Skytop (photo by Julie O’Connor)
Rock and Snow, the well known climbing and hiking supply store in downtown New Paltz, hosts an annual series of slideshows and talks that are geared both to dedicated climbers and to members of the general public who would rather observe the daring feats of climbers than attempt such moves themselves. Some of the presentations are for nature-lovers of all stripes, and the focus is both our beautiful local woodlands and spectacular spots around the world.
The popular series kicks off on September 29 at 8 p.m. with an overview of the Shawangunks, a world-famous climbing destination and popular place to hike, by Ed Henry, who is the author of Gunks Trails and Catskill Trails. Henry is an expert on the geology, geography and ecology of the Ridge – one of only two ridgetops in the world where dwarf pitch pines grow – and he’ll also share his knowledge of the Catskills.
Rock and Snow is hosting a screening of The Reel Rock Tour at the Lecture Center at SUNY-New Paltz on October 6 at 7:30 p.m. The film, which is part of the New Paltz Climbing Film Festival, features “world-class, cutting-edge climbing footage from all over the world,” according to store manager Andrew Zalewski.
The morning of October 6, Rock and Snow will host a “Rock Shoe Demo” at which you can try on different brands of climbing footgear. That’ll be followed from 7 to 9 p.m. on October 7 with a swap meet: “the best way to dispose of old hexes,” said Zalewski. On October 12, Christopher Spatz will present a lecture on cougars, followed on October 13 by a slideshow by local climbing guide Angelo Urrico, who will talk about climbing and mountaineering in Wyoming’s Tetons.
On October 20, Timothy O’Neill, a professional climber and co-founder of Paradox Sports, which organizes climbing and other outdoor-sports-related expeditions for people with disabilities, will amuse and move the audience with his standup routine and commitment to Paradox Sports. O’Neill’s dedication to making the world of the outdoors accessible to everyone was partly sparked by his climb of El Capitán, the 3,000-foot dome in Yosemite National Park, with his brother, a paraplegic. O’Neill founded Paradox Sports with D. J. Skelton, an Army captain who was injured in Iraq; many of their clients are wounded veterans.
The next month, on November 3, Russell and Barbara Dunn will present stunning slides of waterfalls in the Northeast – including the Catskills, of course, and western Massachusetts. The couple have authored several books published by Black Dome Press. Admission to all of the slideshows and in-store climbing gear-related events is free. There is an admission fee for the New Paltz Climbing Film Festival.
For a complete listing of Rock and Snow’s slideshows and in-store events, visit www.rockandsnow.com or call (845) 255-1311. Rock and Snow is located at 44 Main Street in New Paltz.
