July's banner pic is from @SMKYTXN 's trip out to Rock Therapy 2016. He had a lot of really nice pictures but this one really stuck out to me. Side note - Trail Toys is running an Independence Day sale so if you have not checked that out now is the time to do so.
His words about the trip:
Rock Therapy is definitely an event you don’t want to miss. It’s a laid back event that is primarily focused on getting you onto the numerous trails that are found in and around Moab. The one amazing thing about the event, is that it’s FREE. There is no entry fee whatsoever. Revenue for the event is gained from raffle ticket sales. This year the organizers split the proceeds for the event between Area BFE and I believe Colorado’s Stay the Trail organization.
The event is based at Area BFE, which has its set of trails ranging from mild to don’t even think about it. Attendees are asked to donate to Area BFE while they’re there. Again, there isn’t a fee for camping at the park. Revenue for the park comes only from donations and swag sales.
The event has a heavy vendor support, which is what allows the event to happen. I won’t list all of the vendors here, but you’ll see a lot of big names.
I showed up to Area BFE the Sunday before the event started. I was going to have to take the week off anyway, so why not show up early. I wheeled with the Pelfrey family and friends the first couple of days, hitting Fins n things, Hells Revenge, and touring Arches National Park. That’s one of the beauties of the event. There are people there well in advance to hang out with and the amount of activities and things to see are too numerous to list.
The main event kicked off Thursday morning, though the camp was already filling up with people coming in early. There were organized trail runs every morning with a register at the main event tent provided the day before. Trails out in Moab are different from what I’ve been wheeling, that’s for sure. You set out to run one trail, and it takes the majority of the day. That’s especially true when you have ten rigs running a technical trail that’s 6 to 10 miles long. So be sure you take lunch with you and whatever provisions you’ll need for the day.
The event concludes with a healthy raffle and dinner on Saturday night, followed by a bonfire of course. I didn’t win anything, but was happy to give back to the park and organization the raffle funds were going too.
All in all Rock Therapy is a great event with a great group of people. Put it on your list and enjoy Moab with a group of folks that know the area. I can’t wait till next year.
His words about the trip:
Rock Therapy is definitely an event you don’t want to miss. It’s a laid back event that is primarily focused on getting you onto the numerous trails that are found in and around Moab. The one amazing thing about the event, is that it’s FREE. There is no entry fee whatsoever. Revenue for the event is gained from raffle ticket sales. This year the organizers split the proceeds for the event between Area BFE and I believe Colorado’s Stay the Trail organization.
The event is based at Area BFE, which has its set of trails ranging from mild to don’t even think about it. Attendees are asked to donate to Area BFE while they’re there. Again, there isn’t a fee for camping at the park. Revenue for the park comes only from donations and swag sales.
The event has a heavy vendor support, which is what allows the event to happen. I won’t list all of the vendors here, but you’ll see a lot of big names.
I showed up to Area BFE the Sunday before the event started. I was going to have to take the week off anyway, so why not show up early. I wheeled with the Pelfrey family and friends the first couple of days, hitting Fins n things, Hells Revenge, and touring Arches National Park. That’s one of the beauties of the event. There are people there well in advance to hang out with and the amount of activities and things to see are too numerous to list.
The main event kicked off Thursday morning, though the camp was already filling up with people coming in early. There were organized trail runs every morning with a register at the main event tent provided the day before. Trails out in Moab are different from what I’ve been wheeling, that’s for sure. You set out to run one trail, and it takes the majority of the day. That’s especially true when you have ten rigs running a technical trail that’s 6 to 10 miles long. So be sure you take lunch with you and whatever provisions you’ll need for the day.
The event concludes with a healthy raffle and dinner on Saturday night, followed by a bonfire of course. I didn’t win anything, but was happy to give back to the park and organization the raffle funds were going too.
All in all Rock Therapy is a great event with a great group of people. Put it on your list and enjoy Moab with a group of folks that know the area. I can’t wait till next year.