The wait is over!
Click here to register for this year’s Convention.
Every person who plans to attend the Convention must fill out this form.
See you at the New!
Homoclimbtastic 2018 Registration
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Author Archives: c-pow
Come hang with us!
Homoclimbtastic welcomes rock climbers from near and far to experience world-class rock climbing at the New River Gorge in beautiful West Virginia.
Climb trad? We’ve got that.
Climb sport? We’ve got that, too.
Bouldering? There’s some of that, too.
Are you a top-roper? Make some friends and shoot up those routes!
Homoclimbtastic is for everybody who has a modicum of outdoor rock climbing experience. The pages on our website can help guide you through eligibility requirements and registration, so take advantage of the resources online, and get ready for an adventure you’ll never forget!
Always the third full weekend in July, this year we’re all set for July 20-23, 2017.
Homoclimbtastic 2017 Convention!
Are you rrrrrrready?!
Registration is open for the 2017 Convention.
Every person who plans to attend must fill out a registration form.
You can fill it out online here. See you at the New River Gorge: July 20-23!
Annual Convention Climbs to New Heights
Laganja Estranga as Rachel Zoe. Literally? Ugh.
If you know anything about me at all, you probably know that since we wrapped the 2013 Homoclimbtastic Convention last July, I have been swimming in a pool of bow ties. As much as I despise the word “literally,” I would use it here to emphasize the point and sound more hip and trendy–but no. I’m no Rachel Zoe. Not even close.
Aside from bow ties, Homoclimbtastic is a cause near and dear to my heart, and to the hearts of countless others. Everybody who works for Homoclimbtastic has a real live day job (or night job, or both, depends on what they’re into), and we all use the time we have left over to work and plan this great big homo-ho-down in the gorge every summer. It’s a labor of love, and the reward is SO gratifying regardless of the lack of paychecks. So for me, whilst in the throes of bow tie fabrics, patterns, websites, buyers, and inventories, Homoclimbtastic planning crept slowly into the present. No lie, July seems really far away when it’s October. With a dedicated team of planners and volunteers and phone calls out the wazoo over the past few months, the registration is finally open for this year’s convention. Remember that little tiny note that hit the Facebooks with some dates on it back in November? November.. that was ages ago, right? Yeah, that note was tiny, I know. Well anyway, those dates stuck (not so surprisingly, it has been that same weekend for like, four years). If you missed it, it’s JULY 16-20, 2014. That’s a Wednesday thru a Sunday. To optimize your climbing time with the big group, you’ll want to arrive sometime on Wednesday and plan to leave sometime on Monday. If you’re adventurous and really super excited to be in West Virginia, plan to come early or stay late… we don’t mind, and we love it when people are really into it and the energy is super high all the way through the convention. Just don’t burn out before everybody starts climbing on Thursday! If you plan to stretch your trip out, remember that other groups may be on the campground or may have cabins reserved before and/or after our official dates– that’s Nancy’s call– but it’s all us from Wednesday thru Sunday.
So what’s happening this year? Well, we have a whole lot of options to consider, and some more phone calls, emails, letters, carrier pigeons, etc to send, but as soon as more things are nailed down, we’ll broadcast to the interwebs for everybody to see. We know for sure that The American Alpine Club will be joining us again this year (yay!) and we’ll be doing another auction of some super cool sponsored gear and stuff… you won’t want to miss that. It’s going to be a little different this year, though; the auction will be a smaller part of our overall evening entertainment, and you should prepare to be entertained. Porsche Ferrari will be joining us again this year– when she starts her engines, she’ll drag the house down. Literally? No. Well, maybe in drag-speak. Not going there.
Cantrell’s is our host again this year, and they couldn’t be happier to have us back. Every time I talk to Nancy on the phone, it’s an outpouring of love that can’t be matched. Their campground is more than just a venue for our little gathering, it is our home away from home for five hot summer days. It is the South, after all. When Richie, Nancy, Jessie and the gang are around, it’s like we’re all at home and they’re our family.
Chris
chris@homoclimbtastic.com
If you forgot some gear, or it got lost on your flight out, or you never had it in the first place but want it so bad you can taste it, WaterStone Outdoors is our local go-to for everything you could possibly want from gear to raincoats to socks. Check them out on Facebook, too, they would love to be your friend.
So for now, get to that registration page, register, and email me if you want to get on the cabin list.
< that’s me.. the one in the bow tie.
Come back to the website often for updates on all things Homoclimbtastic Convention (yes, they will happen from time to time)! As always, check out the Facebook page and group to learn more about Homoclimbtastic, other LGBT rock climbing organizations, and rock climbing in general.
NOW GO REGISTER FOR HC2014!
It’s Time!!
Well folks, it’s time to get this show on the road! See the information below to ensure the best possible experience at Homoclimbtastic 2013! I advise you to print this for easy reference.
start your engines, ’cause here we go!
ITINERARY
WEDNESDAY
8AM – 8PM Check-In with Chris at Cantrell’s in Fayetteville
Go climb if you arrive early
Dinner OYO – Support Local Business!
Campsite Mix & Mingle
THURSDAY
8AM Breakfast at Cantrell’s
8:45AM Welcome and Morning Announcements
9AM – 6PM Climbing
8PM Pies and Pints Pizza Night
FRIDAY
8AM Breakfast at Cantrell’s
8:45AM Morning Announcements and Ice-Breakers
9AM – 6PM Climbing
9AM – 1PM Whitewater Rafting
7PM Dinner OYO or at Cantrell’s Pub
8PM Homoclimbtastic Documentary Screening: Climbing With Pride
Campsite Games and Comedy Show
SATURDAY
8AM Breakfast at Cantrell’s
8:45AM Morning Announcements
9AM – 6PM Climbing at Summersville
7PM Dinner OYO – Support Local Business!
8PM Presentation by Lisa Hummel for American Alpine Club
HC/AAC/NRAC Auction with Hostess, Porsche Ferrari
Dance Party all night at the Bar
SUNDAY
9AM Picnic Brunch at City Hall: Downtown Fayetteville
Announcements and Group Photo
12PM Climbing
Campsite Night
MONDAY
10AM Pack and Depart
time to climb
NOTES
Checking in with Chris upon your arrival is important. Please do not neglect this.
Times listed on this itinerary are tentative, but please make every effort to be ON TIME to the evening events: Pies and Pints, documentary screening, and the auction. Direct from the crag or showered and clean, nobody cares one way or another. Just show up.
Morning announcements can save you lots of headache. Show up on time and listen closely. This is where we will, more-or-less, determine what groups are going to what crags for the day.
Breakfast is provided by Nancy at Cantrell’s for $9 daily.
Saturday’s climbing destination is Summersville for fun group time. Every other climbing destination is yours to pick. Find a group going somewhere fun and hit the trails.
Whitewater rafting is $70. Actual departure and return time may vary from this itinerary.
Cantrell’s and Homoclimbtastic now take PLASTIC! That means you can bring your credit/debit card to pay for various sundries at the campsite and at the big auction. Three cheers! Hooray!
Support local business while you’re visiting Fayetteville. This town does a lot for us, so let’s do our part to make that support reciprocal.
Pay what you owe. Do not assume that things are free. Camping, lodging, food and rafting are the major expenses you should expect during the trip. You’ll want to bring extra for auction items!
Get to know, and exchange telephone numbers with the person driving you to and from the crag. Carpools might take a piece of advice and STICK TOGETHER so nobody gets left behind. Confirm and re-confirm carpool changes. Nobody wants to be left at the crag in the rain all night with no food or water. That would suck.
It might rain. Plan accordingly. There are climbing areas that are always dry and areas that dry quickly… do some research or pay attention at morning announcements.
Homoclimbtastic leaders are NOT climbing instructors. Know what you’re doing or be sure you’re hanging out with someone who does.
Introduce yourself to new people! There are over 150 registered climbers for this year’s event; make new friends… these new friendships can be amazing!
BE SAFE! Wear a helmet when climbing, check and double-check your gear, wear a PFD when rafting, don’t play with poisonous snakes on the approach, use protection between the sheets etc, etc… remember that we’re doing potentially dangerous activities, so use common sense.
Relax. Breathe. Enjoy. The schedule might vary a little—sometimes a lot. Climbing trips aren’t perfect. Enjoy your vacation and leave the stress behind!
WHAT TO BRING
climbing gear
(hardware: ‘biners, draws, belay devices, etc; software: harness, rope, shoes, slings, etc; bring what you know you need and everything else just in case)
climbing helmet
(this one is mega important because there can be falling rocks at the new—stay safe)
rafting gear including good shoes for whitewater rafting… loose shoes and sandals get lost
campers need camping gear… be prepared for rain!
cabin people need linens or camp sleep gear
clothes
(contrary to popular belief, we do not always run around nekkid in the south… it may be encouraged in some situations, but it is not always appropriate)
rain gear
toiletry items
(the bathhouse is centrally located on campground property)
swimsuit
rafts and pool/lake floatation toys
essential items for Saturday’s gator ‘rasslin outing to Summersville Lake. don’t forget your sunscreen!
picnic supplies (blankets, quilts, baskets, pillows, etc) for our sunday picnic brunch: think “mini pride picnic brunch in the park”…really try to go all out for this
picnic time
money for: lodging, food, auction, rafting, shopping at waterstone, groceries
friendly donations to homoclimbtastic are generously accepted
items for talent/comedy show
camera!
anything and everything else you can possibly think of
Looking forward to a great trip! Safe travels, everybody… see you there!!
You’ve Got One More Week…
Attention all climbers! You’ve got ONE week until the most badass international LGBT rock climbing convention ever!!
You say you haven’t registered for Homoclimbtastic yet…?
Here are some things you can expect at this year’s event:
– Shirtless hotties
– World-class rock climbing
– Climbing gear auction
– Whitewater rafting
– Sarcasm and new inside jokes
– American Apline Club realness
– Amazing food
– Private screening of our documentary “Climbing With Pride”
– More shirtless hotties
– Climbing commoroderie
– Summersville Lake swimming and blow-up alligator ‘rasslin
– Porsche Ferrari, Denver’s hottest drag queen
– Sunday brunch picnic in the square
– Visits from Waterstone’s pride parade sponsors
– Climbing harness bulges
– Fayetteville’s favorite “temporary” gay bar
– Even more shirtless hotties
– and more and more and more…
is that a potato in there?
So complete your registration online NOW to secure your spot for Fayetteville’s gayest event (well, maybe second to Waterstone’s promo) of 2013!
PS: there are some new cabin spots available (ahhhhh, air conditioning)… email chris@homoclimbtastic.com for details– but you’d better hurry!
Registration now OPEN for 2013 Convention
It’s that time again, folks… time to register for the 2013 Homoclimbtastic Convention!
Mark your calendars for July 17 through July 21 to take a trip to Fayetteville, West Virginia to join the world’s largest group of LGBT rock climbers as we descend upon one of the best sport climbing areas in the nation.
How to Register:
Click here to fill out the registration form. Fill it out entirely, otherwise it will take you back to answer questions you forgot. That’s no fun, so knock it out. When you see the confirmation page, you’re done! If you are unsure about whether or not you can attend, fill out the form anyway and let us know later what your decision is.
How to Reserve Your Accommodations:
If you’re camping, let us know on the registration form… that is what reserves your spot. Camping is paid for in cash at Cantrell’s when you arrive. If you’re a pretty pretty princess like me and want to stay in a cabin with a shower and air conditioning, send me an email and let me know that you’re interested. I’ll email you back with some info about the cabin reservations. Cabin reservations are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED, but I can only take cabin reservations from those who have registered. Note: there IS a bathhouse for campers, it’s not entirely wilderness camping.
About the Accommodations:
Tent camping is $9 per night (cash). Cabins run from $70 to $210 per night (don’t scoff, you have to split it up, folks). Cabins have a roof, AC, and fewer bugs. There are some bungalows, some Deluxe Amish Cabins, the Country Cabin, and the Barn Loft-style Cabin.
Please remember to note: our accommodations site is CASH or CHECK ONLY. We will not be able to use plastic (the kind you pay for things with, anyway) in any way, shape, form, or fashion. You’ll have to go into town to use an ATM if you forget your checkbook.
Occasionally we will get emails from anxious yankees who are terrified of rain, Southerners, humidity, and Deliverance. We can’t promise that you won’t hear the faint pang of a banjo string, but we can definitely offer you a refreshing lake to cool off in that’s about ten feet from the climbing, food so good it’s escandalo, the hijinks of the Homoclimbtastic leaders and members, aaaaaaand world class sport routes (with plenty of trad routes to keep those with high ankled shoes occupied). It’s the South, y’all!
After You Register:
Hang tight and look for a confirmation email from me. If you haven’t heard from me in a week or two, shoot me an email.
Stay In Touch:
Contact me if you have questions, I’ll be glad to help you out! Email me at chris@homoclimbtastic.com. Follow us on Twitter @homoclimbtastic and @chrisavret. Like us on Facebook.
Get pumped, start training, and get ready for the best LGBT climbing event you’ve ever seen!
Taking over a whole town ain’t easy, but if anybody can do it, we can!
See you at the New!
Get Your Calendar Ready for Homoclimbtastic!
There is something that you need to know.
Queer climbers will be invading the New River Gorge in West Virginia again this summer…
…and it’s going… to be… AMAZING!!!!
got time off work for the homoclimbtastic convention. fuck yeah.
SOOOOO… SAVE THE DATE!! JULY 17-21, 2013
Write it on your calendar. In pen… and pink highlighter. Write yourself a bunch of post-it notes. In sharpie. Clear the time off with your boss. Talk to your local queer climbing group about carpooling and/or flight options (it’s never too early). Start saving up cash for the AAC climbing swag auction hosted by the fabulous Porsche Ferrari. Start your training regimen. Get ready… cause it’s going to be a blast!!
Check back soon for the registration form and all the other really important details that you’ll need to know. It’s good stuff.
HomoClimbtastic 