cancellation
If the trip needs to be cancelled due to weather, notify members (the club will absorb the cost). If you are unable to go on the trip, assign another leader.

Leader Benefits
• No campsite fees
• Guaranteed car pass
• Guaranteed spot on trip

Responsibilities
• Assemble a list of trip members and a waiting list
• Convey policies concerning campsite fees, site regulations, and car passes
• Coordinate carpools
• Coordinate Saturday night potluck
• Provide details of campsite location
• Collect fees and submit monies to Treasurer
• Resolve problems

Details you need to know
Campsite arrangements
a) Obtain the campsite receipt, and the name of the person reserving the site, from Outdoor Events Coordinator,
If you arrive late, site numbers are listed at the entrance booth under this person's name.
b) On arrival, post the site numbers on the message board, to the right of the entrance booth. Numbers are only listed at the entrance booth on the first night of stay, so it is essential to post them for those arriving a day late.
c) Issue two car passes per site on a first come first served basis. If you don't obtain passes on arrival, get them at the entrance booth in the morning. Overflow parking is available outside the campground. Members without a pass can drop off their gear at the site and then park.
d) Inform members about the use of bear boxes at the site - everything that smells, including food, cosmetics, and toothpaste need to be removed from cars and tents and put in the boxes overnight.

Collecting Campsite fees
a) Collect campsite fees as soon as possible - Saturday night is a good time. People may leave early on Sunday morning and you won't see them again!
Members $5 per night (unless 3 or more nights $3), non-members $7.
b) Send a check made out to ACAS, PO Box 3094, Carefree, AZ 85377, along with a list of those who paid, to the Treasurer, Michelle Monette.

Resolving Problems
a) Sometimes people will try to bend the rules - these club guidelines should help you sort out any problems.
b) Report any difficulties you had with arrangements, with members of the group, or with any other matters, to a committee member. This could help us improve policies and procedures.

.........Arizona Rock Climbing Club officers (and we need more)
......... • President, Mark Brontsema
......... • Vice-President, Mark Bratlie
......... • Treasurer, Michelle Monette

For further information call the Arizona Climbing and Adventure School at 480-363-2390


	NOTE: Arizona Rock Climbing Club is not a teaching organization and does not endorse or insure rock climbing. Trips advertised on the website are private and only listed to allow for the coordination of car pooling and camping. Each participant on a trip is solely responsible for his or her safety during the entire trip, including the transportation to and from the climbing area and site, and necessary insurance.


	The climbing system Definition The climbing system can be thought of as a series of links that connect the lead climber - via harness, rope, knots, runners and belay device - to a partner or belayer. How it works Each link must be intact and secure for the system to withstand a high impact fall. During a fall force is experienced at every link in the chain. If there is a significant weakness at any one of these links there could be a failure with serious consequences. In other words, there is no point in having brand new equipment right from the harness to carabiners and rope if you then clip an old, damaged or worn-out piece of gear or bolt as your only piece of gear on a hard pitch - that's asking for trouble. Every link in the whole system must be reliable - your safety is depending on it. Rope work Look after your rope Rope work is more concerned with looking after your rope; after all, if you're betting your life on it, you need to know it's in good condition! Sand and dust grains can work their way into the rope and will increase wear, and when they lie on the rope's surface it much reduces the handling quality. Use a rope bag or mat to keep the rope out of the dirt. This also means you don't have to coil it - though beware of twists or knots, and run the rope through your hand before climbing. To cure a twisted rope, pull the whole length through the belay or better still, drag it fully stretched out through a grassy field. Attentive belaying As a belayer, ensure you can pay out the rope smoothly. The leader will not appreciate a tangle in the rope or a snag around a rock at a critical clip. It helps if you lie out the rope in loops on the rope bag. Rope end carabiners Care of both rope and quickdraws is directly linked. The soft metal of karabiners is quickly worn and burred by bolt edges (particularly the Petzl-style hangers). Ensure each quickdraw has a 'rope end' and a 'bolt end'. A fall onto a badly burred carabiner will dramatically increase rope wear. A bent gate on the 'rope end' prevents confusion and makes clipping slightly easier. Tip from a rope manufacturer Dogging and falling on a brand new rope will reduce the overall life span. It should be hung on (lowering off, top roping) a few times to 'bed in' first. Ropes don't last forever but they rarely become dangerous. Sport climbers who fall off a lot will note that the last four or five metres are by far the most worn. Check your ropes regularly and if they are worn, simply cut off the worn section and seal the frayed end with a lighter and some tape. The activities described on this web site carry a significant risk of personal injury or death. Rock climbing is inherently dangerous. The owners and staff of the Arizona Climbing and Adventure School do not recommend that anyone participate in these activities unless they seek qualified professional instruction and/or guidance, are knowledgeable about the risks involved, and are willing to personally assume all responsibility associated with those risks.

Arizona Rock Climbing Club Climbers Code of Conduct
No matter how hard we try to tread lightly and care for the cliff environment, the potential impacts of climbing are considerable.
Observing the Code of Conduct set out below will help to lessen that impact.
At the cliff face:
· Tread lightly and avoid fragile vegetation at the base and top of cliffs.
Once vegetation is removed erosion sets in and the resulting soil loss could mean that revegetation is not possible

· Avoid removing vegetation from cracks and ledges when developing new cliffs and climbs.
· Where possible on approaches to the bottom, and from the top of climbs, keep to rocks, hard ground, and established tracks.
· Avoid revegetation/regeneration areas until signs have been officially removed and the area has recovered.
· Carry all rubbish out with you.
· Practice minimum impact toileting by going well away (more than 50m) from tracks and creeks and digging a deep hole to bury all human waste matter, toilet paper and tissues; or use a ‘poo tube’ to carry it out with you.
· To avoid trampling cliff top vegetation where possible use “lower-offs” to return to the base of climbs.
· Minimise chalk usage. Chalk is unsightly; think before you dip ! Consider using appropriately coloured chalk.
· Bolting can be unsightly; place them with consideration for low visual impact as well as safety. Consider using coloured brackets or painting them to match the rock.
· When choosing a site for a “lower-off” point, consider proximity to other climbs below as well as visual impact.
· Marking the start of climbs should be done discretely and in keeping with accepted practices at particular cliffs.
· Chipping or enhancing of holds is unacceptable.
· Always comply with the regulations attached to particular areas.
· Respect the Aboriginal cultural heritage which exists in some areas.

With regard to other cliff users:
· Avoid monopolising climbs and crags. Think of others waiting their turn.
· Take care with loose rock at the top of climbs or on climbs. Signal immediately and loudly with “ROCK” or “BELOW” if any is accidentally knocked down.
· Look below for others before throwing down ropes.
· Climbers are not the only users of some areas. Respect the rights of these other users.
· Consider the possible dangers of bringing small children to the cliff face. Is it really safe for them? Could they be a nuisance to others?
· Please note: Dogs are not allowed in National Parks, and on specified lands must be kept on a leash.

REMEMBER THAT WE DO NOT HAVE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO CLIFF FACES.
Hopefully a pleasant interaction with other cliff users will continue despite the increasing pressure of numbers.

How do I get into climbing?
The best and relatively safest place to start is indoors. We recommend that you visit your local indoor climbing gym, most of which offer training courses. A few indoor lessons will teach you the basic climbing movements and skills which will provide you with a good starting point for your adventures outdoors on real rock.
The next step is to do a couple of outdoor climbing courses, in particular to learn and understand the safety issues involved. These are considerably different to those that you encounter in the gym.

You'll also find outdoor courses offered by the Arizona Climbing and Adventure School.

Once you have done a few courses and got some basic climbing equipment (see question below) you should consider joining a climbing club such as the ARCC. You can come along at any time to our free monthly meetings and get to meet and talk to the members. ARCC members regularly visit the indoor gyms - we do this not only to keep climbing fit but also for the fun environment and social contact with other climbers. Outdoor climbing days and weekends for members are organised by individual members and registered with the club's Trip Convenor.

Once you become a regular attendee of monthly meetings and gym evenings and have become a familiar face - you'll soon find yourself out climbing most weekends along with the rest of the ARCC.

Do you run climbing courses?
The ARCC does not run any climbing courses. The ARCC also does not provide any climbing equipment - you'll need to be totally self sufficient.

What equipment do I need to go climbing?
When you are doing a climbing course the organisers will provide you with any necessary equipment. Indoor climbing gyms will also rent shoes and harnesses to you for use in their gym. Once you decide to get serious and start climbing properly then you need to consider what to buy and when to buy it.
Even if you are only going to climb regularly indoors, as many people choose to do, it soon becomes worth your while buying a comfortably fitting harness and a pair of climbing shoes (that haven't been on some else's smelly feet!). Climbing shoes and a harness will each cost you from $150 upwards. Outdoor climbing involves yet more purchases to get into just the basic level of climbing (i.e. seconding a leader up a climb, or top roping).
Visit your local outdoor equipment shop and speak to them about the climbing equipment you'll need - be prepared to spend several hundred dollars to get into the basic level of climbing and over a thousand dollars if you want to get into traditional ("trad") lead climbing where you place removable protection devices as you climb.

Thanks again and remember, "An Old Climber is a Safe Climber"