Touchstone is excited to announce that we have a new way for you to find partners to climb with. We have linked up with Climbfind.com This is a cool new service that let's you sign up online, create a personal profile and find partners of similar skill level & climbing style. You can use this to not only find partners for in the gym but also for outdoor climbing areas as well. This is a great new service so be sure to check it out.

Link to your gym directly below, or find it on our website menu under each gym.

Mission Cliffs
Berkeley Ironworks
G.W.P.C.
Diablo Rock Gym
Sacramento Pipeworks

Labels: climbfind, climbing, Partners, Touchstone Web Site

Tis the season for some impressive summer storms, and we all know that alongside massive thunder, those summer storms can bring about some extremely impressive, and extremely deadly lightning strikes. As climbers, anytime we climb outdoors in a storm, we are in jeopardy. The good news is there are things we can do to reduce our risk of getting struck.

As always, check out the full article for some more in-depth analysis and reasoning, but now for brevity's sake, here are the top 8 tips for avoiding that summer lightning while climbing this year:

1. Check the weather forecast before going out.
2. Do your climbing in the morning before it storms.
3. Be prepared to change or abandon your climbing plans.
4. Pay attention to atmospheric changes.
5. Get off high places before a storm arrives.
6. Learn to recognize thunderstorms that produce lightning.
7. Use thunder to determine how far a storm is from you.
8. Follow the 30-30 Rule.

There you have it! The 30-30 rule just means if the time between when you see lightning and hear the thunder is under 30 seconds, seek shelter. Wait 30 minutes from the last bolt of lightning before you safely go out again.

Stay Safe this year!

(image via allposters.com)

Labels: climbing, Climbing Safety, Lightning, Outdoor Rock Climbing

Rumors are stirring, and for the first time it's the kind of rumor we'd actually like to see come true! We just caught wind of a rumor that a climbing show might be coming to the National Geographic channel in HD! Looks like it is a bit more than a rumor as ClimbingNarc.com found out some information that there is indeed a climbing show being finalized, the only problem is, no U.S. network has been chosen to pick it up and air it. Yet.

According to Sender Films, they are working on a climbing series that is based on the movie "First Ascent" and they hope to begin airing it sometime this summer. If all goes according to plan, the series will be a six-parter and will follow some of the top climbs and climbers. Here's what they had to say:

"We are currently polishing off the first two episodes. The first documents Chris Sharma’s latest 5.15 efforts in Spain and Clark Mountain, created in close collaboration with Big Up Productions. The second follows Renan Ozturk, Cedar Wright and Sean Leary on an epic trip to South America in honor of the great Roberta Nunes. We are going to be cranking all through the summer shooting and editing these and four other shows from Alaska to The Himalayas. First Ascent will be airing on Nat Geo’s international channels later this year."

I don't know about you, but I can't wait for a U.S. network to pick this up. It's time Climbing got the popularity it deserved.

Labels: climbing, ClimbingNarc, National Geographic, Rock climbing, Television

If you've ever climbed in or around Lake Tahoe, you're most likely familiar with the huge rock formation that in the past, has been a popular climbing spot. You're likely also familiar that it's been about a year since climbing was officially banned after "a decade of legal battles involving the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, and the Access Fund, a Boulder, Colo.-based advocacy group for rock climbers."

To make a long story short, the Washoe Tribe won and climbing was banned. As such, the official removal of the climbing bolts has now begun, and looks to take about a month to complete, weather depending.

The debate between the two groups was a long and intense one, and according to reports, all centered around the following:

"According to Washoe lore, Cave Rock was a sacred place where tribal elders communed with powerful spirits...The Access Fund maintained the ban was unconstitutional because it gave a religious groupo exclusive control over public property. "

Nevertheless, climbing is now banned, so if you were a fan of Tahoe climbing, it's time to set your sights elsewhere.

(image via alpinist.com)

Labels: Cave Rock, climbing, Climbing Ban, Lake Tahoe

We're sneaking up on the season of vacations...schools are about to be letting out for Summer, you might have a few weeks of free time saved up from work, so really the only question that remains is where to go, and when. After reading the article we just found, you might be changing your plans, and re-routing your GPS.

That's right, we just found a great report on 5 different locations that are prime spots if you love to climb. Some of them aren't your typical vacation destinations, but if it's the climbing you're after, you can't do much better than these 5 places. Check out the Top 5:

1. City of Rocks, Idaho - "City of Rocks is a climber's paradise of granite domes set in the grassy rolling hills of southern Idaho...Rock formations from 30 to 300 feet tall provide an abundance of climbing opportunities, from beginner to advanced single pitch cracks to multipitched bolted lines. "
2. Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite, Calif. - "The ultimate destination for any climber is Yosemite -- the birthplace of American big-wall climbing. The staggering beauty of the granite walls and green meadows and the unsurpassed climbing continue to lure climbers from all over the world."
3. Indian Creek, Utah - "Affectionately referred to by climbers simply as "The Creek," Indian Creek is THE place for crack climbing, with perfect sandstone splitter cracks of every width imaginable. "
4. Red Rock Canyon, Nevada - "Deep red and orange saturated sandstone, bighorn sheep, wild burros, sunny skies and the lights of Las Vegas in the distance -- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is the Vegas playground for climbers. It offers some of the best moderate, multipitch routes to be found anywhere."
5. Leavenworth, Wash. - "Homegrown granite, great climbing, alpine lakes, mountain goats and a Bavarian village -- it is not necessary to go overseas for this interesting mixture. "

So, as you start planning your upcoming vacation, why not go off the beaten path of typical vacations, avoid the Disneylands and the theme parks and make it a climbing vacation worth remembering?

(image via utahhikes.com)

Labels: climbing, Locations, Outdoor Rock Climbing, Top 5, Vacation

Welcome back to the work week. Monday kicks off with Sacramento Pipeworks getting a great testimonial from a community group they recently hosted in their gym. Looks like everyone had a great time and most importantly, a whole lot was learned by all.

The group, called SKYLAB, is a community group that strives to better the lives of youth by giving them a safe harbor to figure out exactly who they are. According to the testimonial they sent, SKYLAB "believes that youth are valuable assets with important ideas, and therefore seeks to provide a safe, creative, nurturing space in which children can pursue their own interests as well as work together to ask questions and present creative solutions to community problems." We couldn't agree more and all of us at Touchstone Climbing agree that children are the most valuable assets. At any rate, here's what some of the kids had to say:

• Christina (11, first time going) said: “Rock climbing was perfect and interesting. I was surprised when I got further past the green and pink rock than I thought that I could. I felt safe, supported and not gonna fall.”
• Dale (9) “I went mostly on all of the walls. When I felt most scared I remembered my past good experiences rock climbing.”
• Mikael (first time going) “I didn’t like the harness but I liked the climbing rope [exercise rope].”
• Jasmine (8) “I had fun. When I was scared I got over the fear by pushing on.”
• Emma (18, Student Intern) “I saw all of the kids finish the day going twice as high as they were in the morning. It was really neat to see.”

Thanks again for a great time and we're looking forward to working with you more in the upcoming future!

Labels: climbing, Community Group, kids, Sacramento Pipeworks, SKYLAB

Short notice on this one, but nevertheless if you're in or around the Sacramento area, this is an event you won't want to miss for a variety of reasons. On Saturday, April 25th, there is a clean-up going on very near the Auburn Quarry. In case you didn't know, climbing is currently banned at the Quarry and event sponsors CRAGS (Climbing Resource Advocates for Greater Sacramento) are trying hard to get that changed. Bottom line, a clean-up is a great way to show some very important goodwill at the same time doing something very good for this planet of ours.

Here is some more information, but make sure to leave your schedules open this Saturday, April 25th from 8:00 am til 1:00 pm. Here you go:

Earth Day 2009 American River Clean-up

Keep it Wild! ~ Keep it Scenic! ~ Keep it Clean!

Saturday, April 25 8am to 1pm

Meet at the old Auburn-Foresthill curved bridge near the Confluence 3 miles below Auburn near the Highway 49 American River crossing.
Check in at the Protect American River Canyons information booth to register and receive your free map of the American River Confluence Parkway, trash collection bags water and snacks. Historic Bridges of the Confluence hike @ 11:30 am. Wear sturdy shoes, Bring gloves, and a lunch.

For more information contact the Auburn State Recreation Area office @ 530-885-4527 or PARC @ 530-885-8878.

Sponsored by the California State Parks Foundation, Auburn State Recreation Area, Protect American River Canyons, ASRA Canyon Keepers and CRAGS(Climbing Resource Advocates for Greater Sacramento)
A very special thanks to clean-up donors, Keep California Beautiful, Auburn Placer Disposal, CHP, PG&E, Raley’s Markets, Grocery Outlet and the Auburn Journal and Auburn Sentinel.

We hope to see you there!

Labels: American River Clean-Up, Charity, climbing, Earth Day, Sacramento Pipeworks, The Quarry

Here's a quick heads up about an awesome free member event that is taking place this Sunday, April 19th from 2-4pm at our Mission Cliffs location. If you're in or around the area, we highly suggest dropping in for this clinic, you can learn a lot and I'm pretty sure everyone will benefit from it greatly.

So, this Sunday, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm we will be having a Climbing and Yoga Injury Clinic that will help you learn exactly how to avoid common climbing and yoga related injuries. Check out the official info about the event:

Focus on Lower Back, Hip and Knee Injuries

CLIMBING & YOGA INJURY CLINIC. Learn to prevent, identify and treat common climbing and yoga-related injuries in this FREE clinic on SUNDAY APRIL 19th from 2-4 PM. This clinic will focus on lower back, hip and knee injuries, but other injuries can be addressed as well, time permitting. Physical therapist David Borgeson will discuss the pathology and treatment of injuries affecting participants. Learn how climbing and yoga can both cause and cure injuries.

David Borgeson is an orthopedic physical therapist at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Center for Sports Medicine - Corte Madera Clinic. An avid climber of 30 years and yoga practitioner, David has developed expertise in evaluating and treating injuries commonly seen in rock climbers and yoga enthusiasts. He has taught classes on climbing technique and injury prevention for Touchstone for the past 10 years, and incorporates yoga into his physical therapy practice.

Bottom line, if you're in the area, stop in and check it out. Injuries are annoying no matter when, where or why you get them, so the more you can learn to avoid them, the better off you'll be. Your body will thank you, and when you're able to spend more days doing the things you love, and less days recovering, you'll thank us.

Labels: climbing, Clinic, event, Injury Prevention, mission cliffs, Yoga, Yoga Classes

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

Do you have empty space in your house, whether it's an unfinished basement, a garage you don't use or a family room that never actually sees your family? How about converting it into a mini-climbing or bouldering wall? What better way to keep up on practicing when you're not inside the climbing gym, whichever Touchstone Climbing location you frequent, than doing some climbing and practicing at home?

I just read an article about a family that did exactly that, converted their unused space in their home to a bouldering wall and filled the walls and ceilings with holds and even made their own routes. What better way to stay fit, practice your climbing skills and have FUN while you're not able to be in the gym? According to the article, the Dad of the family, Kevin did all of the work himself:

"Kevin, a handy man, installed plywood around three walls (the fourth wall is a mirror) and part of the ceiling, added "holds" or fake rocks made of resin that he found on eBay and Craigslist and threw a few mats on the floor."

Head over and check out the article, maybe it will inspire you to whip up your own mini-bouldering wall in your own home.

(image via journalnow.com)

Labels: Bouldering, climbing, DIY Ideas, Home, Practice

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

Sacramento Pipeworks recently hosted a community group, Options for Youth, at our gym and we were fortunate enough to hear back from them with a photo and a testimonial.

The students came and had a day of climbing at Pipeworks and the day was such a success that it looks like they signed up for one day a month of climbing excursions. Check out the letter we received from Brad Astin, the Master Teacher at Options for Youth:

"I wanted to thank you for having our students come climb at Pipeworks. We had class with the students yesterday and they were very excited about the last climbing trip and pumped to hear that we expanded the dates to one per month for future climbing outings. They are already talking about how they are going to climb harder routes! Going into the first climbing outing many of the students were unsure of themselves and how they would perform on the wall. Now all they are much more confident and looking forward to the next challenge. This confidence is carrying over into the classroom as well. These students are more outspoken and participate more in class discussions than they had before. We have also seen increased teamwork and academic performance from these students as well. They know that climbing and participating in the Outdoor Experience program is a privilege and they are taking the responsibility very seriously. Thank you very much for your involvement with our students and our program. We look forward to a continued relationship with Pipeworks."

We were happy to have you and look forward to seeing you again in the future!

Labels: climbing, community, Community Group, Groups, Options for Youth, Sacramento Pipeworks

Did you know that in climbing, the more Ape you are, the better? That's right, your ape index actually says a lot. If you've never heard of an ape index, don't worry, you're not the first, and you certainly won't be the last. Here's a quick update to let you know that for the entire month of February at Diablo Rock Gym we have an interactive art project going on that helps you measure your ape index.

Now, a quick primer:

"Ever wondered what your Ape Index is? Well this month at the DRG you can find out what it is and see how you compare to other climbers. The Ape Index is an informal measure of one's armspan relative to height. Among rock climbers it is seen as desirable to have an arm span that exceeds one's height. Your ape index can be calculated by the subtracting your height from your armspan. The greater the number, the higher your ape index. So come on down and measure yours today - While you still can! "

So if you're in the area head in and get measured, if you're a member, take a few minutes after your next climb or workout and log your ape index. See how you all stack up.

Labels: Ape Index, Artist of the Month, climbing, Diablo Rock Gym, Interactive Project

The new year always brings a lot of new faces in the gym and as such, we thought it would be a good time to remind everyone of some basic bouldering safety. The main thing you need to know, right off the bat before you start climbing, is the easiest to learn: How To Fall. That's right, many people get injured by falling, and landing improperly while bouldering.

Here are the basics:

1. Hit the ground feet first, toes facing forward, with your knees bent.
2. Absorb shock by collapsing like an accordion.
3. Roll backwards to disperse force.
   

The article mentions that you should always scout out your landing area before beginning any bouldering problems. Keep this extra little tip in mind:

"Except in cases where an obstacle looms immediately behind you (e.g. a wall, person, etc.), there is seldom a reason to remain on your feet. Posting your arm behind you can potentially dislocate or break your elbow, wrist, or shoulder. Also take care when rolling forward, as whacking your head on your knees or the wall will reduce your debonair appearance."

Labels: Bouldering, climbing, How To Fall, New Members, Safety

In case you missed the comp last Friday in Sacramento, here is a brief recap of all the in's and out's of what occurred at this year's TBS4 held at Sacramento Pipeworks. By all accounts it was a very successful competition and it makes us even more excited for our next event, to be held at Diablo Rock Gym on Friday, February 20th, so start planning now!

Here's a bit of what you missed:

Held Friday January 23rd from 6-10pm. The 64 climbing problems ranged in difficulty from V0 to V11. 165 competitors from Sacramento, Davis and all over the bay area turned in score cards and were treated to pizza and beer. Prizes raffled at the end included t-shirts, climbing chalk, bouldering brushes, magazines, bouldering guides, chalk bags, coffee mugs and Touchstone water bottles. While scores were being tallied, the crowd was entertained by a slackline competition and a ro-sham-bo (rock, paper and scissors) championship.

Thanks for everyone who participated, competed and enjoyed. It's always a great time.

Labels: climbing, Competition, Sacramento Pipeworks, TBS4, Touchstone Climbing

If you're the type of climber that likes to keep track of every single detail of your climbs, your work-outs and your daily climb related fitness endeavors, we just found the perfect iPhone application for you.

While none of us have actually tested the app, called SprayCaster, it does look like it might offer a few promising features. According to the article I read:

"The way the app works is that you can log each route you climb, indicating whether it was done on lead or not as well as if you onsighted/flashed or simply redpointed. Based on the criteria entered for each route, a score is assigned to indicate the overall effort associated with whatever it is that you did...Once you save the climbs, you can go back and view the log for an individual day in your history. The basic premise is that you should be able to easily compare your training days based on the score the app has assigned to each day."

Interested? Check it out and report back to us if you like it or hate it. Use something else? We're all ears...sound off and let us know.

Labels: App, climbing, Iphone, iPhone App, Technology

Labels: climbing, Eric Hörst, fitness, Training

Mission Cliff was just featured on a popular San Francisco television show "The View from the Bay" that airs on the local ABC channel. Looks like they got some great footage, some great interviews and it's nice to see Mission Cliffs getting the recognition it deserves.

Those on the show sent over Leigh Glaser to Mission Cliffs and let her do a little bit of climbing and filming. The segment highlighted not only our climbing and fitness programs, but also our kids programs, birthday parties and after-school camps.

The video is entertaining, so head over and check it out. Thanks again all of you on "The View from the Bay," it was great to see this. They also had a bit of information I thought I'd relay for any and all of you interested in the after-school climbing we offer:

After School Climbing

Ten week sessions are offered from 4pm to 6pm. Call your local gym for dates & prices.

Suggested ages: 6 to 14
Days: Check with your local gym
Time: 4pm - 6pm
Price: $250 for non-members; $200 for members
Curriculum: Belaying, knotcraft, basic movement technique, rappelling, anchors, mock leading, bouldering, spotting, training, route-reading

Labels: climbing, mission cliffs, Television, The View from the Bay, Touchstone Climbing

This past December, Berkeley Ironworks was happy to host a group of four students from King Middle School and it just recently came to our attention that they put up a great testimonial to the outing on the Hayward Unified School District website.

The four students that were selected for the day trip were chosen "by making commitments towards positive change as students and citizens of their school and community." They all got the full lay of the land once inside Berkeley Ironworks and all showed some great promise on the climbing walls.

At any rate, head over and check out the testimonial on their site. I'm sure we'll be playing host to other events like this in the future, so stay tuned.

Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, climbing, Education, Hayward California, Testimonial, Unified school district

Hey all you Great Western Power Co. fans, this one is aimed DIRECTLY at you. As I've mentioned, we're officially into 2009, and I've decided this is the year we're going to get each and every one of you into the best shape of your lives. Ready to join me?

That said, for any and all of you Great Western Power Co. members, potential members, or even just people that have always Wanted to be members, now is the time to join up. We have a new Core Class that is guaranteed to whip you into healthy shape. Don't believe me? Check out this Course intro and a bit about our instructor...trust me, you'll buy it after you read, and see who's teaching:

High Energy Core and Flexibility Class

Having trouble controlling your hips on steep terrain? Can't quite reach that high-step? Two perfect examples of the need to increase core strength and flexibility! Isabel will help you open your hips and strengthen your abdominal muscles. A strong core and increased flexibility will improve range of motion and strength in many climbing positions such as stemming and high stepping. Release more power and gain more control! Being flexible while using strength is extremely advantageous and can develop an entirely new body awareness for all athletes. This class is also a great way for you to warm up and loosen muscles and tendons for your work out or climbing session. Working your abs has never been this fun! This class is open to all levels!

About Isabel:

Isabel von Rittberg has been climbing since 2001, and has been dancing her whole life. Extremely stimulated by all kinds of movement, she includes stretching and a core strengthening workout into her daily routine. Climbing has become Isabel's main drive and spiritual inspiration. It allows her to work proficiently, be attentive, and feel alive. Isabel has combined her passions for climbing, music, and dance by starting her own dance-climb fusion company, the AscenDance Project. Her group conveys the grace and fluidity of a climber's delicate yet powerful movement.

The time is now, stop in, sign up and get to work! The Class starts in February and will be every Thursday from 6-7pm. IF you want a little sample of what you're getting yourself into, there will be a Demo Class this January 22 at 6pm. What have you got to lose?!

Labels: climbing, Core Class, Great Western Power Co., GWPC, Isabel, New Class

I just read an article that absolutely hits the nail on the head this fine Monday Morning. Lets face it, we're officially back into the swing of things now, the Holiday Season is over, the gifts have all been opened, the fudge has all been eaten, and the turkey is just about through making us extremely tired.

Just like clockwork, this time of year every single year leads to hundreds of thousands of people all collectively sighing, feeling their Holiday stomachs and saying, "I've got to lose weight." I don't know if it is the culmination of all of the Halloween candy, the Turkey and Stuffing, the Christmas Ham, the cinnamon rolls, or the Christmas cookies, but there is something about January 2-6th that should be named a National "I Should Lose Weight" holiday.

That said, this year is most likely no exception, and as such we're here to help. I mentioned it last week and I'll mention it again: If you're looking to get back into shape, stay in shape, or get into a new kind of shape you've never been in, there are few better ways than climbing, and there are few better ways than joining a community of people that are all looking to do the exact same thing. Think of it this way, if you go it alone and skip a workout, who, besides yourself, are you letting down? No one. Now, if you have a group of friends/family/co-workers that all count on you to work out with them each day at the same place, how much more difficult will it be to call in sick for a workout? See my point?

Climbing, as you might now, is an amazing, full body workout that can do wonders for not only your body, but your mind as well. If you've never tried it, now is the time, and again, with no initiation fees this January, do you really have any excuses left for why you're NOT here with us? We have a lot of gyms, one is almost certainly in your immediate area, what do you have to lose (except all that holiday weight)? Stop in, check us out, take us for a test drive, I guarantee you'll come back for more.

Stop in, talk to us, you'll be glad you did!

(image via sunlightsaunas)

Labels: climbing, No Initiation Fee, Touchstone Climbing, Weight loss

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

I just read an article about a climber that literally saved his own life by digging a snow cave using nothing but a knife and a ball point pen. According to the article:

"He was unable to use his climbing axe which was buried under a metre of snow. With the tent buried under the snow, his friend had been unable to find his boots when he crawled out...Mr Hideaki said it took him hours to dig a small snow cave with a knife and ballpoint pen. After he managed to dig the cave he curled up in it. It was only big enough to partially protect both of them. His friend chose to remain outside two to three metres away in his sleeping bag where he could lie outstretched."

That decision would prove to be fatal for his climbing partner and guide. As they checked each other every few hours, finally they slept until sunrise at which point his partner did not wake. I can't imagine what he's going through right now, but the sheer fact that he literally saved himself using nothing more than his own pocket knife and a ball point pen shines so much light on the human spirit.

This accident took place in a location I am familiar with and have been to, Mt. Cook in New Zealand. We all wish you well Mr. Hideaki, and we applaud your spirit.

(Image via Pat Leahy on Flickr)

Labels: Aoraki/Mount Cook, climbing, Climbing News, New Zealand, Survival

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

There might be some hardcore purists that don't need any fancy shoes or equipment to climb quickly and efficiently, but I my friends, am not one of them. I love climbing shoes, I love the grip it gives, I love the comfort, and I love the confidence. That said, I have some pretty awesome news for you all!

This coming week, at each Touchstone Climbing Gym will host a Demo Day for Evolv Sports, makers of some of the finest climbing shoes in the biz. The demo's will go from 6-8PM each night, and each night they'll be at a different gym. This is a chance for anyone to try on shoes from Evolv to see which ones they like, which size they should get, or which style fits best. I'm not sure what all shoes they are bringing, but this is an event you should not miss. Keep in mind one important thing: ANY shoe you want, we can special order it for you, regardless if we carry it on a regular basis or not.

At any rate, here is the schedule, don't miss out at your local gym!

Labels: climbing, Climbing shoe, Demo, Evolv Sports, Indoor, Shoes

That's right, the FOURTH, yes 4th Touchstone Bouldering Series is coming up this Friday! To prepare for the event the Bouldering Area of GWPC is going to be closed starting Wednesday and continuing until the competition ends. Here's what our good friend Lyn Verinsky, General Manager of Great Western Power Company, has to say about the forthcoming event:

"Can you believe it’s the FOURTH season of the Touchstone Bouldering Series?! GW is kicking things off in November with lots of climbing, food, and beverages. We’ll raffle off a few goodies and make sure everyone has a great night with all their climbing buddies."

So, prepare yourselves for Friday if you're in the area, and if not, at the very least we're giving you a nice little reminder that the bouldering area will be closed for a few days. Sorry for the inconvenience, but trust us, it's worth it!

(Image via UTomJording on Flickr)

Labels: Bouldering, climbing, Closures, Great Western Power Co. TBS4, Rock Climb

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

A few weeks ago, October 23, to be exact, we mentioned an extremely important event that we wanted as many people as possible to know about. The Full Lung Capacity Benefit, for Rowan Jimenez was a chance for all of us to give back to one of our own. The event was November 1st and has come and gone. The news I want to share with all of you is this: It was a MASSIVE success! All of YOU made the Benefit far greater than we could have imagined, and for that, Thank You!

We got an email and we thought we had to share it, to help show you just how wild a success the Full Lung Capacity Benefit was. Try this on for size my friends, straight from Chris Bloch:

"The Full Lung Capacity Bouldering Benefit was a great success, bringing in over 300 supporters, 178 who climbed in the bouldering competition, and the rest participatied in the acro yoga workshop, or just came to support Rowan and party. We raised $15,600 for Rowan’s transplant fund, and came together as a community to help a friend in need. There was an amazing outpouring of positive energy all night long...I have organized, set routes, or competed in over 200 climbing events in the past 14 or so years, from the ESPN X-Games, to countless local bouldering events here in the Bay Area. This event was by far the most positive, least stressful (really), and most enjoyable event I have been involved with. I was hoping for a good turnout, and was a bit worried with the weather the way it was, but the event far exceeded my expectations. I heard positive things from everyone I talked to, and the energy in the gym was amazing. The whole night was a testament to how many lives Rowan has touched, how our community of climbers can come together to support a friend in need, and how teamwork, hard work, and dedication can make a difference."

I'm proud of everyone! For all of you that couldn't make it, fear not, there is a photo album up with every single photo you missed at this awesome event! Head over, check them out and be proud that we as a climbing community came together for such an awesome cause!

Labels: Benefit, Bouldering, climbing, Full Lung Capacity, Rowan Jimenez

I don't know about you, but when I can't be actually climbing, few things make me feel better than watching other people climb. Why there aren't more channels on Digital Cable or Direct TV that are dedicated to rock climbing, be it indoor or outdoor, is beyond me. Personally, I think we should rally together, and get ESPN to release something like ESPN 7 - Climbing. Ahh, one can dream.

Until that day, however, I do have some ridiculously good news. How about trying this on for size: Free Climbing Videos. Free AMAZING climbing videos. How amazing? How about the fact that they USED to cost money and the service Used to be a subscription service, but now, they are free. The site, MomentumVM used to charge people just to get in the doors and now, you can sign up, sign in and start watching as many videos as you want, at no charge. That, is awesome.

According to them, it was the support of advertisers that made it all possible. For us, it simply means their MASSIVE archives of climbing videos has just been opened for us to frolic in. Sweet. So, if you can't get to the climbing gyms today, at the very least head over and start watching some videos to tide you over. Can't think of many better ways to spend my day!

Labels: climbing, Free, Indoor, Rock Climb, Video clip, Videos

Happy Friday! Hopefully you have a weekend packed full of climbing, fitness, and some outdoor activities all planned out! You made it through the work week and that is an accomplishment in and of it self!

I thought it'd be cool to start a new feature to the blog, every Friday offer up a new climbing video clip showing someone doing something we all love! I'm going to need your help on this, faithful readers, so if you have any videos or photos that you'd love to see featured on this new Friday feature, do not hesitate to send them into us! Maybe yours will be our Climbing Clip of the Week! Why not show off your exploits, brag to your friends, and let the Internets see how awesome you reallly are.

To kick things off, check out this clip of Chris Sharma at the 2008 Climbing Nationals. You'll get to see a lot of awesome climbing, and a huge surprise at the end. Check it out, submit your videos in to us, and have a great weekend!

Labels: Chris Sharma, climbing, Indoor climbing, Video clip

Yesterday we talked about the variety of climbing shoes we carry, endorse and love, today, I'm here to tell you that if you're not ready to buy just yet, we have Demo Days THIS week that will allow you to test them out, climb in them, and get the feel for them!

That's right, you shouldn't buy before you try, so we're having Shoe Demos at Touchstone Climbing Gyms! Here are the basics and the things You need to know for our demos, starting with the schedule.

Labels: climbing, Climbing shoe, Indoor climbing, Recreation, Rock Climb

Happy Monday and here's hoping that your Halloween was amazing! Hopefully this post does not find you in complete diabetic shock from all the sugar, costumes and festivities. That said, it's time to get back on track and start climbing our healthy little butts off. I thought I'd start things this week with a brief reminder that we have a TON of awesome climbing shoes on sale at all of our climbing gyms.

A few things to keep in mind before I get into some of the different shoes we sell:

• Members all get 10% off, all shoes all the time.
• We can special order ANY shoe if we do not have it in stock, just ask, we'll do it.
• We also sell children's shoes for all your up-and-coming climbers in the family. Again, just ask, we'll get it if we don't already have it in!

Without further ado, here are some of the shoes we carry, love, and fully endorse:

Five Ten

* Moccasym $99- extremely sensitive pull on shoe.
* Velco Anasazi $139- high end performance shoe for routes and bouldering.
* Anasazi Low Volume $135 – great for medium volume feet, technical climbs indoor and out.
* Spire $95 - entry level lace up shoe.

Evolv

* Defy $85- comfortable sensitive all day shoe, indoor or out.
* Predator $109- turned down shoe great for aggressive climbing.
* Pontas $115- high performance shoe for technical steep climbing.

La Sportiva

* Mantis $80- all around entry level shoe great for gym climbing.
* Mythos $130- high performance lace up shoe, great for cracks.
* Solution $155 high performance down turned shoe, aggressive climbing.

Basically, we have something for everyone, and the time is now to get into this! Get some gear, get started, and let us help you along your way!

Labels: climbing, Climbing shoe, Clothing, Indoor climbing, Shoe

It doesn't matter if you're brand new to the sport of climbing or bouldering, or a seasoned veteran, we all know that when it comes to climbing, falls are a simple, often painful, constant. The bad news is, it will always be a constant, the good news, it doesn't always have to be painful!

If you've ever been to a climbing gym, one of the first things you'll likely notice are crash pads. Any slip, tumble or fall can be transformed from a nasty, potentially career or sport-ending fall into something to laugh about, learn from, and advance yourself further into climbing. Bottom line, if you're a serious climber, or serious about becoming a serious climber, you need your own crash pads for your own bouldering needs!

I have some great news: Touchstone Climbing offers crash pads, and you can special order any pad you want from all of the companies we deal with if we don't happen to have the one you want in stock. The better news is, in our special ordering we can get different sizes and colors if we don't have the exact one you want. The BEST news is that as a member of Touchstone Climbing, you get 10% off your order! The prices range from about $135 up to $370 for the top-of-the-line. We offer the best of the best when it comes to crash pads, including Voodoo, Moon, Organic, Metoulius and Black Diamond pads!

Be smart, invest in some pads so your climbing and bouldering days can continue long into the future.

Labels: Bouldering, climbing, Crash Pads, members, Sale

Hello, Happy Monday and welcome back to the work week!

Here's a heads up for what is sure to be an awesome clinic that you should Not miss. If you are not a climber but want to be, are a climber but want to be better, or are already amazing but just need a tune-up, this FREE clinic is for you. Tomorrow, from 6-7:30pm at the Great Western Power Co., Ethan Schwartz, Ph.D. is going to be putting on a great clinic on how you can perform your best in the climbing world.

Here are some details, so listen up, if you please:

What: Clinic on how to perform your best in climbing!
Where: Great Western Power Co.
When: Tuesday, October 28 from 6-7:30pm
Cost: FREE

About the clinic:
What allows you to perform your best? What mental processes channel all of your physical potential into one superb performance, your personal best? Peak moments can be fleeting, but this class will outline the psychological processes that set the stage for peak performance, specifically in the realm of climbing. Through exercises and discussion you'll learn how best to get "in the zone" and get your "head" out of your way, so you are more likely to utilize all that you are as a climber/athlete.

About Ethan:

Ethan Schwartz, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in private practice with an office in Oakland. He has worked with professional, college, and amateur athletes and has studied, researched, and pursued the psychology of peak performance both as a climber/athlete and a clinician. He has been climbing for 17 years and continues to be passionate about pushing his physical limits whether it be bouldering, crack climbing, or sport climbing.

Don't be shy, come, enjoy, learn and push yourself to be the best that you know you can be. Click here to check out the official flyer, then, hopefully we'll see you Tuesday night!

Labels: Bouldering, climbing, Rock Climb

Chris Sharma has climbed a route that could be the hardest route in the world.

Jumbo Love (5.15b) at Clark Mountain, south of Las Vegas is a 250 ft. pitch of continuous, radically steep climbing. Sharma took numerous 100 foot falls on the route; the involved and difficult climbing doesn’t allow one to stop and clip. It’s purported to have a single jug on the whole route with the rest involving long bouldering sequences and sections of 5.13, and 5.14 climbing.

What is it like to climb Jumbo Love? Imagine climbing five times the length of the steepest, longest wall at a Touchstone gym and doing continuous V8 to V11 moves the whole way.

Sharma often is reluctant to grade grades. He’s also quite understated. In true form, he has said only that completing the route would create a milestone for climbing.

Labels: Chris Sharma, climbing, Las Vegas

This Wednesday, from 6-8PM at GWPC, people are invited to climb in a pair of La Sportiva Arco or Mythos shoes. Here's what La Sportiva says about the Arco, which was new in 2008. This is a beautifully crafted shoe designed for all day comfort and performance with the following features: * Ventilated upper with a perforated, lined synthetic leather arch area for moisture management * Unlined leather upper for performance and sensitivity * 5mm Vibram® XS Grip sticky rubber outsole. The Mythos is such a classic that it defies description. But if you haven't had an opportunity to try them out, here's your chance. You may discover your new favorite climbing shoe.

Labels: climbing, event, Great Western Power Co., oakland

Sacramento climbers are hosting two October events to launch CRAGS (“Climbing Resource Advocates for Greater Sacramento”). CRAGS is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and the area’s first Access Fund affiliate, started by local climbers interested in protecting climbing access while promoting safe, sustainable climbing practices.

The first event is on Saturday Oct. 11 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. CRAGS and a local youth climbing team, Summit Party, are co-sponsoring their first Adopt-a-Crag event to clean up the Rocklin Boulders near downtown Rocklin. Climbers will remove garbage, prune trees and restore trails, as well as climb. At the same time, CRAGS organizers will teach low-impact climbing practices to participants.

For the second event, CRAGS will bring the hugely popular 2008 Reel Rock Film Tour to Sacramento, helping kick off a membership drive and raise funds for this local non-profit climbing organization. The film is being hosted by Sacramento Pipeworks on Saturday October 25 at 7:00 p.m. and includes a raffle of climbing gear from major climbing product manufacturers. Top climbers, including Chris McNamara, who founded SuperTopo guidebooks and is featured in one of the Reel Rock’s films, is expected to attend in support. The third annual Reel Rock Film Tour includes a climbing feature film, plus short films on climbing and adventure.

To join CRAGS, volunteer for the clean-up or for more information please contact CRAGS Executive Director Brian Poulsen at 916-201-2376 bpoulsenjr@gmail.com or CRAGS Board member/Reel Rock Film Tour Organizer Rob Trelford at 415-640-3332.

Labels: Access Fund, Chris McNamara, climbing, event, REEL ROCK TOUR, Sacramento Pipeworks