May 2018 — CASA Buzz
Welcome to our newest member of the Board of Directors: Kale Kacperski! Thanks for stepping up, Kale!
June 9th Adopt a Crag in the shady and cool pines at Marshall Gulch. Sign up here. |
We're buzzing into the summer.
233 individuals donated and doubled their impact this Spring. Thanks to all of you for being part of this team! Thanks to CASA's sponsors, directors and some generous individuals for matching member donations! We’ll be at Tucson Hop Shop for three Thursday education nights: May 24, June 21, & July 19. First topic: Bees, Falcons, and Climbers—learn how to keep yourself and wildlife safe. Be on the lookout for new steel “quick lower” carabiners at the tops of popular climbs. CASA believes that “no one should untie up high!” Use fixed carabiners for the last climber to clean and lower safely—they are not for top-roping! Watch some climbing films and have a beverage with us! CASA at Casa Video Film Bar returns for three nights this summer: June 19, July 17, & August 14. CASA presents our work and successes at the Arizona Mountaineering Club’s June meeting in Phoenix. Presenter: CASA Executive Director Eric Sophiea. |
April 2018 — CASA Buzz
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April Member Drive Update: Over 150 people have joined CASA in 2018, already. Our goal is 300 members! We need your help to make sure CASA has enough funding for our next year’s work. New — Become a monthly donor to make giving easier!
Two CASA volunteers, Geir Hundal and Eric Sophiea, were honored with the Access Fund’s Sharp End Award! 41 awesome peeps hauled out 47 big bags of trash, a cinder-block, two tires/wheels, a hunk of mystery-metal, and the usual chunk of car. Must’ve been our April 7 annual Highway Cleanup! Volunteers obliterated 7 graffiti tags at Windy Point in April. Look for upcoming Education Nights at Tucson Hop Shop in May, June, and July. Beanfest attendees appreciated the toilets provide by CASA. Two VIP’s from the American Alpine Club also used them in the days afterward and personally thanked CASA. Leave no trace! |
Eric Sophiea represented CASA at a National Park Service Wilderness Climbing Management conference and showcased our work at Windy Point.
June 9 is our next Adopt a Crag up on the ponderosa summit. Save the date! |
April 13, 2018 — CASA 2017 Annual Report
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April 2018 — Access Fund Names Outstanding Climbing Advocates
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March 2018 — CASA Buzz
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Please join us in thanking Alex Brummer for his three years of service with CASA. Alex brought valuable insight and experience to our team and we wish him well at his postdoc position at UCLA.
Eric Ruljancich of Pika Consulting powered through 6 Trails Workshops and 6 Micro Trail Days this spring. These events, part of CASA’s RTP grant project, bring trail maintenance expertise to the broader outdoor community. The CASA leadership helped move the Beardsley Boulder Pile graffiti removal project forward during its early stages. Check out this cool Phoenix cleanup day, powered by Natural Restorations! Lady Beta Award Winners Stef Caffarel, Kate McHugh, and Lora Rivera--three amazing women give back to their climbing community. Select their names to see what they shared that night. |
Last but not least, Eric Sophiea made banal jokes at nearly all events with an extra special effort at EFR’s birthday party. <3
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February 2018 — CASA Buzz
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Windy Point needs some love! Register for the March 4th Adopt a Crag.
Eric Ruljancich of Pika Consulting is expanding the depth of Tucson’s trail volunteer skills through a series of training workshops. This program reaches a broad group of trail users from across the state as part of CASA’s Recreational Trail Program project. Funded by a grant from Arizona State Parks. CASA needs your help finding corporate sponsors to support our work! Do you know of a business that wants to give back, support our work, and get showered with praise by the outdoor recreation community? Let us know. Thanks for making CASA’s presentation of No Man’s Land Film Festival a success—it was a sold out show and amazing celebration of women adventurers! Let’s do it again next year. Missed the Lady Beta Award presentation? Watch it here. |
Snag a copy of our CASA Anthologies at Summit Hut, Rocks & Ropes, the BLOC, Antigone Books, or online.
Thanks for celebrating three years with us! It was great to see a big crowd at Borderlands Brewing for CASA’s anniversary party.
Pooped at Beanfest in the last few years? CASA will be providing portable toilets again to help you leave no trace of beans in the Stronghold.
That climber on the home page of our website? Yeah, him. Shout-out to Brian Rasmussen for stepping up to lead our efforts against graffiti on our mountain. Thanks, Brian!
Thanks for celebrating three years with us! It was great to see a big crowd at Borderlands Brewing for CASA’s anniversary party.
Pooped at Beanfest in the last few years? CASA will be providing portable toilets again to help you leave no trace of beans in the Stronghold.
That climber on the home page of our website? Yeah, him. Shout-out to Brian Rasmussen for stepping up to lead our efforts against graffiti on our mountain. Thanks, Brian!
January 2018 — CASA Buzz
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Want to increase your trail skills and give back? Learn to identify and perform needed maintenance on your local trails! CASA's Stewardship Coordinator Eric Ruljancich will be leading a series of free no-experience-needed workshops on Jan 20, Jan 27, Feb 3, Feb 10, Feb 11, and Feb 24. Space is limited—so register soon. More info here.
Happy anniversary! We’re celebrating three years on Saturday, Feb. 3rd (6-9pm) at Borderlands. A couple of drinks on us. Or a drink and some chow. Or just chow. You choose! Guests receive two tokens to redeem for either pints at Borderlands or $5 off your purchase at EnjoyaBowls Food Truck parked outside. Plus cool raffle prizes! More info + RSVP on Facebook.) Tickets to the No Man’s Land Film Festival on Thursday, Feb. 15th are on sale and going fast! Snag yours for $10 each at Rocks and Ropes, The BLOC, or The Loft ($12 at the door). Also highlighting local lady climbers and adventurers in a pre-event slideshow. Submit your awesome photos! |
Thanks to CASA volunteers Brian Rasmussen and Eric Sophiea, say goodbye to graffiti on Hitchcock Pinnacle at Windy Point. See the before/after animation. Support graffiti removal by joining CASA today and reporting graffiti you see on Mt. Lemmon.
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December 2017 — CASA Buzz
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COMING UP
Tickets to the No Man’s Land Film Festival go on sale January 1st! Snag yours for $10 at Rocks and Ropes, The Bloc, or The Loft ($12 at the door). Happy anniversary! We’re celebrating three years on Saturday, Feb. 3rd (6-9pm) at Borderlands Brewing Company. Details here. Everyone's invited. Bring friends and fam to raise a glass to YOU amazing volunteers, supporters, donors, and partners. You’ve made CASA’s 3rd year a huge success! P.S. First beer's on us! |
PAST MONTH
CASA's Adopt a Crag 14 at The Homestead (Dec 2) was a huge success! 45 volunteers from Phoenix, Tucson, and beyond put their muscle into taking care of this shared crag. Crews led by the Access Fund and CASA volunteers built staircases to help reduce erosion, re-routed eroded climber trails, expanded a parking area near the trails, and more!
What a fantastic turnout to our Anthology 2 book launch! So many great people and stories gathered at Ermanos. Thanks to all who made the night special. Get the box set directly from CASA—or visit Rocks & Ropes,The BLOC, Summit Hut, or Amazon for this or last year’s!
Looking for someone to speak to your team about CASA’s work in the community? We’d love to tailor a presentation to meet your specific needs and interests! Email Executive Director Kristyn Conner to schedule.
November 2017 — CASA Buzz
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- CASA is helping other climbing advocates across the country. Carolina Climbers Coalition wants to hire their first staff, so we're sharing what we learned. We provided logistical startup assistance to the Northern Arizona Climbers Coalition to share what we learned during our incorporation and tax-exemption process. We helped the Prescott Climbers Coalition a couple years back, too. It takes a village, y'all!
- Thanks to Summit Hut, CASA CRUSHED it at the Beer 'n' Gear night. Summit Hut collected donations for CASA and provided chow, beverages, deals and prizes to over 200 people that showed up.
October 2017 — CASA Buzz
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September 2017 — CASA Buzz
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- Gear and Beer Pint Night is coming up on November 9th at the Oro Valley Summit Hut! Hang out with CASA, have a beverage, and get some great deals on climbing gear.
- On December 7th, join us at Ermano's to get your copy of the Anthology, a tasty beverage, BBQ, and/or food from their menu.
- Please register for the Adopt a Crag 12 at Marshall Gulch on October 1st.
- November 5th is Adopt a Crag 13 at Windy Point.
- The Anchor Team is at it again updating bolts across the mountain! See the list of updated climbs here.
- CASA volunteers continue scrubbing graffiti from the rock on Mt. Lemmon. We hope you enjoy not seeing it! Report Graffiti.
- We're accepting applications for an Executive Director! Check out the job announcement. If you know anyone who might be interested, send them our way!
- Beanfest is October 22nd at the Vineyard Cove campground in the East Stronghold. CASA will be providing toilets to help keep Cochise clean! Thanks for you help in reducing climber impact.
August 2017 — CASA's President, Eric Sophiea, wins the Cox Conserves Heroes Award! Thanks to everyone who voted!
July 2017 — CASA Buzz
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April 2017
March 2017
Desert Savvy Training: Conscious Climbing Impact
April 1, 2017
Double your impact
Donations in April are being matched by Rocks & Ropes, The BLOC, and Tim Richardson of Habitation Realty (up to $3000)! It's a great time to sign up or renew. Your membership will score you the new 2017 design t-shirt and a bunch of new member discounts around town and online!
Don't miss out on an opportunity to learn about Desert Savvy Climbing. Participate in our April 1st Conscious Climber Impact course! Thanks to Joe Cleinmark for teaching and Geir Hundal for the Education Team leadership.
The Anthology is happening again! Submissions open April 1st. Submit your stories for the CASA Climbing Anthology 2.
Want to expand your knowledge of trail work and erosion control? Stay tuned for more crew leader training opportunities coming soon!
See you April 2nd for a quick litter cleanup day along Mt. Lemmon Highway. Meet at the BLOC at 9:00!
Donations in April are being matched by Rocks & Ropes, The BLOC, and Tim Richardson of Habitation Realty (up to $3000)! It's a great time to sign up or renew. Your membership will score you the new 2017 design t-shirt and a bunch of new member discounts around town and online!
Don't miss out on an opportunity to learn about Desert Savvy Climbing. Participate in our April 1st Conscious Climber Impact course! Thanks to Joe Cleinmark for teaching and Geir Hundal for the Education Team leadership.
The Anthology is happening again! Submissions open April 1st. Submit your stories for the CASA Climbing Anthology 2.
Want to expand your knowledge of trail work and erosion control? Stay tuned for more crew leader training opportunities coming soon!
See you April 2nd for a quick litter cleanup day along Mt. Lemmon Highway. Meet at the BLOC at 9:00!
February 2017
On Saturday, Feb 25th, CASA hosted the first ever Adopt a Crag at Baboquivari Peak.
41 volunteers showed up for this incredibly successful event. Multiple people and organizations worked hard to make this day a reality
Baboquivari Peak has a powerful significance to many and especially to the Tohono O'odham people. It was both an honor and a privilege to give back to this special place.
This Adopt a Crag would not have been possible without the hard work of the following people and organizations:
• Matt Nelson
• James Martinez
• Veronica Harvey
• The Tohono O'odham Nation
•The Access Fund Conservation Team (Andrea and Annabelle)
• The Arizona Wilderness Coalition
• Eric Sophiea
• Lora Rivera
• Andy Bennett
• Joe Cleinmark
• Eric Ruljancich (Canada)
And most important, thank YOU: All you volunteers who donated your time, energy, and sweat to help make the world a little better.
Results of our work on the Baboquivari Access Trail:
• 2.4 Miles of trail cleared of brush
• 27 Drains
• 4 Check dams
• 115' Berm removed
• 15' Retaining wall
• 340' of resurfaced tread
If you missed this event please consider coming out for our Adopt a Crag 10: Mt Lemmon Highway Cleanup, April 2. More details soon.
Thanks for supporting CASA and stewardship!
41 volunteers showed up for this incredibly successful event. Multiple people and organizations worked hard to make this day a reality
Baboquivari Peak has a powerful significance to many and especially to the Tohono O'odham people. It was both an honor and a privilege to give back to this special place.
This Adopt a Crag would not have been possible without the hard work of the following people and organizations:
• Matt Nelson
• James Martinez
• Veronica Harvey
• The Tohono O'odham Nation
•The Access Fund Conservation Team (Andrea and Annabelle)
• The Arizona Wilderness Coalition
• Eric Sophiea
• Lora Rivera
• Andy Bennett
• Joe Cleinmark
• Eric Ruljancich (Canada)
And most important, thank YOU: All you volunteers who donated your time, energy, and sweat to help make the world a little better.
Results of our work on the Baboquivari Access Trail:
• 2.4 Miles of trail cleared of brush
• 27 Drains
• 4 Check dams
• 115' Berm removed
• 15' Retaining wall
• 340' of resurfaced tread
If you missed this event please consider coming out for our Adopt a Crag 10: Mt Lemmon Highway Cleanup, April 2. More details soon.
Thanks for supporting CASA and stewardship!
January 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — January 31, 2017
CASA (Climbing Association of Southern Arizona) is excited to announce that we have received a sizable grant from the Arizona State Parks Recreational Trail Program!
The grant is to be used in the Santa Catalina Ranger District on 21 miles of established trails. CASA will be partnering with the Arizona Conservation Corps, the Forest Service, and the Arizona Trail Association to perform maintenance work on trails that access climbing areas in the Catalinas. The work will also benefit all other users of these trails including mountain bikers, equestrians, and hikers.
Additionally the grant will be used to provide workshops for volunteers from all user groups to help create a larger base of skilled volunteers. The $73,000 grant monies will be used to pay for Conservation Corps trail crews, program coordination, signs, educational materials and other project expenses
This work will be executed over approximately the next 12 to 18 months. There is currently a publicly listed Request For Proposal (RFP) to execute and implement the work.
CASA (Climbing Association of Southern Arizona) is excited to announce that we have received a sizable grant from the Arizona State Parks Recreational Trail Program!
The grant is to be used in the Santa Catalina Ranger District on 21 miles of established trails. CASA will be partnering with the Arizona Conservation Corps, the Forest Service, and the Arizona Trail Association to perform maintenance work on trails that access climbing areas in the Catalinas. The work will also benefit all other users of these trails including mountain bikers, equestrians, and hikers.
Additionally the grant will be used to provide workshops for volunteers from all user groups to help create a larger base of skilled volunteers. The $73,000 grant monies will be used to pay for Conservation Corps trail crews, program coordination, signs, educational materials and other project expenses
This work will be executed over approximately the next 12 to 18 months. There is currently a publicly listed Request For Proposal (RFP) to execute and implement the work.
December 2016
- Ever get tired of seeing TP at the crag? Us too. The CASA Education Team is developing a Leave-No-Trace class for climbers. Stay tuned.
- CASA climbers are eligible for a discount on Geir Hundal's classes; the next one will be offered in April and May!
- We had a fabulous holiday turnout for the Anthology Book Release Party at 1912 Brewing Company. Thank you all for coming! If you haven't got your copy, you can buy one from CASA at our next event or pick one up at Summit Hut, Rocks & Ropes, or Amazon.com.
- Thank you for your hard work Dec 3 at the Homestead Adopt a Crag! 56 climbers completed 2 new trails to popular walls, installed new kiosks, and 10 large drainage structures that will preserve the access road. The Access Fund hopes this can be an annual event, maintaining our primo winter limestone climbing area, improving conditions, connecting with community, and developing future stewards.
- Adopt a Crag 9 is right around the corner, slated for February 25-26, at beautiful Baboquivari or Cochise.
- Ongoing Anchor Replacement starts with you: Report bad bolts!
- CASA at Casa Video on Sat. evening, Jan 7. Hang out at CASA Video Bar on Speedway, have a drink, and watch a climbing film.
- 2nd Year Anniversary Party on Sat., Feb. 4. Celebrate our second year of great work together. Join us at Public Brewhouse and Ermanos!
March 6, 2016
Click here to view report
February 20, 2016
In partnership with the Arizona Wilderness Coalition, the U.S. Forest Service, and Dragoon Brewing Co.... Ladies and gents. Adopt a Crag 5.
Total volunteers: 38
Volunteer hours: 352 (Approx $10,000)
22 erosion control check dams
6 water bars/drains
250 feet of social/spur trail closed
8 water bars/drains cleaned/repaired
A GIGANTIC thank you from CASA to all of you! We can't make our climbing areas better without your help. #leavenotrace #adoptacrag #stewardshipAccess Fund
Total volunteers: 38
Volunteer hours: 352 (Approx $10,000)
22 erosion control check dams
6 water bars/drains
250 feet of social/spur trail closed
8 water bars/drains cleaned/repaired
A GIGANTIC thank you from CASA to all of you! We can't make our climbing areas better without your help. #leavenotrace #adoptacrag #stewardshipAccess Fund
October 25, 2015
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Before and after photos from our October Adopt a Crag Event at Gordon Hirabayashi Campground
2,500 square feet of eroded ground restored 25 feet of retaining wall built 15 check dams installed 31 plants transplanted 1/2 a pound of native seed collected and planted 
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September 17, 2015
June 15, 2015
Crew Leader Training
On June 15, CASA conducted an 8-hour training for our volunteer Crew Leaders. The group learned leadership, risk management, and technical erosion control skills. As part of their training, they built upon the work that was started in February on the access route to North and South Fin at Windy Point. They had a lot of fun! Currently CASA has 6 Crew Leaders who are available to lead technical stewardship projects.
If you are interested in becoming involved in our stewardship program, please contact us.
On June 15, CASA conducted an 8-hour training for our volunteer Crew Leaders. The group learned leadership, risk management, and technical erosion control skills. As part of their training, they built upon the work that was started in February on the access route to North and South Fin at Windy Point. They had a lot of fun! Currently CASA has 6 Crew Leaders who are available to lead technical stewardship projects.
If you are interested in becoming involved in our stewardship program, please contact us.
May 24, 2015
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Hardware replacement best practices
CASA volunteers had a great day researching fixed hardware replacement. They refined methods for sustainable and minimal impact bolt replacement, including a system for effectively replacing most bolt types using the existing hole. |
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May 17, 2015
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May 17 Adopt a Crag report:
We built 24 new stone steps, placed tons of stabilizing rock, and broke in all of our new tools. Our dedicated and motivated volunteers continue to impress. Next time you are climbing at the Fins or at Beaver Wall at Windy Point, check out our volunteers' hard work, and consider becoming a donating member. Thanks to everyone who came out to move rocks, tell bad jokes, and give back to the community. Thanks to RBar Energy for supplying yummy food to fuel the hard work. Thanks to Access Fund for support, and the CASA stewardship team for making it all happen. A special shout out to John Hinrichsen for supplying the doughnuts. If you are interested in being part of these events in the future check the events section or follow us on Facebook. If you would like to be involved in a support or planning role, message us. We could really use your help. Thanks again, climbing community! |
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May 14, 2015
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CASA has new tools!
We will be breaking these in during our May 17th Adopt a Crag at Windy Point. We now have the capacity to run 3 crews using our own equipment, giving us more flexibility and autonomy. Thank you to our 126 donating members! You have helped make this possible. Your support empowers us to continue doing excellent work. Congratulations, Southern Arizona climbing community, on your new tools! |
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April 27, 2015
Congratulations, Southern Arizona!
We now all have a climbing organization that's an official 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit. The IRS just approved CASA's application!
Now you can deduct your donations to CASA (and any that you already made to us). This also opens more doors for us to do good work giving back to the climbing community.
We're all reaping the benefits from getting our ducks in a row from the start! From our corporate filings to our bylaws to our structural policies, we've set out to do this right. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and supported our efforts!
We now all have a climbing organization that's an official 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit. The IRS just approved CASA's application!
Now you can deduct your donations to CASA (and any that you already made to us). This also opens more doors for us to do good work giving back to the climbing community.
We're all reaping the benefits from getting our ducks in a row from the start! From our corporate filings to our bylaws to our structural policies, we've set out to do this right. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and supported our efforts!
April 20, 2015
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Clean and Climb Success!
60 bags of trash. One spare truck tire. Half of a bumper. 40 feet of rebar. 60 feet of steel pipe. Thank you Volunteers for making Mt. Lemmon a lot cleaner! |
April 7, 2015
March 18, 2015
CASA wins $2,000 Summit Hut Banff Grant
CASA grant writer, Alex Brummer (below), receives one of Summit Hut's $2,000 Banff Grants.
CASA grant writer, Alex Brummer (below), receives one of Summit Hut's $2,000 Banff Grants.
March 17, 2015
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Summary of the Feb 28th Adopt a Crag
In sum: 43 Volunteers 450 volunteer hours 41 stone erosion control steps built 400' of spur trail and social trails closed 150 square feet of eroded bank stabilized 16 bags of trash removed 6 graffiti tags removed Total rock moved ~ 15 tons Click here to read the full report (pdf doc) |
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