Facelift wrap up and thank you

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Chicken Skinner

Trad climber
Yosemite
Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 4, 2008 - 09:18pm PT
Over 2,000 people showed up for the 5th annual Yosemite Facelift to help clean up Yosemite National Park. This event is organized by the Yosemite Climbing Association in partnership with the National Park Service and Delaware North Parks and Resorts at Yosemite. The Yosemite Facelift is a California Coastal Cleanup event, a National Public Lands Day event, and the largest Access Fund Adopt a Crag event in the country.

The participants cleaned up trails, roadways, river corridors, campgrounds, lodging and housing areas taking special care to not disrupt archeological sites. Several special projects were taken on with NPS crew leaders, some of these included abandoned phone lines that ran to Nevada Falls and to Mirror Lake. Other special projects included cleaning up a former dumpsite in Tuolumne Meadows and loading up over 400 rusted fire rings for recycling through the generous loan of a backhoe and crew by Candelaria Corporation.

41,631 pounds of trash was gathered and two thirds of it was recycled. Over a hundred miles of trail and sixty miles of roadway were scoured. Over a thousand pounds of non-native plant species were removed and disposed of. Many children’s groups helped with this effort including the Yosemite Institute, the El Portal School, the Yosemite School and a Brownie Troop from Sacramento. These children had a lot of fun and will be the future land stewards of our Public Lands.

The Yosemite Climbing Association treated all Facelift helpers to incredible daily raffles and evening entertainment. Slideshows were provided by Don Lauria, Glen Denny and Dave Nettle. There was a showing of the internationally acclaimed and award winning Reel Rock Film Tour highlighting the film “The Sharp End”. Timmy O’Neil had the crowd roaring with laughter acting as a talk show host with selected climbers and members of the audience. Josh Ritter in partnership with ClifBar’s Music Matters program played a live acoustic set for the audience outdoors under a magical landscape. During the final evening Delaware North Parks and Resorts at Yosemite served Dinner to volunteers and after the final raffle people danced the rest of the evening to music by the extremely talented Jonathan McEuen Band.

Yosemite sparkles once again. Many different user groups came together this year to clean a national treasure. Families, school groups, foreign visitors, hikers, first time Park visitors, and climbers all volunteered. It was obvious by the enthusiasm, smiles, and energy that these volunteers received more than they gave. The Facelift is a shining example of how people from all over the world can work together for a common cause.

Thank you,

Ken Yager

rlf

Trad climber
Josh, CA
Oct 4, 2008 - 09:42pm PT
A HUGE THANKS TO YOU KEN, FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK ON THE FACELIFT AND THE CLIMBERS MUSEUM.

I'll be there next year, I promise.

Robert
Chicken Skinner

Trad climber
Yosemite
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 4, 2008 - 09:47pm PT
Hey Robert,

That would be awesome to see you again. I will be down that way next summer as the exhibit is going to be in the Gene Autry Museum for the summer months (June-August) Might see you then.

Ken
Double D

climber
Oct 4, 2008 - 09:57pm PT
Impressive Ken...thanks for the update and all of your hard work!
Jerry Dodrill

climber
Sebastopol, CA
Oct 4, 2008 - 10:09pm PT
Great work, and wow, impressive amount of stuff taken away. Wish I could have been there to help out.

Congratulations!
-Jerry
Nohea

Trad climber
Aiea,Hi
Oct 4, 2008 - 10:27pm PT
Thank You to everyone involved! Amazing!
Nutcracker Sweet

Social climber
az
Oct 4, 2008 - 11:17pm PT
many thanks to ken, katie, and the YCA for organizing this amazing event. it was my first facelift but it won't be my last. picking up trash is fun!!!
rlf

Trad climber
Josh, CA
Oct 4, 2008 - 11:27pm PT
"Hey Robert,

That would be awesome to see you again. I will be down that way next summer as the exhibit is going to be in the Gene Autry Museum for the summer months (June-August) Might see you then.

Ken"

Definately look me up. We have a 120 acres of prime real estate to camp out on in Josh, not too mention plenty of climbing on the property. You're more than welcome to stay with us!

Robert
Lynne Leichtfuss

Social climber
valley center, ca
Oct 4, 2008 - 11:33pm PT
Just an incredible event. So well organized. So MUCH fun. What a great way to mix work and play....to meet many new friends and experience the Valley of Wow and all the great people that keep it the special place it is.

Katiebird and Ken, you go the huge mile and a half to make everything happen and accomplish it with such grace, composure and professionalism.

We all were so impressed with your family and co workers that we interacted with!

Camping in Yellow Pine and having the private, beautiful Sentinel Beach just a jump away was so very special. Having people like Peter, his beautiful wife and son Finn from Switzerland and Peter's Mom, Meg, from Tasmania camping next to us was just icing on the cake.

Ken and Katie, have had many great life time fun adventures...this was just awesome. Big Smiles and Love from Sun Diego, Lynne Leichtfuss
Chicken Skinner

Trad climber
Yosemite
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 4, 2008 - 11:33pm PT
Thank you Robert,

Prime real estate is hard to come by these days. Sounds nice. Congratulations!

Ken
ron gomez

Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
Oct 4, 2008 - 11:52pm PT
You're God sent for Yosemite Ken, a great event and a greater cause. Was glad to do my small part and small things can make a difference in the larger scheme of things, and I hope to spend many more birthdays helping this cause. Actually, I REALLY hope I can't do this too many more times, in hopes the park is a clean place someday, thanks to events like this.
Thanks Ken
Peace
Ron
jstan

climber
Oct 5, 2008 - 12:13am PT
Hard pressed to say something that has not already been said(better than can I).

Anyway I think, what with the popularity of hacky sac here abouts, we have a chance to create a new olympic sport. Butt grabber relays. A 100 yard relay race where a cigarette butt serves as the baton and it is passed grabber stick to grabber stick. Mid air tosses allowed.

Killer.
norvack

climber
ca
Oct 5, 2008 - 12:30am PT
The display of 3 gallons of cigarette remnants picked up by ONE person in just 6 hours!... all in Yosemite. From small to big, it all adds up. Thank you everyone, especially Ken, for caring and making a difference. Thank you for giving back to OUR Yosemite.
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Oct 5, 2008 - 03:40am PT
hey there ken.. say, way to do... and many a good cheer to you... thanks for loving yosemite, and teaching other to, too... :)
Jingy

Social climber
Flatland, Ca
Oct 5, 2008 - 03:58am PT
Chicken Skinner - Thank you for the invite and the opportunity to help make the park a little better and have a good time doing it.
captain chaos

climber
Oct 5, 2008 - 06:36am PT
Congratulations on another successful Facelift Kenny. I can't say enough as to how fortunate everyone is for your selfless caring and love for the valley too keep it clean, and making sure its history is remembered and recorded. Your a good man Kenny, keep the good work up... tu hermano- Craig
BrassNuts

Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
Oct 5, 2008 - 10:53am PT
A huge THANK YOU to Ken, the Grand Puba of the Facelift and the climbing museum! It was fun to participate in such a great event and also to meet so many of the infamous SuperTopian personalities! Cheers!
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Oct 5, 2008 - 11:22am PT
Ken
My congratulations to you for setting up this incredible
event. It was a privilege to work among some of the best
people around.
Looking forward to next year's Facelift!
Steve
MisterE

Trad climber
My Inner Nut
Oct 5, 2008 - 11:32am PT
Ken and Katie:

Thanks again for all of your hard work - there wasn't too much prep this year, that says volumes about your readiness.

Also, a big shout out to all 2000 participants, it wouldn't be the same without your volunteer efforts!

You both are doing an awesome job, and the museum was great! Hope you get to take it on the road soon.

See you next year, Erik
Fish Finder

Social climber
THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
Oct 5, 2008 - 12:40pm PT



GOD BLESS AMERICA
nita

climber
chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy
Oct 5, 2008 - 01:08pm PT
Ken, Thank you for all your hard work putting this event together, especially appreciated the shower passes, extra bear boxes and porta potties at Yellow Pines. Also thanks for all the coordianted events at the Visitor center (raffles, check in, weigh in, music, refreshments, sponsors).

It is such an amazing event that we now look forward to every year. You have given us an opportunity to give back to the Park that is home and second home to so many of us.

Going in to the climbing exhibit in the Yosemite Museum was a moving experience. After you take the show on the road to JT we hope you get permanent space in the Valley.

love and thanks, nita and andy
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
Oct 5, 2008 - 01:31pm PT
Yeah, Ken, you pretty much kick ass!!! It was nice to finally meet you in person this year.

Thanks for doing what you do and allowing us to help, and for putting up with our shennanigans all the while, it's all in good fun for a good cause.

Thanks, Ken, see ya next year.
Tahoe climber

Trad climber
a dark-green forester out west
Oct 5, 2008 - 02:22pm PT
Nice work, and thank you.
I'm in for next year.

TC
MisterE

Trad climber
My Inner Nut
Oct 5, 2008 - 02:26pm PT
I feel like I should be demoted.
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
Oct 5, 2008 - 02:30pm PT
Eric, you are demoted, how could you bail before I got there??

Maybe I was a little late in showing though...Alright we're both demoted to Grunt status.

..next year...
jstan

climber
Oct 5, 2008 - 06:11pm PT
All kidding aside, Lara is doing a really important job and doing it very well.
Mighty Hiker

Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 5, 2008 - 06:15pm PT
"Next year I want to work the booth with Lara the poop bag lady :)"

The symbolism begs for the appropriate witticism.
happiegrrrl

Trad climber
New York, NY
Oct 5, 2008 - 08:46pm PT
Memorable Moment: The glowing pride on Ken's face the ENTIRE time his son was up on stage during the Timmy O'Neil Show.

What a wonderful event. I am so glad I attended the Facelift. Can't wait for next year's!
labrat

Trad climber
Nevada
Oct 6, 2008 - 12:09am PT
Thank You Ken!!!!
Two great days on 120. I had a great time and I'm planning to come back next year and mix in some climbing / hiking. Have the dates been set?
Erik O.
Llama

Big Wall climber
The bubble that is Irvine, CA
Oct 6, 2008 - 12:49am PT
Awesome numbers!!! Glad to be a part of it... even though I only made it 'cause I bailed on my El Cap route... oh well hahaha it was worth it!
Fishy

climber
Oct 6, 2008 - 11:32am PT
Team Switzerland is now back home, and still enjoying a warm glowing feeling of all the people we met in Yellow Pines, and the great clean-up that Ken puts together. We will do all we can to be back next year!

Hi to all that we met, incl. Lynne, Greg and our other regular breakfast comrades.

Cheers

Pete, Sabrina and Finn.
M3(mad moderate mtnr)

Mountain climber
Sac'to, CA
Oct 7, 2008 - 12:21pm PT
Hey Ken & the YCA support crew!

Another fine job, and inspiring work!
Sorry I missed ya'll this time around. Kids, school, and work overwhelmed me this year! Hope to make it in '09, and bring some fine wine!

Pancake Man
Crimpergirl

Social climber
Boulder, Colorado!
Oct 7, 2008 - 12:39pm PT
You were very much missed Pancake Man. Glad you'll be there next year!
graham

Social climber
Ventura, California
Oct 7, 2008 - 01:41pm PT
Thanks for pulling it off again Ken.

See you in Nov.

Mike
paganmonkeyboy

climber
mars...it's near nevada...
Oct 7, 2008 - 01:52pm PT
thank you ken for all your hard work and letting us come help with such a project - *many thanks*
-tom

(and yeah pancake man - we missed you for sure bro ! where you been ?)
nita

climber
chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy
Oct 7, 2008 - 02:22pm PT
Ken, was the dump site in Tuolumne the old horse camp ground? That place was a big dumpy mess, i used to hate walking passed it. If i recall correctly,it was defuncted in 1979-1980.


Pancake man Tim, Yep, we did miss having you and your family at the facelift. ;-(. You would of loved the griddle i brought to camp, you could easily crank down 16 cakes at a time.
looking sketchy there...

Social climber
Latitute 33
Oct 8, 2008 - 12:28am PT
Sorry I missed this event. Thanks to everyone who organized and attended.
Fish Finder

Social climber
THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
Oct 16, 2008 - 08:49pm PT
hey fishy and family,

glad you made it home safe.

it was great to meet you, sabrina , finn and meg. what a fun time.

i am at the ahwahnee now as i am here for the yca art auction.

very cool event....... you are all missed.

say a big hello to that rowdy boy finn for me.

i will email you soon .

regards gregg
Messages 1 - 38 of total 38 in this topic
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