Brent Maxfield on "The Swan" v6

The Third Annual “Moe’s Valley Maintenance” was a huge success! We have stepped up to help mitigate the impact from increased traffic. The desert habitat is more fragile than most realize, and groups of climbers and hikers wandering through open areas of cryptobiotic soil have done damage that will take years to reverse. To allow the crypto to re-vegetate, we have been consolidating the messy network of paths into more concise trail systems, and encourage everyone to use the trails when possible to reduce further damage.

In the afternoon we also held the annual Moe’s Valley Bouldering Competition, Brent Maxfield was the Overall winner this year, Sheralee Webb who got 1st Place in Womens, and congrats to Cassandra Mackert for sending her longtime  project(s) during the comp and scoring 2nd place! Great job to all the other competitors as well, its always such a positive crowd with everyone cheering and helping each other succeed. Thanks to Organic Bouldering, The Desert Rat, and The Access Fund for sponsoring the Competition!

It was also the inaugural “Moe’s – Zen 10k Trail Run” which was devised and orchestrated by Chad Perkins. The course begins in Moe’s Valley, running North until the runners reach the Third Ravine, a single-track canyon with some technical through small boulders. At the western edge of the Third Ravine, the course goes uphill to the narrowest part of the Zen Mesa and winds through an amazing assortment of boulders with 360 degree views. This area is also home to the many new boulder problems in this strange array of caverns and canyons. A video of the new first ascents being put up by Isaac Caldiero, Emmanuel Hudon, myself, and others, is in the works right now look for it soon! From here the runners run along the edge of Zen Wall, and drop into Upper Jones Valley above Moe’s. A semi-technical descent onto a narrow ridgeline is the climax of the trail, and the runners quickly descend into the southern end of Moe’s, running through boulders along the trail until eventually reaching the Finish at the Sentinel Boulder. Food at the Finishing Line was provided by RealFoods Market and The Bean Scene. Thanks alot to Ultraspire for helping with the event and sponsoring some prizes!

We also raised over $230 during the event to help jump-start Southern Utah Climbers Association, or SUCA. This is an organization which has sprung from the unique relationship which we are fostering with the BLM to help open some new climbing areas, as well as maintain access in existing areas, such as Moe’s Valley and Sunset Alley. Thanks alot to Misty Murphy for taking the initiative and starting SUCA! More information about SUCA coming soon.

Also Thanks to Alex Santiago from Clik Elite for shooting photos during the event! And Thanks again to all the Volunteers who made this event possible!