When Doug Nidever (1) and I where on the top of the Manure Pile Buttress, a huge storm was brewing up Yosemite Valley from us. We barely reached the Valley floor when the heavens opened up. While getting our gear stored, we were able to share a bit with some other wet climbers and left them with a Tobin Sorenson tract.

Group After Sunday Morning Worship

As we drove up the Valley, I realized it was Saturday afternoon and told Doug, "We were supposed to be preparing a free outreach dinner for climbers at Camp 4 right now." It was really great to see that God in His sovereignty provided a change of plans that saved us the trouble of cooking a meal in the middle of a severe thunder storm for climbers who would have largely abandoned Camp 4 for the many indoor places in the Valley to hang-out during foul weather.

The rest of story begins in August when we had applied for a special use permit to serve a meal at Camp 4. It is something the SRCFC has done from time to time in the past. The week before the event, the NPS staff finally got back to us and said we needed someone who was certified in the state of CA as a Food Service Manager. With an amazing come through by the Lord, SRCFC member, Melinda of Sacramento, said she could fulfill that role.

On Wednesday of the National Conference (two days before the scheduled dinner), the NPS staff member finally got with Melinda and she was approved for the needed position at our event. He went on to say that is, "All we need to do now is to get my boss and the Park Superintendent to sign-off." "Wonderful!" I thought as that would have been nice to know before we jumped through all the other hoops first.

Thursday afternoon, we got word that the permit had been denied (2) for rather vague reasons about the meal not fitting with the vision the Superintendent has for park visitors. I was bummed as that was to be our main outreach effort during the National Conference. But looking back, it saved us a huge amount of work for naught. Thank-you Jesus!

Other than that side-step, the gathering was awesome. The thirty-three who attended at some point during the event were encouraged and equipped. Jason Graves, SRCFC Member and of author of "anchoredman," spoke three times on the importance and the practice of staying anchored to Jesus. I was able to share a couple of times on how to do evangelism to climbers. Doug Englekirk and Ryan Bolen did a great job leading us in worship.

Our Project was Asphalt Removal

The Yosemite Facelift was such a natural way to connect with climbers. Our main day of volunteering found ten of us pulling asphalt out the ground by hand to return that section of the Valley floor to its natural state. Working alongside of "Riley," several of us were able to share a word or two about Jesus. And during the evening programs, many connections were made.

And of course there were undaunted tales of climbing on the fine Yosemite granite: stories of first leads on gear to descending the cables on Half Dome in a lighting storm. It's always such a joy to enjoy God's creation with other Christian climbers. I arrived a day early and climbed the East Buttress of El Cap with the speaker and stayed after the conference to attempt Astroman. You can read more about it in a new section of our website where members with great Trip Reports and/or Informational Write-ups about climbing areas can have them posted. See El Cap, Nabisco Wall & Astroman. Also at the website you will find an image gallery of the National Conference.

Our tradition for National Conferences is to have the "even year's" events in the Rocky Mountain Region. Soon we will be announcing the exact details. When we do, get your calendar out so you don't miss our next event.

(1) Read more of the story of Doug Nidever.

(2) We are in the process of asking for the decision in writing and prayerfully asking for more clarification or other options for ministry in the Valley. We still can have Solid Rockers camping in Camp 4 inviting folks camping over for dinner.