|
|
|
|
|
|
Autumn is finally here!!!!!
If you've been anticipating the fall season like we have, then the wait is finally over. Fox Mountain Guides have been out on the autumnal rock, on African summits, in local magazines, and around the country teaching and enjoying the best season for rock climbing. The chill of winter has not hit North Carolina yet, but we're enjoying the cool days in shirt sleeves, the crisp and dry rock, all with the majestic backdrop of autumn foliage.
In this newsletter, we're reporting on a slew of travels and adventures, sending out some news flashes from Fox Mountain Guides, and previewing the host of opportunities available this fall and winter.
As always, its an exciting and busy time of year. Don't miss another great leaf season, the best time of the year for climbing, and your chance to get out there to see it up close. We hope we'll see you soon! |
|
 
Fox Mountain Guides are everywhere!
So far this Fall, the big themes here at Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School are travels and exposure. Instructors have been taking some exciting trips further afield, venturing farther and farther from the home crags in North Carolina. We're also excited to get some great exposure on the internet, in magazines, and with climbing coalitions and organizations.
Karsten Delap just returned from a frenetic expedition to Kenya, climbing the second tallest peak in continental Africa. He was psyched to report that even in the worst conditions on the mountain this year did not stop his team from pushing to a highpoint of 16,000 feet, the highest point reached by a climbing team this season. Karsten is fired up about African summits, planning his next trip as we speak.
Ron Funderburke has been on the move this fall as well. Co-teaching an AMGA SPI Course and Assessment in Horshoe Canyon Ranch in Arkansas with Karsten Delap, Lead Climbing Instruction in Muir Valley Kentucky, another AMGA SPI Course and Assessment in Colorado Springs for the Air Force Academy, and competing at Hound Ears Bouldering Competition: Ron is wondering if he'll get to spend another day on Looking Glass Rock this year.
WNC Magazine featured Ron Funderburke and Billy Day in a beautiful article on rock climbing in Western North Carolina. Harrison Shull shot the photos on an amazing fall day in 2008 at Cedar Rock. Here, a year later, WNC has published the photos to advertise another outstanding leaf season in North Carolina. Harrison is a true artist and his photos blend the autumn orange, a Mammut Infinity, and an FMG logo with subtle craftmanship.
FMG Single Pitch Instructors have also been a prolific addition to North Carolina crags this fall. Billy Day, Lindsay Fixmer, Tracy Martin, Tyler Parker, and Dom Smith have been working with Boy Scout Groups, Charter Schools, Church Groups, and families all over the state.
|
|
 Ice Climbing with FMG
If you started sharpening your ice tools at the first sign of frost like we have, you'll be psyched to know about the two big ways to get your ice days in this year with FMG. Join the NC Ice List or sign up now for our New England Ice Trip. We are still offering a 10% discount for New England bookings made before November 1st.
February 2010 will be FMG's 5th annual ice climbing program in the New England. We have rented another commodious 18 person cabin just outside the Northeast's 'ice climbing capital' of North Conway, NH. So, we are offering an array of ice climbing courses and guiding opportunities. The great conditions and stellar ice climbing coupled with the complete package of accommodation, food and staying with the guides make this an unforgettable trip. Regardless of your experience, the hardened veteran or the total beginner alike, the New England Ice Climbing Trip will offer something remarkable this winter.
As always, North Carolina Ice will arrive in December in all its ephemeral glory! Get your days in by joining the NC Ice List. You simply email info@foxmountainguides.com, request that your name and email address be added to the list, and we'll keep you posted the best opportunities to climb ice in the southeast. When conditions are favorable and guides are available, we'll send out an eblast, taking bookings for corresponding dates and locations on a first-come-first-serve basis. |
|
FMG Summer Camp Dates and Schedules Posted
FMG Summer Camps were a big hit again this year. So, we've posted dates for 2010 summer camps, and we're offering an early bird discount for summer camp enrollment. If you enroll your camper in summer camp before November 15th, 2009, we'll give you a 10% discount.
Returning campers and advanced climbers should note the arrival of our first Advanced Camp. The schedule is more intense, the climbing is la ittle tougher, and we pick up where the regular summer camp drops off: learning to lead, multipitch climbing, with more sport climbing and bouldering. For beginners or those less experienced climbers, look forward to another summer of open enrollment and family camp will be available. |
|
Guide Profile: Tracy Martin
Maybe you've been lucky enough to climb with one of our newest Fox Mountain Guides, Tracy Martin. If you have, you know that she is a brilliant climber, an insightful and compassionate instructor, and one of the friendliest people at the crag. But you might not know that Tracy's first climbing days were pretty inauspicious. How about a couple cocktail waitresses in Lake Tahoe chatting about how one wants to try Rock Climbing while the other agreed to take her? How about a climber who climbed one time on a 5.8 top-rope and started buying trad gear the next day? How about a climber who now climbs 5.12 but doesn't care if it's sport or trad 'cause she can't tell the difference?
 You also might not know that Tracy is an accomplished graphic designer, painter, and artistic editor. You might not know that she's published art and design for Climbing Magazine, that she was the Artistic Director at Rock And Ice, that she assembled the layout and design for Rock Warrior's Way by Arno Ilgner. Like most Fox Mountain Guides, Tracy Martin is multi-talented.
Tracy is an AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor and she has successfully completed the AMGA Rock Instructor Course.
If you are lucky, you will get to climb with Tracy while she is still on her most recent stint in the Asheville area. She's got a restless spirit, so if you wait too long she might be off on a road trip adventure, crushing alpine rock all over the lower 48, or spreading the love to climbers and students in other parts of the country. Wherever her whims take her, we're psyched that Tracy considers North Carolina her home, that she shares her climbing passion and many talents with Fox Mountain Guides, and hopefully with you too.
|
 Tech Tip
This Tech Tip is from Karsten and Adam, who have made a video that looks at the sometimes elusive transition for using a plaquette device like an ATC Guide or a Reverso. How are you supposed to lower with one of those things?
Check out our newest tech tip to find out.
|
In this newsletter we are giving away a Misty Mountain Threadworks Chalk Bag, donated from our store Guides Gear Outfitters. Misty Mountain is a Partner with Fox Mountain Guides. We are honored to work with Misty Mountain and use their top quality products each day we guide!
Last quarter, Cristin Julian won the Misty Mountain Ranger Harness, and Blythe Clifford won a Mammut 10.5 60m rope. Thank you all again for participating and good luck in this quarter's competition.
This issue's competition is a real easy question. Whoever gets the closest estimate wins the chalk bag:
"How many people were guided or instructed by Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School in 2008"?
Email info@foxmountainguides.com with your answer, name and contact info before December 1st 2009. Winners will be selected at random on December 1st, 2009.
| |
|
|
|
Have a safe and fun Autumn on the rock!
Sincerely,
The Guides of Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School
3228 Asheville HWY,
Pisgah Forest,
NC, 28768
1-888-28-GUIDE
|
|
|
| Save 15% |
All previous clients of Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School
save 15% off any future program booked through the office after today!
|
| Offer Expires: December 30th 2009 |
|
|
