Last friday, CMRCA hosted the Reel Rock Film Tour for the third year in a row. We had a full house (over 120 people) and an action packed movie event featuring 4 climbing/mountaineering stories. The prize raffle was a big success and congratulations to all who went home with something new — especially those who won the Evolv shoes, Sterling Rope, Petzl gear, and Craft Brews from Beervana. A big thank you to all of those who participated!
CMRCA values family and community and nothing makes us happier than to host events that bring people together to have a good time, live adventure, and act sustainably. For us, climbing is a way to inspire people to care more about the planet, be active and healthy, and interact cross-culturally here in Chiang Mai and around the world. It was exciting that this year’s Reel Rock included two films set in Asia, one of which in Southeast Asia. Adventure travel is certainly growing at a rapid pace, and as the last film (about Ueli Steck on Everest) showed us, it is more important than ever to be aware of how our actions, behavior, and cultural considerations while traveling effect both the local community and environment.
If you didn’t notice at the event, we strictly follow a no plastic philosophy at our store and gym and try not to have single-use plates and utensils around. A challenge arose out of finding a way to give away free Sai Ooa and Roti, and our event coordinator Pi Tune found the perfect solution in the form of sustainable banana leaf bowls. CMRCA staff members carry reusable boxes and water containers at all times, so even when we can’t resist the urge for some moo bing (grilled pork sticks) and a fruit shake at the local market, we can certainly steer clear of using plastic bags.
On sunday evening, after a solid day of climbing, many members and visitors of the climbing community ventured out to a local temple down the road from Crazy Horse to participate in a Yi Peng ceremony, light some lanterns, and shoot off some more fireworks (because Mae Jo wasn’t enough already…). Although feeling a little awkward and self-conscious of our far from tidy appearances following a day of cragging, we did get the opportunity to spark up a few conversations with the locals from town. They were excited that we all took the time to participate in their event and bring in the Loy Krathong weekend Mae On style. It meant a lot to hear that and to also share our gratitude for hosting us.
For all those at Reel Rock and Yi Peng in Mae On, we hope you had an awesome time and join us again in the future. For those who didn’t/couldn’t make it, we hope to see you around CMRCA or at an upcoming community event:
The C3 Community Crank Bouldering Competition – 30 November
The 10th Annual Crag Clean-Up Day @ Crazy Horse – 21 December
You can sign up online @ http://cmrca.eventbrite.com/
Until then….CLIMB ON!
