The Saturday morning flash rally at the Motherlode pushed the RocTrip/Roctoberfest event to new realms. It was perhaps the biggest outdoor climbing event in the U.S. I’ve ever seen, says Chuck Odette, Petzl Event and Sponsorship Coordinator. While crowds lined the amphitheatre of the crag to watch athletes and locals battle to rack up the most points, the competitors for the Open and Athlete division hiked up to flash the designated routes.

Overall winners

  • Petzl women: Emily Harrington
  • Petzl men: Steve Mc Clure & Said Belhaj
  • Open women: Kasia Weglarz
  • Open men: Future Roden

After the show, the party started at Red River Outdoors. Local restaurant Bourbon and Toulouse provided a Cajun-style dinner, and a bluegrass band played. The raffle swag giveaway rained free products like Christmas and was followed by a silent auction. Later, Timmy O’Neil came out for a roast and some more MC entertainment.

After pre-registration was tallied, Petzl’s contribution and the grant match gathered, donations logged, $4500 from the RockSport event and other income accounted for, the Petzl RocTrip/Roctoberfest announced that the event reached the final goal – to meet the PRMP payment for next year. With the mortgage for 2008 already met, nearly a year in advance, the RRGCC can now focus on getting ahead of the payment. Morgain Sprague, RRGCC Fundraising Coordinator, says she is amazed at the amount of support that both locals and companies, especially Petzl, have extended to the community.