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Josh Higgins
Trad climber
San Diego
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 24, 2013 - 02:57pm PT
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Copied and pasted from my public Facebook invitation with 85 signups as of 2/9/13:
The Santee boulders have been covered in spray paint since I started bouldering there in 1999. The climbing community has decided that it's time to change that, and needs your help. A collaboration between a group of climbers will be heading out there Feb 10th to rid the boulders of all spray paint in one mega effort. The cleanup is being organized by a collaboration of local climbers, including the USD Climbing Team, and is sponsored by the Allied Climbers of San Diego and Mesa Rim Climbing and Fitness Center.
We did a trial run a month ago, and made a successful dent, completely ridding the Donkey boulder of all paint for the first time in well over a decade. What we learned was that we need two things in large quantity: water and people willing to scrub. Removing the paint is not easy, and requires heavy scrubbing with steel brushes, pressure washers, a lot of "Taginator", and hundreds of gallons of water.
This is where you come in. In order for this event to be successful, simply put, we need YOUR help. Bring your shoes, chalk, and crash pads, and hopefully we can get enough people out there that we have some scrubbing and others climbing, and we can cycle through. I have organized a very successful similar event up at Woodson, and it was a really good time. Sign up, spread the word (and this invite) with enthusiasm, and if you have a large jugs of water that hold 3-7 gallons, please bring it full so we can drive it up the hill to feed the pressure washers. Bring sun and skin protection and wear long sleeve clothes that can get dirty. Gloves will prevent blisters, and I'm sure we could use more steel brushes if you've got them
There will be a BBQ at lunch, so food will be provided. That means we can focus on climbing, cleaning, and having a great time. I hope to see you at the rocks!
Thank you very much,
Josh Higgins
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Jan 24, 2013 - 03:13pm PT
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Good on ya.
Effective removal takes a bunch of elbow grease and persistence, but it makes a HUGE difference. Thanks for what you are doing.
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Josh Higgins
Trad climber
San Diego
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 4, 2013 - 10:13pm PT
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Bumpity bump bump!
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bvb
Social climber
flagstaff arizona
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This is worthy Josh. I'm on the way injured list but I may show up to take pics and provide comic relief!
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Damn. It's too bad San Diego is a thousand miles away, or I'd be there. Seriously, if you want dedicated scrubbers, climbers from the PNW and Squamish are your ideal candidates.
Best wishes for a worthy event.
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Josh Higgins
Trad climber
San Diego
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 10, 2013 - 12:32am PT
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BVB, come have some fun! I'm hoping it's a productive and social event.
Last minute, if you're not doing anything else, bumpity bump bumptasticness!
Josh
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
the crowd MUST BE MOCKED...Mocked I tell you.
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Feb 10, 2013 - 12:53am PT
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Thx for the good work y'all.
I want to get on some Santee goodness this year, if possible, and I'm sure your efforts are going to make a difference! So thank you much!
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
bouldering
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Feb 10, 2013 - 01:32am PT
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Blatant enhancement.
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karodrinker
Trad climber
San Jose, CA
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Feb 10, 2013 - 02:51am PT
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Nice! We need this at Summit Rock, a damn shame what has become of that once gorgeous crag.
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Josh Higgins
Trad climber
San Diego
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 10, 2013 - 02:59am PT
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Karo,
Then make it happen! If everyone says that something needs to happen, and the does nothing about it, that's sad. Start promoting and organizing months out, and it isn't too bad at all!
Josh
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Josh Higgins
Trad climber
San Diego
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 10, 2013 - 09:05pm PT
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Roughly 80 people, hundreds of man-hours of scrubbing and spraying, 550 gallons of water, and tons of fun later Santee is in MUCH MUCH BETTER CONDITION! I'd say we wiped out over 80% of all spray paint up there, if not more. If your area needs the help, start organizing and make it happen! Or join your local climbing related non-profit. Ours is the Allied Climbers of San Diego: www.alliedclimbers.org
Josh
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karodrinker
Trad climber
San Jose, CA
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Feb 10, 2013 - 09:26pm PT
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its illegal to go there, but when it opens, i'm on it.
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mooser
Trad climber
seattle
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Feb 10, 2013 - 09:44pm PT
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Way to go, Josh and crew! It's been pretty vandalized since at least '75 (when I first started frequenting the place), but has gotten progressively worse through the years. Really wish I could've joined you, but missed it by a week.
Great work, and thank you!
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Josh Higgins
Trad climber
San Diego
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 10, 2013 - 11:34pm PT
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You're welcome. Head out there and check out the improvement. Far from perfect, but much better!
Closure is definitely a good reason to not clean it up...
Josh
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mooser
Trad climber
seattle
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Feb 10, 2013 - 11:46pm PT
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Will do!
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bvb
Social climber
flagstaff arizona
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Feb 11, 2013 - 03:55am PT
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Please tell me you let this work of art stay in place! It's a classic!
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Feb 11, 2013 - 08:36am PT
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Great work and thanks to all who helped! I haven't been there since 1980 but I hope to toughen up my tips and make it out there sometime.
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Ihateplastic
Trad climber
It ain't El Cap, Oregon
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Feb 11, 2013 - 08:52am PT
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Would love to see pics from the event. This was a very worthwhile cause and event. Nice work!
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justthemaid
climber
Jim Henson's Basement
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Feb 11, 2013 - 09:18am PT
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This is awesome.
Pics! Pics!
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Roxy
Trad climber
CA Central Coast
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Feb 11, 2013 - 11:07am PT
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Noble!
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