Climb Nova Scotia

Please give a warm welcome to Rob Grandy, Communications Director, and Matt MacPhee, Diversity Liaison!

Rob Grandy – Communications Director & Matt MacPhee – Diversity Liaison

Since the Annual General Meeting, two of the CNS board members resigned, leaving important vacancies. Given the busy time of year and with Boulderfest looming on the horizon, an executive decision was made to appoint replacements. CNS has worked with these two fine gentlemen over the past few months and they have proven to be motivated individuals stoked on climbing and willing to go the extra mile. Thanks for stepping up!

NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED AGAIN FOR JUNE 22nd  DUE TO RAIN

CNS Members, come join us for a joyous day of top roping outside!

Sorrow’s End on Shellbird Lake in Terrence Bay

Climbers of all skill levels welcome. We will meet @ 10:00am on Saturday May 11th May 25th JUNE 22nd at the old fish plant / sea sun kayak location on Terence Bay Rd. Climbing will end roughly around 5:00pm. Come climb in a fun, positive and welcome atmosphere. Beginners are encouraged to attend and this is a great opportunity to experience climbing outdoors for the first time! Safety will be a theme for the day.

What to bring: Wear appropriate footwear (GOOD hiking footwear) as you will likely get your feet swamped at least once. Dress in comfortable, weather appropriate clothing. Sunglasses, hat, bug repellent, sunscreen and water are recommended, as there is little shade. If you have them please bring climbing shoes, chalk, harness, belay device and helmet. There is a lake at Sorrow’s End so if you wish to swim bring swimsuit and towel. Be prepared to chip in for gas if you’re catching a ride with someone – it’s always appreciated.

You must be a Climb Nova Scotia member to attend this event, and you can buy a membership online if you don’t have one. All participants will be required to read and sign this waiver on the day of the event.

You must register for this event by donating $5 to Climb Nova Scotia via this PayPal button:

For up to date details, check out the Facebook page for this event. We can accommodate a maximum of 20 people, so click the Donate button above to secure your spot! If you need a harness, belay device and/or helmet please let us know. Please carpool if possible.

Michelle Lloyd and other Climb Nova Scotia volunteers will set up top ropes on many of the popular climbs at Sorrows End.  If you wish to rig your own anchors, lead trad, or sport climb that is your decision and not the responsibility of CNS. This is a non-instructional event, not a guiding service. Climbing is dangerous and you are responsible for your own safety, as with any CNS event. Those who are attending feel free to share opinions and knowledge but realize this is not a lesson provided by CNS and no liability can be accepted by Climb Nova Scotia or any of the CNS volunteers present.

The moment you have all been waiting for!!!  Thursday Night Bouldering begins this week (weather permitting).  Every Thursday climbers will meet at the rotary in the church parking lot at 6pm sharp!  From there climbers will carpool to the climbing area scheduled for that evening.  There will usually be someone there who knows where they are going and what the best climbs are in the area BUT if there isn’t make sure you bring your Smart Phone and check out http://www.cnsmobeta.ca/.

Watch out for the black-flies!

Here is your tentative schedule:

Make sure you wear appropriate footwear as you will likely get your feet swamped at least once.  A flashlight or headlamp is always handy as we sometimes hike out after dark.  Dress in comfortable, weather appropriate clothing and bring climbing shoes, chalk and a crash pad if you have them.  Be prepared to chip in for gas if you’re catching a ride with someone – it’s always appreciated.

If you are interested in volunteering please email cns.membership@gmail.com.

It is May 5^th and I wince every time my finger tips touch one of the keys on my key board. I just got back from Annapolis Royal where I put in a full day sesh with some of the most determined and passionate climbers I have ever met. Oh, did I mention they are a bunch of high school students who for the most part have been climbing for less then a year.

Flash Back: January 9th

I received an email from Adam C, a teacher from West Kings District High School, asking me to go and

help out with a youth comp at the wall in his high school. On February 22nd Taylor K and I drove to West Kings with a car full of climbing holds and prizes. We walk in to the high school and meet a small devoted climbing crew based out of the Valley; Derick S, Adam C, Phil C and David A. After shaking hands we get right into it and set late into the night! At 830 the next morning you can see the excitement and anticipation in the eyes of the youth as they arrive for their first climbing competition. In all my years of being in the climbing community I have never seen anyone try as hard as those youth did that day. After an inspiring qualifiers Dillon L, Amos P, Conner B, and Daiki M head to the finals for the men and Rebekah H, Lobke R for the women.

It was amazing to see these competitors dig deep into there empty tanks and find the energy to pull harder then most climbers ever do, one climber had a broken hand and still earned himself a place in finals.. Lobke dug deep and ended up sending every finals problem, but Rebekah really stood out with no energy left she never stopped trying right to the end. Climbers everywhere could take a lesson from her determination.

After the comp I had a talk with Derick he tells me he would like to do a small comp at his school wall in Annapolis Royal and then head out side to the local boulders. After what I just saw I tell him I would be there for sure just let me know when.

April 4^th

I got an email from Derick, he tells me his comp is on for May 4^th. With no hesitation I tell him I will be there.  May 3^rd arrives and Heather and I drive down to set for the comp. This time it is going to be less formal, more of a gathering to pull down. We set 28 problems and head back to Derick for the night. Saturday starts with good food and great coffee provided by Derick and his wife Sarah, and then we head to the wall to let the youth in for the sesh. Again I am astounded by the passion and determination these young adults have for climbing and this time I have the pleasure of climbing with them. We share beta and encourage each other. It was a great time with Lobke and Daiki in a friendly completion pushing each other.

Lobke came in ahead even with Daiki’s send of the Dyno

problem with only minuets left in the comp.  This time Jason a.k.a “arms” stands out in my mind with his happy energy and his determination to get to the next hold even when the feet are too spread out, “arms” has no problem trying to get there by campusing.

After the comp we all went back to Derick’s for lunch to enjoy some sausages freshly cooked over an open fire. Then we headed out to the boulders.

After walking through the old growth forest we come upon a hill side covered in boulders. As Phil put it “it’s like Jurassic Park”. The massive boulders combined with the 100 year old trees gave a confusing sense of scale where in the end you felt small in a land full of giants. After giving it their all in gym the youth still pulled hard on the razor crystals, that is the common feature of these granite boulders.

Present day:

When I go climbing I think about the valley youth. They have inspired me to try hard and dig deep every time I pull on the wall. I think credit needs to be given to Adam, Derick, Joel and Phil as they work towards showing the local community, school board and youth how much fun and beneficial climbing is. The youth climbers determination and passion for climbing, mirrors that of their coaches. The valley climbing community is an inspiration to all climbers.

Our Annual General Meeting will be Thursday, April 18th, 6:30pm at

Oxford Junior High School

6364 North St, Halifax, NS

(enter building from the large school yard, Community School Doors)

Please come and see what we’ve been up to over the last year!

Also:

• Vote on some very important by-law amendments.
• Sign up to volunteer for Thursday Night Bouldering.
• Bring some  pictures of Men, Women and Children Rope Climbing in NS.
  • We want to promote diversity!  Even Sheldon Cooper gave it a try!

Will Gadd, professional ice climber and all-around good guy is coming to Halifax! Tickets are free, but supplies are limited.

Click here to reserve your tickets today!

Climb Nova Scotia, Red Bull, and the Dalhousie Environmental Law Students’ Society are bringing Will to town to give a talk on Tuesday 2 April at 8pm in Theatre B of Dalhousie University’s Tupper Building with support from The Trail Shop, The Maritime Summit Store, Black Diamond, and Arc Teryx.

Admission is free but please bring a donation to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust ($10 suggested).

Your contribution to the Nova Scotian Nature Trust will go a long way toward helping to preserve Nova Scotia’s wild places for future generations to enjoy.

Ask not what Climb Nova Scotia can do for you, but what you can do for Climb Nova Scotia!

CNS is accepting nominations for all executive positions for elections at the annual general meeting on Sunday 21 April 2013. If you are considering a place on the ballot, you must be nominated (or nominate yourself) by emailing climbnovascotia@gmail.com.

You must include your name, the position you are interested in, and a short summary (300 word maximum) of your qualifications and why you want to sit on the board. Further information may also be required.

All incumbents are presently seeking re-election. Nominations will not be accepted after 10 April 2015. Positions and descriptions are as follows:

• President – Ensure alignment of CNS activities with organizational goals and funding qualification criterion, draft meeting agendas, chair monthly meetings, delegate tasks, oversee financials, attend events, deal with government stakeholders, website posts, answer emails, (many) other duties as assigned.
• Treasurer – Manage financials, prepare budget, retain records, steer spending toward targets, attend monthly executive meetings, website posts, answer emails, other duties as assigned.
• Membership Coordinator – Retain up-to-date membership list, mail correspondence and membership cards, attend monthly executive meetings, website posts, answer emails, other duties as assigned.
• Communications Representative (Up to two positions) – Handle external matters, book event venues, postering, advertisement campaigns, approach sponsors, primary email responder, attend monthly executive meetings, website posts, other duties as assigned.
• Access Chair – Monitor all climbing area access issues, uphold excellent relationships with landowners, organize clean and climbs, organize and execute trail maintenance, attend monthly executive meetings, website posts, answer emails, other duties as assigned.
• Diversity Liaison – Social outreach, engagement of new climbers and underrepresented groups, organize and attend events, attend monthly executive meetings, website posts, answer emails, other duties as assigned.
• Secretary – Attend monthly executive meetings, record and distribute meeting minutes, website posts, answer emails, other duties as assigned.

Executive members (with the exception of President) all have a vote in major Climb Nova Scotia undertakings and are expected to exercise their right to vote when called upon. All executive positions are a 1 year term, except for President, which is 2 years in duration.

Executive members are not paid, and typically spend around 5 hours a week on CNS activities when there’s nothing happening, and upwards of 20 hours a week when we are busy. President tends to spend more than these averages. Please don’t nominate yourself if you don’t have the time or motivation to handle this commitment.

If you want to help with CNS but aren’t interested in sitting on the board please let us know. There’s plenty to do and we can always use volunteers for specific projects!

Scooter didn’t book the venue like he said he would for The Scene screening that was scheduled for Thursday so we have to cancel.

Scooter in repose.
Photo by Ben and Krissy Blakney, used without permission.

Come to the second annual Ground Zero Atlantic Canada Climbing Competition on Feb 16th & 17th! Last year was a blast and this year is going to be awesome too.

Climb Nova Scotia will also be unveiling BRAND NEW CNS CUSTOM CRASHPADS to enhance YOUR enjoyment and safety while bouldering at the event! They’re huge!