2011 Rockfest?

[KRAKER]

Is the ball rolling yet? Or is it going to be left up to the new BOD? I hope not. The Rockfest I organized, was a fulltime job when I was appointed to handle it @ Jan 1 of that year.

[CrashSomers]

bet a buck nothing is going.

[YEAGS]

I was wondering the same thing myself. i was newer to the boards last year but i kind of remember there being a thread at this time last year for it already in the events section?

[cdhowell]

Kraker for president !!!

[jeep pox]

Vote for Pedro!!! Er... I mean vote for Kracker!!

[KRAKER]

hahaha you guys.... I'm not sure how to interpret that Charlie... But, seriously though has anything been done? If not planning a good annual festival is going to be a hell of chore. Especially if it's going to be around the same time of year.

[OddBallXJ]

I have not started any preparations. Been working 10-14 hour days M-F and some Saturdays.

[jeep pox]

Maybe we should start by getting suggestions on a date and location. Then go from there. What all is needed/required to plan a event this big?

[AZXJ]

Maybe we should start by getting suggestions on a date and location. Then go from there. What all is needed/required to plan a event this big?


2011 BOD in place would be a good start.. Since they will ultimately be responsible for the planing of the event.

:cheers:

[cdhowell]

hahaha you guys.... I'm not sure how to interpret that Charlie... But, seriously though has anything been done? If not planning a good annual festival is going to be a hell of chore. Especially if it's going to be around the same time of year.


It's just with your concerns for the chapter you should hild a chair. To me, its early to start planning. Unless some one wants to take the ball and run with it.

[djrethoret]

why dont we just start a thread, gets some opinions and ideas flying around and make something happen. oviously members areinterested in making this chapter work again. it livened up quite a bit in the past 2 weeks. who has the power to do something like that? why should it be 100% on BOD to do something fun for the whole club, its a club right kind of like a team a bunch of people working TOGETHER right? lets just do it

[POSJ]

Yeah its a team, but the team can't schedule a game...the athletic director and president does that. I.e. the BOD. It will get done now that Kracker brought it to the front of discussion I'm sure.

[KRAKER]

I'll do whatever I can. I have the availability, time, and know how. If permitted I'll take the reigns again.

[KRAKER]

It is to early to start planning now. I was just wondering if BOD was gonna get the ball rolling. If not, may I step in?

[YEAGS]

Kraker if you need any help i was gonna put my name out to get her rolling as well.

[POSJ]

Kracker ill help too let me know if you need anything. Do you guys get sponsors and such for this? If you do I'll ask around the Tucson area.

[stewie]

I hope I am not speaking out of line here, but I know some other chapters have these things called "meetings" where details like chapter business and events can be discussed with the Members of the chapter and some even allow input from non-members (forum users). Who knows, if it works for them it may work for us...

[YEAGS]

thanks for volunteering stewie! I agree though we do need a meeting. not a meet n greet slash get drunk and have fun but something that will actually involve business

[POSJ]

So anymore thought into this? Can we brainstorm locations? Meetings?

[stewie]

The last couple years we have had it at different locations in the state. I would like to keep that going to see some of the different areas the state has to offer.

[POSJ]

What areas have been done recently? I don't know the Tucson area yet so I can't say if there is good enough wheeling around here for an event like this or not. I only hear good things about the range between Pheonix and Flagstaff.

[KRAKER]

Havasu? Lots of trails out there.

[stewie]

I like the ideas of Tucson and up in the pines- Flag, Prescott, Payson

[POSJ]

I think we should get a poll together and see where the majority wants to go.

[YEAGS]

Just some input. With the economy the way it is doing a trip to somewhere far might not be the best idea as far as attendance wise. I forsee many people skipping simply because its too far. Especially with the majority of members being located in phoenix tucson areas. So something close to home might be the best.

However if we do decide to go far, the cracks up in heber was awesome. About a square mile of just rocks to play on really close to camp easy to difficult obstacles.

[AZXJ]

I vote FJ.. :D

[KRAKER]

:wstupid:

[YEAGS]

Thats my vote too. I have yet to run anything up there

[RCP Phx]

However if we do decide to go far, the cracks up in heber was awesome. About a square mile of just rocks to play on really close to camp easy to difficult obstacles.

Its also on private land so you would have his blessing on the use of it!

[Mdub]

F-J

[cdhowell]

The trails need to be as diversified as the rigs running them. You will need a location to accomodate all levels of wheeling.

[YEAGS]

Its also on private land so you would have his blessing on the use of it!

The actual area of wheeling is not part of his land but the main camping spot is. Fortunately I know how to get in contact with him!

[A7XJ]

I vote FJ and I will attend this year.

[POSJ]

Once we nail down a date, I'll take leave and show-up whether or not my turd is wheelable. Hopefully somebody will have a seat or I'll buy a bicycle lol.

[djrethoret]

florence if always good i only got to make it for one day for the last rockfest and ran upper term myself cuz no one else was wheeling, i work saturdays and dont like to take days off cuz i like paychecks haha so someplace close like FJ gives me opportunity to attend after work if nothing else and be there for more than one day

[KRAKER]

The only problem I see is the whole BLM trip on not being able to collect money on their grounds. That will probably be the biggest hurdle in event planning.

[YEAGS]

David I think you have them mixed up we ran Table Mesa last year which is where Upper Terminator is located. I think they held it at FJ two years ago but I wasnt very involved back then

[POSJ]

What do you mean? Like the fee for entering the area?

[KRAKER]

BLM changes the rules on using their land yearly. That has been the biggest chore in planning events. As of last rockfest BLM mandated that no money is to be collected for any fees (unless permitted I beleive). So technically we can't sell raffle tickets to fund trail cleanups or raise money to donate to the different coalitions that help keep the trails open.

[POSJ]

I'm not sure what area this is in, what BLM district? Once we get a date nailed down I will contact the section and take it as high as needed to get a good answer on what we are and are not allowed to do. Or even if we can get a permit for a one time event.

[KRAKER]

Near Florence, AZ. I don't have the technical info handy right now. I'm sure Google is your friend :)

[POSJ]

So "FJ" as you guys call it lol, is near Florence aka in between Pheonix area and Tucson. Which happens to be in the Tucson district, and the district office is pretty close to my home. Guess I'll have to stop by there sometime next week and ask some questions.

[YEAGS]

Yep FJ = Florence Junction

[djrethoret]

yeah i know it was at table mesa last year. the way i wrote that was confusing

[Gasman]

From what I remember, the couple of campground areas big enough to accomodate Rockfest at FJ are on state trust land, not BLM. The one after the cattle guard on Cottonwood or far in on Price Rd. Permit is required and complete different set of permit rules. Personally, I prefer the Cottonwood location. Easier access and closer to the more common trails (woodpeckers, H2H, Ajax, etc). And I just hate having to slog back and forth though Box Canyon to get to stuff from the Price Rd campground. But Cottonwood sees more traffic.

Honestly, the biggest challenge is to get trail leaders. Not just someone who ran Elvis once 6 months ago. But people that know the trails, know the obsticles, what rigs can make it, where the "outs" are, how to deal with breakage, and how to keep a group moving. The run scheduling/organization this year was the best yet but getting qualified trail leaders to step up has been a challenge since the beginning, IMHO. I've led trails the last 3 years and probably willing to do so again next year (if I can attend and get in sufficient prerunning since I haven't run FJ for a while), but others will be needed.

[KRAKER]

The campground on the left after the cattle gaurd it is on BLM land. BLM land starts a few yards before the cattle gaurd. It was considered for the 09 RF but was decided against to to small size. There is another campground down the road to the right before the ranch house that is on BLM land. The location of the 09 RF was also on BLM land. We stayed away from STL due the permit restrictions. State Trust Lands wanted us to pony up for a permit (which wasn't a problem) and contact information for every single person attending (that was the problem). Legalities and keeping the club out of actionable postions is the highest priority.

Trail leaders are very important and will be one of the biggest problems with the currently forming incoming BOD. That is where members will be depended on. Hopefully there are some fellas who are willing to help where needed. I would feel comfortable leading easier trails that I don't have extensive knowledge of. On the other hand, someone who is leading the hard runs should have and extensive wheeling knowledge and experience of the trail. So most hazards that are accompanied by the harder trails will be handled properly.

Who knows maybe I'll get on and everyone will leave. Then BAM no problems at all :D

0.02

[Gasman]

Thanks for the clarification, I had BLM and STL backwards at the cattlegard. I remember now about having to give them names and you are right, that's really not easy to do. But either way, BLM and STL have some restrictions, etc. Just have to figure out which one works better for the event.

I won't leave, I might heckle though :D

[gimike812]

My Vote would be FJ aswell just becasue its almost equal distance for the phoenix guys and tucson guys.

[themud]

From what I remember, the couple of campground areas big enough to accomodate Rockfest at FJ are on state trust land, not BLM. The one after the cattle guard on Cottonwood or far in on Price Rd. Permit is required and complete different set of permit rules. Personally, I prefer the Cottonwood location. Easier access and closer to the more common trails (woodpeckers, H2H, Ajax, etc). And I just hate having to slog back and forth though Box Canyon to get to stuff from the Price Rd campground. But Cottonwood sees more traffic.

Honestly, the biggest challenge is to get trail leaders. Not just someone who ran Elvis once 6 months ago. But people that know the trails, know the obsticles, what rigs can make it, where the "outs" are, how to deal with breakage, and how to keep a group moving. The run scheduling/organization this year was the best yet but getting qualified trail leaders to step up has been a challenge since the beginning, IMHO. I've led trails the last 3 years and probably willing to do so again next year (if I can attend and get in sufficient prerunning since I haven't run FJ for a while), but others will be needed.


x2 on this for me....
That was one of the reasons for the switch to TM last year and other than massive carnage I thought it turned out pretty well..

[tobiwon]

If FJ is still an option , I'd be down . Can't do I-10 @ 55

[OddBallXJ]

IMO- Rockfest 2011 should be planned by the incoming BOD. Elections are less than a month away and the new BOD will be named at that time. I will assist the incoming BOD with the planning by delegating the authority to make decisions as necessary.

As for BLM v. STL
Cottonwood W of the cattleguard has the large camping area that can accomodate a large group. E of the cattleguard is BLM but is not large enough to accomodate the group. When picking a site, keep in mind that many members drive RV's to the event and must have a reasonable road to get in.

STL modified their rules last year from the previous year. As of last year a group less than 50 (I think) only required that the permit have contain the name of every member. They also had a 160 day application time. Brian and I were able to work with a specific person who said they would process our permit personally if we decided to go that route. They required name, address, phone of each attendee. We chose, instead, to use TM and BLM.

BLM- a group less than 75 was considered a recreational group and did not require a permit. BLM rules prohibit the collection of money on BLM land for the event or it becomes a commercial enterprise and a permit is required. My discussions with other clubs and individuals who have been involved with BLM on a regular basis did not believe BLM would issue the permit. BLM also has an early permit application deadline.

These issues are not insurmountable, especially if there is a small committee committed to the event.

Trail leaders who are committed to the event are invaluable. The trail leader is responsible for getting each rig through the trail and should be very knowledgable of the trail they are leading. In years past, having capable TL's was a challenge.
TL's have to be able to pre-run the trails at least 1 time just prior to the event to know any changes that have occurred on the trails. The rains this past year have changed the trails dramatically.

I will continue to assist the BOD as best I can at the conclusion of my term. Prior to that, I will assist the incoming BOD until they are officially in seat in Jan.

[tobiwon]

Where is Table Mesa , and what is the proposed date of this event ?

[OddBallXJ]

TM is off I-17 N of Phoenix, near Black Canyon City. The event is typically held in Mar/Apr time frame.

[tobiwon]

I want to go there :variety:

[KRAKER]

Thanks for stepping up John. I will hookup with you later.

[cdhowell]

The word commercial and collecting money bother me. Commercial implies a profit for personal gain. If some one has a copy of the non profit status of the club it may useful to the BLM and Permits may be granted. Also donations instead of a fee to participate could be another way around things. There will always be a buttnugget that wants a free ride. Those types are usually weeded out before long and wheeling by there self.
Don't have ideas yet on the raffle and these points may be futile, but worth checking out.

[KRAKER]

I do. If I get in, I will see how that apprach would be looked at by the BLM.

[Lifted93XJ]

I would attend at TM this year again, dont think i would go to FJ unless i found a truck and trailer to take me down. Too dang far away!