Reno/Tahoe - River Rock - Intentional Rock Fall!!

Was climbing at River Rock near Reno last night. For those not familiar with the crag, its just to the east of the Farad exit off of Hwy 80, mid way between Truckee and Reno.

My girlfriend and I were climbing on UNR Crack. A couple of guys walked by on the main trail, but did not come up to the crag or acknowledge our precence. Ropes set up on climbs are extremely visable from the main trail. We had just finished climbing and were packing up the rope when we heard someone yelling. Could not make out what they were saying. Five seconds later we heard another yell which was followed by the sound of several 3 foot diameter boulders crashing to ground about 40 feet away from us. The boulders landed at the base of "On Safari" which is a very popular 5.7 beginners route. Very fortunate nobody was climbing there at the time, could have been fatal.

We grabbed our gear and high tailed it out there to get away from the base of the cliff. About 100' above us at the very top were the 2 guys we had seen. They were setting up a rap station to rap off. Got into a yelling match with one of them. He said he was doing us a favor by clearing lose rock, he had apparently given us ample warning by yelling rock, threatened to come down and fight me, said that what he was doing is what rock climbing is about, told me not to mess with his car because he had seen mine and knew what i drove, and continued to swear at me.

We left shortly after. His car was parked by the walk bridge, so he has a key the gate apparently. Green Chevy Blazer. Nevada Plate #483 UJU. Called and waited for the cops. Nothing they could do, could not get through the gate.

If you know these guys, let em know that climbing is inherently dangerous on its own. The community does not need some yahoos risking our lives because they are on some testosterone/ego trip. We do not need new routes or rock clearing at River Rock!! If you want to be an idiot, be my guest, but don't put my life in danger again!

I have pictures of the car and if anybody has information on what these guys are up to please let me know.

Im glad your O.K. Iwas just out at Red Rocks and there was a Man with his 8-10 year old Daughter. He was teaching her how to throw rocks off the edge. It was bullshit, I yelled across but he didnt care. They went on to throw more rocks before heading up to the parking lot.My friends and their 4 kids were about 50 yards from where the rocks were landing, I was scared yet ready to kill. Hopefully his daughter will not grow up to be the asshole her father is.

Sounds like you met up with worse people. Climbers with this attitude suck. The reason to clean routes of dangers is to prevent accidents not cause them. It reminds of the horrible incident this year that took a mans life. Some nice fellow throwing rocks from a lookout kills climber.

Yea, the really crappy part is that where they were is not even a route. Absolutely no reason to be there, or throwing rock. I think they might have been trying to put up a new route, apparently top down on a crack. Pretty lame