If you haven’t been to the New River Rendezvous yet, then you are missing out. Honestly I’m not just out here trying to pitch it to you and make you drink the kool-aid. The Rendezvous is arguably one of, if not THE best climbing events in the country. I just got back from the 6^th annual New River Rendezvous. And yes, it rained. It’s that “Wet, Wild, West Virginia.” This was my 4^th Rendezvous. It was just as special as the rest that preceded it. It has rained every year I’ve gone. And by the grace of The Big Guy upstairs, the sun comes out and everyone gets to rock climb. 

There was A LOT of rain this year compared to years past. So I guess it was a bit reminiscent of the first year. A lot of the usual suspects were present. And that added to the nostalgia. So of course I gots to give shout outs to my MAMMUT boys Ian Conner for coming through BIG, and Peter Kamitses and Dean Lords for proving to people that they’re real people too. ‘Ayo we come stompin through like elephants!’ OH! And for my Deep South boys Ronnie Jenkins and Ben Henson for coming along for the ride. 

The Rendezvous consists of more than just rock climbing. Its fellowship extends all the way out through climbing clinics, fundraising, local education, yoga, green initiatives, slacklining, slideshows, desertapalooza, bar-b-queing, sumo-crash pad-wrestling, plastic night-time dyno comp, hip hop, rock n roll, adult beverage drinking, dancing…do you get my point? It’s a fun packed weekend that will rock your world!!!!!! 

The New River Gorge is home to some of THE BEST sandstone climbing in the country (That’s right, the secret’s out, Southern Sandstone is the best. “If ya don’t know, now you know…”). And The New has it all: killer Bouldering, Trad Climbing, Deep Water Soloing, and Sport climbing that rivals it’s brother neighbor The Red River Gorge (4 hours away). 

Shout outs to Kenny ‘The Original Gangster’ Parker and Maura ‘Mamma’ Hood at Waterstone for everything that they do to pull off such an inspiring and respectable event—THANK YOU for all your support! ALL the volunteers behind the scenes. And every last company out there that is making this event not only happen, but CONTINUE year after year. The New River Rendezvous is special…Big UPs to those making it happen.

Stay up,
—Lee