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This is a list of all the latest news and happenings at all six Touchstone Facilities. This blog also contains general information about Rock Climbing, Cycling and other items that Touchstone members may find interesting. Friday, May 29, 2009Chris Sharma Bouldering Video: Pure Talent
It's Friday and it's Summertime so we won't keep you here long. To get you inspired to get into your local Touchstone Climbing gym and do the best climbing and bouldering you can possibly do, we thought we'd turn to an expert to help get you motivated: Chris Sharma.
Few people climb with the creativity and fluidity as Chris Sharma, and to watch him attack a bouldering problem is inspiring. Check out the way he twists and contorts his body just to make his next move easier. That's the key, he's always thinking moves ahead. Check out the video and have a great weekend. Start sending in climbing clips of your own! Labels: Climbing Clip of the Week, Climbing Video, Videos Friday, May 22, 2009Climbing Clip of the Week: Chris Sharma Interview
When it comes to climbing videos, especially the ones we choose to feature as Climbing Clip of the Week, they most often have been videos of actual climbing. Today, we've got something a bit different and instead of showing all climbing, we actually have an interview with one of the most talented and inspirational climbers around, Chris Sharma.
The vast majority of you already know who Chris Sharma is, but for all of you that don't know, he's a climber that was born in Santa Cruz, California back in 1981. In addition to to notching numerous first ascents in his impressive resume, he's also climbed and tackled some of the most difficult routes and climbs in the world. At any rate, listening to him talk is great insight into climbing and I think could help any climber. Thanks to ClimbingNarc.com for the tip, check it out: Labels: Chris Sharma, Climbing Clip of the Week, Climbing Video, Interviews Friday, May 1, 2009Climbing Clip of the Week: Breathtaking in Borneo
Today's Climbing Clip of the Week comes via ClimbingNarc.com and really does show how far technology is coming in the world of climbing. No longer do you have to wait months and years after a climbing trip has been made to see footage of the expedition, now, you can see it literally hours after the climb has been made.
So, for this week's Climbing Clip of the Week, we're going to check out some absolutely breathtaking climbing that took place in Borneo. Climbers Mark Synnott, Conrad Anker, Kevin Thaw, Jimmy Chin, Alex Honnold and Renan Ozturk went to Borneo to tackle some big walls and sent home videos of their trip. This is part 2 of the series, so feel free to head over and check out the rest here. Nevertheless, enjoy the video, and enjoy your weekend. Start submitting some climbing videos of your own, we want to feature our very own climbers! Borneo Dispatch Video #6 "As Free As Can Be" from renan ozturk on Vimeo. Labels: Big Wall, Borneo, Climbing Clip of the Week, Climbing Video Friday, April 17, 2009Climbing Clip of the Week: Joshua Tree Climbing
Ever since the very first time I heard U2's album "The Joshua Tree" I have wanted to visit the National Park and just explore. After seeing this video that will serve as our Climbing Clip of the Week, I can not wait to go. The climbing there looks spectacular and watching this video makes me extremely angry I've yet to climb there.
In this video, the climber in question is taking on "Hobbit Roof" in Joshua Tree National Park and I can't even imagine how his hands are feeling after this climb. Impressive to take in and it makes me want to ask any of YOU if you've had the opportunity to climb at Joshua Tree? So, sound off, where's the best place you've ever climbed? Any places you'd call your favorite? Hardest place you have ever climbed? Remember, we're always looking for videos of our members taking on some climbing, so if you have any, do not hesitate to send them in. For now, enjoy this climbing clip of the week, and enjoy your weekend. Labels: Climbing Clip of the Week, Climbing Video, Joshua Tree, National Park Friday, April 10, 2009Climbing Clip of the Week: Homemade Climbing Wall
Yesterday, we mentioned that if you have a room or garage in your home that isn't getting much use, maybe a good idea would be to spend some bucks and convert it to a homemade, DIY indoor climbing or bouldering wall that can help you practice anytime you're outside of the gym. Today, I just so happened to find a video of a guy that did exactly that and with great results.
Granted you might not have as much space as the guy in this video, it does show what's possible with a few pieces of plywood and some great holds. Watch his wall, watch him climb on it, and get inspired to make something like it for your Own home. Have a great weekend, see you back here bright and early Monday morning! Labels: Bouldering, climbing, Climbing Clip of the Week, DIY Ideas, Home Friday, March 20, 2009Climbing Clip of the Week: Slackline Fun @ Pipeworks
This week, instead of posting a climbing clip to cap off the week, I decided to post something a little different, but equally impressive as a lot of the climbing clips we've posted up to this point. It's called Slacklining, and while most of you probably know what it is, for those that don't, it is essentially a balance sport that involves walking, balancing and interacting with a climbing rope that has been anchored between two points.
At any rate, I just found this awesome clip of a guy doing slackline tricks and balancing at our very own Sacramento Pipeworks. Check it out, and the next time you're in one of our gyms, why not try a little yourself? It's a great way to work on your balance and build lower body and core strength. Impressive. Enjoy your weekend, and we'll see you bright and early Monday morning. Labels: Climbing Clip of the Week, Climbing Video, Sacramento Pipeworks, Slacklining Friday, March 13, 2009Cardio Clips of the Week: Boxing With Victor Damian
This week for our Climbing Clip of the Week we decided to instead, show off some clips of one of our popular classes, Cardio Boxing with Victor Damian. If you're looking for a ridiculously workout, a fun time, and something completely different than your average run on the treadmill, this class is most likely exactly right for you.
Here's what Victor had to say when asked to describe his own class: Cardio Boxing with Victor Just a reminder, the Cardio Boxing class is Tuesday & Thursday from 6:30 - 7:30 pm and Friday from 7:45 to 8:45 pm. You can sign up at the front desk at Berkeley Ironworks. For now, check out some of the video footage of our members sweating it out to Cardio Boxing. Cardio Boxing with Victor Damian from Berkeley Ironworks on Vimeo. Cardio Boxing with Victor Damian, part 2 from Berkeley Ironworks on Vimeo. Cardio Boxing with Victor Damian, part 3 from Berkeley Ironworks on Vimeo. Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, Cardio, Cardio Boxing, Climbing Clip of the Week, Victor Damian, Videos Friday, March 6, 2009Climbing Clip of the Week: Ethan Pringle
In honor of the upcoming "Advanced Lead Clinic" taught by the extremely talented Ethan Pringle this Sunday, we decided that this week, our "Climbing Clip of the Week" should be of the man himself.
So, for this weeks Climbing Clip, check out this gem we stumbled across on YouTube. It's Ethan Pringle on the second ascent of a 35 foot Kevin Jorgeson climb in Bishop, CA. It's amazing to see the technique and finesse. At any rate, check it out, then if you're signed up for his Advanced Lead Clinic, we'll see you at Mission Cliffs on Sunday from 7:30 - 9:30pm. Labels: climbing, Climbing Clip of the Week, Climbing Video, Ethan Pringle Friday, February 6, 2009Climbing Clip of the Week: Claymation Fontainbleau
This weeks Climbing Clip of the Week one of the staff at Great Western Power Co. Desk staff Joe Horton and his girlfriend put together this claymation stop-motion video for a friend who is heading to Fontainbleau, France this spring to do some bouldering. Hopefully we get plenty of video from that trip as well.
In the meantime, enjoy this unique departure from our regular climbing clips, and then have an amazing weekend. Get out and do some climbing...don't forget to record it! Labels: Climbing Clip of the Week, Climbing Video, Great Western Power Co., GWPC, Video clip Friday, January 23, 2009Climbing Clip of the Week: Hans & Yuji Speed Record
Something special this week for our Climbing Clip of the Week...how about getting to check out Part 1 of Hans Florine and Yuji Hirayama's unbelievable, record breaking, brand new Speed Record on El Capitan.
The video is, to say the least, awe inspiring and I'm sure everyone who watches it will feel like they need to practice a whole heck of a lot more than they already are. Nevertheless, for a great way to end Friday, I think it'll do. So, without further ado, check out the awesome video below of Hans and Yuji's record-shattering assault of The Nose. We'll see you Monday, in the meantime, we need to get more clips of our very own climbers doing what they do best. If you have any, or even just links of yourselves on YouTube, send them in...we'd love to feature you!  Labels: Climbing Clip of the Week, Climbing Movie, Climbing Video, Hans Florine, Yuji Hirayama Friday, January 9, 2009Climbing Clip of the Week: Indoor Climbing Tips
For this Friday's "Climbing Clip of the Week" I thought it may be helpful for any and all of you out there that have never been rock climbing, or are just now starting out, to show you a few videos that kind of give you the basics behind indoor rock climbing, and what you can expect to encounter when you find yourself sitting in one of our amazing Touchstone Climbing gym facilities.
For the first clip, I found a pretty awesome, pretty short and extremely helpful little video that starts with the basics...the Holds you'll find on an Indoor Climbing Wall. This video helps by showing you a few of the various types of holds that you'll find scattered across most climbing gym walls. By knowing what each of them are, it could help you to understand how best to hold them, and help you discover which types of holds you are best at, and which you need the most work on. Check out this helpful little video and then the next time you go into Touchstone Climbing, look up at the wall, get acquainted, and start climbing your way to the top! Have an amazing weekend, and we'll see you bright and early Monday Morning!  Labels: Climbing Clip of the Week, Indoor climbing, Rock climbing, Touchstone Climbing Friday, January 2, 2009Climbing Clip of the Week: Nose in A Day
Hello and Happy Friday! Here's hoping that your New Year's Day was amazing and that 2009 is already treating you kind! I don't know about you, but personally, I'm ready for a weekend, all of the Holiday action has worn me out and I'm looking forward to a weekend filled with doing as little as humanly possible. That said, I figured a perfect way to kick off that sort of weekend, is by watching someone Else strain themselves to the limit.
For your viewing pleasure this fine Friday, I found a great Climbing Clip of the Week that you might just find interesting. How about "Nose in a Day" in Yosemite? Yeah, thought you might perk up at that. There is some great climbing in this video, and what's more, it just makes you want to do it too, despite how Holiday Exhausted you might be. That said, we'll be back, energetic and filled with even more great information on Monday. Spend this weekend doing whatever you need to do to recover and recuperate from what was most likely a tiring Holiday week! Enjoy the Climbing Clip of the Week and we'll see you Monday!  Labels: Climbing Clip of the Week, Climbing Movie, The Nose, Yosemite National Park Friday, December 19, 2008Climbing Clip of the Week: Ice Climbing The Ghost Wilderness
This week, I decided to do something a little different for the Climbing Clip of the Week. The first reason I chose this, was because of the Winter weather blast that has been blanketing the entire West Coast; the second reason, is because it IS Winter, and the scenery in this ice-climbing clip is breathtakingly gorgeous.
If you've ever ice-climbed you can account for just how tricky, how exciting and how rewarding it is. It feels totally different than traditional climbing and uses an entirely different skill set than traditional climbing, but anyone that loves one, almost always loves the other. So, without further ado, enjoy this week's Climbing Clip of the Week. Stay warm, stay dry, get all your shopping done this weekend and most of all, have an amazing weekend filled with climbing, fitness and friends!  Labels: climb, Climbing Clip of the Week, Ice climbing, Rock climbing Friday, December 12, 2008Climbing Clip of the Week: Berkeley Ironworks!
While prowling around the ol' WWW, I just so happened to find something extremely cool and extremely relevant for this weeks Climbing Clip of the Week! That's right, I found a video on YouTube that is none other than our very own Berkeley Ironworks!
The video shows a whole lot of climbing all over the gym, shows some of the routes you can take, and just generally makes me happy seeing ol' Berkeley Ironworks! Check out the awesome climbing at the awesome gym, then head over there yourself if you're in the area! We'd love to have you!  Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, climbing, Climbing Clip of the Week, YouTube Friday, December 5, 2008Climbing Clip of the Week: Manaslu Expedition
Just this Monday I mentioned how one of our very own members, Tom McMillan recently returned from an epic climb of Manaslu in Nepal. The pictures really got me excited, really got me jealous and really made me want to see more of not only Nepal, but of Manaslu itself.
My jealousy and excitement leads to this week's Climbing Clip of the Week! Not only do we get to see more of Manaslu, we get to see an entire expedition, from start to finish in 6 full parts. I'm only posting part 1 here, but if you are interested and want to check out the whole saga, feel free! This is also a call to arms, as it were, for all you readers of this fine blog. We want to feature more of YOU on our Climbing Clip of the Week! Let's use it as a forum to show off, to brag, to learn, and to highlight just how awesome Touchstone Climbers are! If you have videos, slideshows, or anything else of you and yours getting out there and climbing, send them in! Send us links, emails, or whatever you need to do to get featured on here!  Labels: climbing, Climbing Clip of the Week, Manaslu, Tom McMillan, touchstone Friday, November 28, 2008Climbing Clip of the Week: One of Our Own!!
Hello and here's hoping that your belly is stuffed full with all of yesterday's goodies. Hopefully you had an amazing Thanksgiving, and that you don't have to go ANYWHERE to work this fine "Black Friday!" For your viewing pleasure and so you don't have to strain yourself with any reading in the haze of all that turkey, we have an awesome, and somewhat "personal" Climbing Clip of the Week this Friday!
That's right, this week we have a former Mission Cliffs climber, Kevin St. Laurent, doing a first ascent of a V2 Boulder problem in Tintamarre Point. This little video was shot while he was sailing the Caribbean last year. Wow, could we be any more jealous right now?! Without further ado, enjoy this beauty:  Labels: Black Friday, Caribbean, Climbing Clip of the Week, Climbing Movie, Kevin St. Laurent, mission cliffs, Thanksgiving Friday, November 21, 2008Climbing Clip of the Week: Ethan Pringle
Here is a video of Touchstone Climbing sponsored climber, Ethan Pringle working a project in Clark Mountain, California late last year. Chris Sharma ended up sending this project in September and named the route Jumbo Love and rated it 5.15b!!
Enjoy and see everyone on Monday. Monastary Project from Ethan Pringle on Vimeo. Labels: Clark Mountain, Climbing Clip of the Week, Climbing Video, Ethan Pringle, Jumbo Love Friday, November 14, 2008Climbing Clip of the Week
Hello and Happy Friday! We made it, it's the weekend again and man have we earned it. To help you celebrate the end of another work week, I decided this week's Climbing Clip of the Week is somewhere I think each and every one of us wishes we could run away to...right now.
The clip is of some AMAZING "Deep Water Soloing" in Thailand. I don't know if it's the color of the water, the beautiful rock cliffs, or the quality of the climbing, but this is rapidly becoming one of my more favorite climbing clips. I want to be in Thailand, now. This is also a call to arms...if you have any climbing videos or clips you want featured, please, please send them in, send us links, send is YouTube videos, whatever. We'd love nothing more than to feature YOU, our faithful climbers, on this very site. At any rate, enjoy the video and we'll see you bright and early Monday morning! Get climbing!  Labels: climbing, Climbing Clip of the Week, Climbing Video, Deep-water soloing, Recreation, Rock climbing, Video clip Powered by: |
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