The Coalition of American Canyoneers participated in a canyoneering weekend event held in Los Angeles, California on March 29 – 31, 2019.  This community organized weekend brought Canyoneers together from the local community with others from as far away as Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, and even New Jersey. Over 120 people in all descended canyons, joined in a potluck, and participated in a raffle to raise money for the CAC.  Ultimately over $1500 was raised with donations from Bluewater, Digs by Dan, Imlay Canyon Gear, Lisa Hewitt, and On Rope.  The raffle was hosted by the marvelous Kevin Heiden and was fun for all, win or lose. Jayson Mathews generously donated Biolite Kettlecharge 10 Watt Generators to the CAC for every participant in the round-up.

The feedback from participants was generous. Ryan Payne might have said it best: 
“Although there are no shortages of thank you’s and expressions of gratitude for a fantastic weekend of canyoneering and camaraderie, I want to add my own because I failed to thank our organizers in person for their private heroism in putting together our weekend of fun.
Thank you to Danielle Monroy for gathering all the goodies to give away to us – we’re all winners for having you as part of our broader family.
Thank you to Sonny Lawrence for your eminent leadership and oratorical command of an unruly crowd. You’ve done more than you could possibly remember to say for our community, often behind the scenes – thanks for your ACES! Join the CAC!
Thank you to Freddy Unger, you are my spirit mammal.
Thank you to Chase Mueller for your spreadsheet prowess. You simplified all of our lives into discrete cells. No clue how you did that, but glad that you do.
And thank you to everyone who puts up with me and my campsite antics that may or may not have included bad singing and worse dancing. Being silly is what I needed this weekend and it gave me the opportunity to meet so many of you and deepen my respect for this dedicated community of riparian adventurers.
And boy can you guys cook! Thanks for the food! Death by charcuterie, please!”

Thank you everyone for participating in the event and the raffle! The CAC is very grateful for your support.

Article by Danielle Monroy.

Photo credits:

1. Eaton Canyon. Photo: Chris Johnson. On rappel: David Bunzell

2. Bighorn sheep seen on the trail to Monkeyface Falls. Photo: Willie Hunt

3. Eaton Canyon. Photo: Sandy Crow. On rappel: Tom Seeley

4. Monkeyface Falls. Photo: Shane Hess

5. Great Falls of the Fox. Photo: Morgan Diefenbach. On rappel: Stu Owens

6. Bonita Falls. Photo: Dominik Nadolski

7. People filtering in to the main campsite for potluck dinner after the canyon on Saturday. Photo: Nayef Khreisat