APR. 2020, Issue 3 Joe's Valley Festival Monthly Newsletter
Getting to Know the Community!
This time around we're highlighting the Keithley Family!
(Keithly family selfie at Hueco)
Jimmy Keithly and his wife Melissa Keithley have been going down to Joe’s since the mid to late 90s when they first saw a slide show that featured Stephen and Jeff Baldwin. It spotlighted the New Joe’s area that was just being developed at the time.
Fast forward years later and they’re taking their children climbing there. In the coming years, the popularity of the area has become a concern. Their kids have been climbing there long enough to see the changes and growth. This is a huge reason the family got involved with the SLCA and helped with the Adopt a Crag days at Joe's. This has made a positive impact on how their children, Noah and Zoe, connected to the area. They feel more ownership towards Joe’s and developed a desire to help take care of it or protect it.
(Jimmy closing the day out at the JVF clean up initiative in 2019)
Leading up to the festival, Jimmy was able to sit down with local community members, the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Access Fund and Steven and Adriana. Everyone knew Joes Valley was special but weren’t sure if the festival would be a success. When it kicked off the Keithley family was there for the first annual Joes Fest and have been to everyone since. It’s been so cool to see it grow so quickly from such a small group of friends. As a family, they love the community and always head up the advocacy day on Sunday. This isn’t just cleaning up the climber’s camps or trails and landing pads at the climbing areas - it also involves helping the local town with some light chores.
Joe’s Valley remains one of the family’s favorite destinations. The towns of Castle Dale and Orangeville have developed into more than just a pit stop on the way to the crag. There are kind hospitable people that make up the community who depend on recreational tourism for their livelihood. The Keithley’s are so glad to have the festival every year so they can reconnect with all of the kind folks who call Joe’s home!
Fun Keithley Family Facts!!
Favorite crag snack? J - Trader Joe’s Mango habanero dried fruit; N - Justin’s Peanut Butter and Apple; M - Cheese; Z- Dried Fruit
If you could be any animal, which would you be? J - Golden Eagles nest nearby and they have great eyesight. That would be perfect for spotting new boulders.; M- Mountain Lion, they take great cat naps in the sun; N - Catnapping is great; Z- Mountain Lion - Solitude in the Mountains
Cake of Pie? J - Pie (rhubarb if your asking); M - Neither, Salt please; N- Pie; Z-Cake
If you could climb anywhere in the world where would you go? Fontainebleau is our family favorite!
You’d never be caught climbing without?Self-care: thera-band, thera-cane, nail clippers, arm aide, Ibuprofen, tape, super glue, first aid kit, etc. (bouldering over 40 isn’t easy); M - A good spotter or belayer; Z - A brush; N- my Scarpas
What do you like to do on a rainy day?Read a book in our Dolphin (Joe's guide book preferably Steven hint hint) Poker is good too.
You’re happiest when? J -When my family is happy!; M - When we are in the dolphin going to sleep and everyone is tired from a good long day in the desert; N - when the sound of rain puts me to sleep; Z - A good BM
What does rock climbing mean to you? J -An amazing lens to view the world; M - An escape/outlet and opportunity to reset and work on relationships that matter; N - Being outside and having fun and getting the greatest view; Z- mental health, stability, balance, happiness, escape
