Trip Reports from SCMA Members

SCMA Image Committee Meets
by SCMA Member "Red Nuckles"

The first meeting of the SCMA Image Committee was held recently at the home of the chairman, Red Nuckles. Members pointed out the need to build and maintain a distinct club image, as had been done so effectively by the late, great RCS.

To this end, a resolution was passed to recommend to the general membership the establishment of the position of Interorganization Coordinator, so situations such as the recent near miss with the San Diego Chapter of Hell's Angels might be avoided. It was pointed out that the schedules of other Hell's Angels chapters in Southern California are virtually unknown, which could lead to unforeseen encounters at campgrounds in which SCMA members would graciously curtail their climbing weekends out of consideration for the needs of larger organizations.

This led to a general discussion of past contacts with other recreational groups. One committee member told of a sleepless night spent after overhearing ghost stories told by a Brownie troop at an adjacent campsite. It was agreed that such unfortunate incidents, while unavoidable, might generally be compensated for by getting to bed earlier at camp.

The committee then voted a 7:30 p.m. curfew on all SCMA outings, with an extra 10 minutes allowed to the leaders to tuck everyone in. Leaders must do this in groups of two, within flashlight distance of each other, and if both leaders are not present at bedtime, the trip will be canceled. Associate members, students, and guests will not be allowed to go to the bathroom after curfew, or to get a drink of water, unless accompanied by a regular member, after tying in.

The committee also voted to organize a bake sale for the purchase of 1,000-meter topropes for use on SCMA climbs. It was further voted that run-outs of more than seven feet will not be allowed on any climb with a difficulty rating above 3.7c. Members are urged to place extra bolts on such routes until the new topropes arrive.

Finally, the need for a new club scrapbook was brought up. The name of the keeper of the RCS scrapbook has been missed on the SCMA roster. No doubt he was deterred from coming over because of the wilder-and-crazier nature of SCMA culture. Members are asked to provide photographs of such activities as partying in three-piece business suits, serving juice and fig bars at Saturday night campfire (photographs taken after 7 :30, even if they were taken before the new curfew regulation went into effect, will not be allowed), yielding right-of-way to mountain bicyclists, and doing leg-assisted chin-ups; anything to attract the "right" kind of climber to our ranks.

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