Heads up to all you Mission Cliffs climbers at fitness fanatics that just so happen to be men, this one is aimed right at you. Due to the fact that we will be completely re-tiling the entire Men's shower area, unfortunately the showers themselves will be completely unavailable from this Friday, March 27th at 10:00 am until Monday, March 30th.

We are sorry for the inconvenience, but rest assured the few days of shower-less locker rooms will be well worth the hassle once the re-tiling is complete.

Thanks for your understanding, and remember, March 27th through March 30th, No Showers at Mission Cliffs!

Labels: members, mission cliffs, No Men's Showers, Showers

At our Sacramento Pipeworks gym, for the last 7 years we've been doing a "featured member" series. Every so often, our staff members will pick someone who they feel exemplifies the Pipeworks dedication to health, diversity, fun and sense of community.

When this person is chosen, their photo will be displayed for a time along with their answers to some very silly questions we asked them. Vaughn over at Pipeworks sent us this about some of their recent Featured Members, and what struck him, was how diverse our membership is here at Touchstone Climbing. Here's what he had to say:

"While compiling this collage, I was struck by how truly diverse our membership is: young and old, men and women, boys and girls, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, people of all shapes, sizes, colors and dispositions. We have featured individuals, as well as brothers/sisters, fathers/sons and couples. The common thread seems to be that they are all happy and healthy, and have all played a part in shaping what a great place this gym has become!"

Thanks everyone who has become a member!

Labels: Featured Members, members, Membership, Sacramento Pipeworks, Touchstone Climbing

In just a few weeks Berkeley Ironworks is going to have their hands on some great new climbing shoes from the company that is arguably the best in the business. That's right, Five Ten has a new shoe, dubbed "Project" and it's HERE at Berkeley Ironworks to be sold to you.

As always, members will receive 10% off on this awesome new shoe. Here is a bit more about the new Five Ten "Project" shoe, straight from the company:

"Five Ten™ Project

The most sensitive climbing shoe ever built. Designed exclusively for overhanging rock, the Project™ features Five Ten’s ground-breaking Prehensile ™ technology that lets you use your feet like hands. Prehensile Technology allows climbers to grab like never before. Due to the unprecedented durability of new Stealth ™ Mystique™ rubber, the Project’s downturned soles are only 2mm thick (other climbing shoes have at least 4mm thick soles). If you’re climbing hard overhanging routes outdoors or at the gym, the Project is the best choice."

Stop in and check out our selection of climbing shoes, with 10% off I'm sure you can find something great.

Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, Climbing shoe, Discount, Equipment, Five Ten, members

This week's Friday, in case you haven't noticed, is the fourth Friday of this month. That means, for all you Touchstone Climbing members out there, Friday at ALL of our gyms is Members Guest Night.

Members Guest night is a way for all you Touchstone Climbing members to get your wife/husband, best friend, parents, co-workers or anyone else you know involved with the sport of climbing. On the Fourth Friday of each month, Members can bring one guest to any of our gyms for free to climb with them. Rental equipment is not included, but what a great way to introduce someone in your life to climbing and fitness here at Touchstone?

Keep in mind, this Members Guest Night on the 4th Friday is in addition to the one free guest pass that each member can use each month on any day. So, you now have 2 days a month to bring someone outside of climbing, Inside to climb.

Hopefully we'll see you, and some new faces.

Labels: Events, Friday, Guest Pass, members, Members Guest Night

If you have any interest whatsoever in climbing, there is a pretty good chance that for you, the absolute climbing mecca of this world is in and around Nepal. With the tallest mountains in the entire world, and the greatest challenges required to get on top of them, Nepal is packed with more climbing fantasy than just about anywhere else.

Turns out, one of Touchstone's very own members did more than just visit this climbing mecca, he actually climbed. Tom McMillan recently took a trip to Nepal to climb the famous Manaslu, in October. He, Ang Dawa (Nawang Sherpa's younger brother) and a man named Pete Lardy from Colorado Springs took the expedition on and came back with some stunning photographs to prove it.

So, no matter what you find yourself doing this dreaded Monday-after-the-Holidays, you can at least escape to the mountains of Nepal in your browser for awhile, can't you? Head over and check out their full gallery! To learn more about Nawang Sherpa, and I fully reccommend this as well, head over to Friendship Beyond Borders. At any rate, amazing trip guys, keep trekking and when you do, send the photos back our way!

Labels: Expedition, Manaslu, members, Nepal, Tom McMillan, Touchstone Climbing, Trips

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

The Touchstone Bike Club is back. With the races finally over, Biketoberfest seems to be the perfect time to kick off the fall season with some mellow rides. All riders welcome to join in on a casual road ride (approx. 50 miles; consistent pace with limited stops) this coming Saturday, culminating in time to for some beer tasting, music, and food at Biketoberfest in Fairfax.

When: Saturday, October 18, 2008
Where: Riders will meet at Fairfax Coffee Roastery (4 Bolinas Road, Fairfax) at 9:15am (earlier if you need your java!)
Roll-Time: 9:30am sharp!!
Route: TBD but will head north toward Tomales Bay. Plan for 50+/- miles! Bring money for potential bakery stop.

Biketoberfest Info: http://www.biketoberfest2008.org/

Hope to see you all next week!!
Gary, Brian, Amy & Jess

Labels: cycling, members, Touchstone Bike Club

Voting is the most sacred right of a democracy, but you can't vote if you don't register.

So, who is eligible to vote? You must be 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen to vote in California. (17 year olds may register to vote if they will be 18 by Election Day.) Legal residents of California who are not U.S. citizens, and illegal California residents are not eligible to register or vote. Convicted felons currently serving a prison term or on parole are not eligible to register or vote. A California driver's license is not required in order to vote.

October 20th is the deadline to vote in the Presidential Election on November 4th. Click this link to register - it only takes 3 minutes!!

http://justvoteorg.googlepages.com/home?gclid=CJn7x5TinZYCFQkiagodu3KK7Q

Labels: members, touchstone

As many of you know, Rowan Jimenez, former Touchstone employee, parent, rock climber, and musician was diagnosed with a rare disease called scleroderma about six years ago. We just heard from Chris Bloch that Rowan received a lung transplant on Monday morning. Here is the update from Chris:

Today Rowan is alive and well, and recovering from lung transplant surgery! Last night around 8pm, he got the call from UCSF that a suitable donor had become available, and he needed to be there in two hours. Arriving around 9:30pm with Heather, his brother Juan, and yours truly, he began the long wait for surgery. While we thought he would go right in, they needed to do a lot of prep work, and we ended up saying our goodbyes around 3:30am. It turned out, the surgery started at 5:19am and lasted about 7 hours. He had no complications at all. In fact the doctors said the surgery was "routine," as if there is a routine lung transplant...He is now resting in the intensive cardiac care unit at UCSF medical center. He is sedated and they probably won't wake him up until tomorrow sometime. They said he could be up and walking around tomorrow evening! Sorry, no visitors until he gets out of the ICU. I will keep you posted as to when he can have visitors.

Thanks to everyone who has helped out thus far, we have raised over $30k just from Facebook, Rowan's blog site, email, and word of mouth!! We still have a long way to go, as Rowan now faces a lengthy recovery.

The Full Lung Capacity comp is looking good, with well over $10k in prizes coming in, and it now will be even more fun as we will be celebrating the fact Rowan has his Full Lung Capacity!! Hope to see you all at the comp on November 1st. Please buy a t-shirt, check the blog, and send good vibes Rowan's way as he gets well!

We will be posting more info on the Full Lung Capacity comp that will be held at Berkeley Ironworks on November 1st.

Labels: members, touchstone

Berkeley Ironworks member, local kitchen wizard and climber, Tianna, will be stopping by Tuesday night, Sept 16th from 7-10pm. She’ll be selling baked treats, with a portion of the proceeds going to a breast cancer research fund. Eat your way to a brighter, cancer-free future, or just fuel up for a night of climbing with some good grub.

Interested in joining the delicious effort on a producer front? Talk to Casey at the front desk.

Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, community, members

August 21st was not just any ordinary Thursday, it was the DRG's annual blood drive. Touchstone sends a big thanks to those members at the DRG who braved the needle to donated blood. 23 donors in all came out to give 14 units of blood which was enough to save 42 lives. Way to go everyone!

Labels: community, concord, Diablo Rock Gym, members

Long-time Sacramento Pipeworks bike club member Kent Gillis has recently been selected for a special one week Para-Cycling Training Program to be held at the Olympic training facility in Colorado Springs! Training will begin September 23rd. Being one of only 30 people picked in the country, as well as one of merely 8 hand cyclists, he can now officially be regarded as a cream of the crop athlete. Congratulations Kent!

Labels: members, Sacramento Pipeworks, Touchstone Bike Club

Next time your at Diablo Rock Gym you may notice a little more color on the wall, its not the neon route setting tape, but the artwork that brightens the front entry way and locker room walls. It is the art of Leisa Laney Waldron, the older sister of our superstar front desk staff Morgan.

"My married name is Leisa Waldron, but I still paint under my maiden name of Laney. As a little girl, I was always coming up with new ideas and projects to express myself creatively. I have had the opportunity to sell paintings and images all over the country. I have also had my work shown and sold in galleries, wineries, and through custom design. I have been painting from my home studio for eight years. I love anything and all things creative.

The subject matter and style in which I paint today differs greatly from what I learned while in college studying graphic and fine art. After studying all of the mathematical aspects of art, I knew what I loved most about creating was to make something of my own. I have learned that I love the simple things in life, and that can be seen in my finished works today."

My studio is out of my home in the San Francisco East Bay, California. For more information or to purchase any of her lovely workt visit her website www.laneyfineart.blogspot.com or email her at laneyfineart@gmail.com

Labels: concord, Diablo Rock Gym, members

In yet another daring sprint up the formidable El Capitan, Touchstone member/investor Hans Florine teamed up with Yuji Harayama to reclaim the speed record they set together in 2002 that the Huber brothers beat by 3 minutes in June of 2007. You can read all about their 2 hour, 43 minute and 33 second ascent in the Chronicle and see some photos of the amazing duo.

If my calculations are correct, this is the 10th time Hans has set the speed record for climbing the Nose! More information on this story can also be found at speedclimb.com. Congratulations Hans - you've made the Touchstone community proud!

Labels: climbing, El Capitan, Hans Florine, members, New Record, The Nose

Berkeley Ironworks has a new mosaic sign custom made for us by local mosaic artist Lily Russo. This gigantic piece of art took months to complete and is and exact replica of our logo. If you are interested in seeing more of her work, she is having a mosaic exhibition from May 13th - May 23rd at the Bulldog Cafe in Oakland. The cafe is located at 1739 Broadway Ave in Oakland.

Looking for more information? Check out her website:
http://www.lilymosaics.com/

Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, members

This Monday May 26th, all Touchstone gyms will be open and operating on weekend hours. Standard weekend rates will apply for all gyms. Please contact your local gym to find out the exact hours of operation and pricing.

Labels: members, touchstone

“It’s too sweet now. I can’t ride it.”
– Member, after putting top-end alloy wheels on his road bike.

“The crux is being hungry all the time.”
– Member trying to slim down for a redpoint attempt.

“I think I finally found a sport I might be good at.”
– 4th grader climbing at Sacramento Pipeworks.

“Seats are for sissies.”
-- Touchstone Bike Club member, asked how he managed to ride the last 30 miles of the high-altitude, 123-mile Sierra Century standing up after his seat post broke.

Labels: climbing, fitness, members, Touchstone Bike Club

Touchstone is proud to support our members who are participating in the AIDS/Lifecycle ride from San Francisco to L.A. on June 1-7, 2008. The AIDS/Lifecycle ride is a 7-day ride that travels 545 miles through beautiful California from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The ride is about raising money and awareness for HIV/AIDS.

To learn more about the ride, visit: www.aidslifecycle.org

If you are a Touchstone member participating in this ride, Touchstone will make a $500 donation to your fundraising goal. (This offer is limited to the first 10 members who contact us. After that, we will make $100 donations.) We will also provide a Touchstone Bike Jersey for you to wear during the ride.

If you would like to be sponsored, please e-mail us at: aidsride@touchstoneclimbing.com

Labels: community, cycling, members

Despite a field of nearly 50 hand cycles and push-rim wheelchairs, Sacramento Pipeworks member Kent Gillis recently took an impressive 11th place finish in the hand bike division of the prestigious Los Angeles Marathon. The rewards, as well as the challenges, were many: because the field was especially large it made for a lot of flying elbows at the start, not to mention that the first mile-and-a-half were uphill, and he lost his only water bottle around mile 5. Despite the swerve and wobble it caused, one reward was a top speed personal record of 32mph on a two mile downhill stretch. Another reward were the many L.A. highlights that the course hit; Hollywood Blvd, swankalicious residential neighborhoods, Koreatown, the Coliseum and Staples Center among others. The audience was fantastic as well, with over a million spectators present.

Kent was surprised that “Even in some run-down areas, they were out and cheering for every competitor”. Finishing downtown among the sky-scrapers was “kinda cool” Kent said, with spectators on both sides creating a tunnel of noise. “Unfortunately I wasn't in any condition to appreciate it. I barely remember crossing the finish line”. Kent completed the grueling 26.2 miles in a blazing 2:01:18. Congratulations to this fierce competitor!

Click here to view a story and interview with Kent that recently aired on Good Day Sacramento: http://cbs13.com/video/?id=30961@kovr.dayport.com

Labels: fitness, members, Sacramento Pipeworks

If you have a photo of yourself doing something fun in a Sacramento Pipeworks logo shirt or hat, then we want that picture! Leave your picture (no larger than 5x7 with your name printed on the back) at the Pipeworks front desk and we will post it. The photo board will feature snapshots of members wearing Pipeworks or Touchstone logo gear on top of Mt Whitney, Shasta, Half Dome, on the crux of your hardest outdoor climb, snowshoeing in Tahoe, at the end of a 10K run or 100 mile bike ride – anywhere your adventurous life takes you!

Labels: members, Sacramento Pipeworks, Tahoe

While there have been numerous love connections made at Sacramento Pipeworks, we have never had an actual marriage proposal in the gym. That is until now. Wendy Miller and Paul Galvin have been dating for only 7 months, but their friendship started 5 years ago when coincidentally, he was moving into a house that she was moving out of. That first encounter was in Missoula, Montana where Wendy lived and Paul was going to school. Fast forward to California. Wendy worked a bouldering problem with Paul dutifully spotting her. As Wendy jumped down to the crash pad and turned to face Paul, he gallantly dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him. He later explained that he used his Mothers wedding ring that arrived in the mail just 3 hours before he proposed!

We wish Wendy and Paul only the best in the years to come!

Labels: members, Sacramento Pipeworks

The Sacramento Pipeworks bike club met on a recent cold winter night for their 2nd annual Christmas lights bike ride. Bundled up, riding bikes decked in lights and armed with thermoses of hot chocolate or “holiday cheer”, club members followed a 10 mile route through some of the most beautiful holiday light displays in East Sacramento. Started in 2006 by club member Scott Clark, the ride has already become a tradition looked forward to by all club members. For pictures of more bike club events and activities go to online gallery.

Labels: cycling, members, Sacramento Pipeworks, Touchstone Bike Club

Peter Togasaki, a 26-year-old bike builder at Berkeley-based Wrench Science and former Berkeley Ironworks employee, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia in late August. Peter, had been feeling poorly for weeks but never expected to be diagnosed with this devastating cancer. After two unsuccessful rounds of chemotherapy treatments at an Oakland hospital, he is now being transferred to Stanford for a bone-marrow transplant. The road to recovery will be long (six months or more!) and dangerous. Jess, Peter’s sister and bone marrow donor, greatly appreciates the support and positive thoughts that Peter has been receiving from our community. She writes, “The Peter Fund is still open and any little bit you can give makes a difference. And THANK YOU to everyone who has donated, it's wonderful.”"We’re hoping to rally around Peter and raise enough money to cover his medical/living expenses during this time of need so that he can focus on beating his cancer," says Tim Medina, Wrench Science’s CEO. Information updates and contributions to the Peter Togasaki Cancer Fund can be made electronically. Please visit http://wrenchscience.blogspot.com/2007/11/peter.html

Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, members, staff

When former Sacramento Pipeworks staff member Zane Griffin (above, with beard) and friend Scott Ferreter decided to ride bicycles across country this summer, they realized they had just 41 days to cover 3500 miles, but thought “it sounded like a good idea at the time”. Having done only a few overnight trips on bikes before, to plan the trip they depended on internet research and local bike shops for advice. It was rather hard to find people who had real reliable information, and they managed to speak with only one person who had done it before.

Regardless, one foggy day at the Golden Gate Bridge, with bikes weighing 80 pounds fully loaded, they started. Although there were no luxuries - no I-pods and only one cell phone which they ended up not using – the bikes were still heavy and hard to handle. Almost immediately they encountered the hardest section of the whole trip: Highway 50 through Nevada, with 85 miles between water. “I realize now why they call it The Loneliest Road in America” Zane said.

They ate mostly at small diners, roadside bars or cooked for themselves; but adding to the challenge, both adhere to a vegetarian diet - incredibly difficult in the mid-west where a majority of meals are meat-based. Subsisting on granola bars, peanut butter, bagels and pancakes, they were always hungry - it was hard to intake the 4,000-5,000 calories per day Zane estimated they were burning. At night they stayed in City parks, or were invited to pitch their tent in people’s backyards. The generosity and warmth of strangers was the most amazing thing about the trip according to Zane - offers of a place to stay or something to eat were plentiful.

Despite the abundant hospitality, not knowing where they would stay or sleep every night still left them feeling vulnerable and exposed the whole trip. Due to fatigue and the Appalachian Mountains, the last 4 days were especially challenging: having booked their return flight before leaving, the pair weren’t even sure they would make it to the airport on time. But make it they did – 41 days, 11 flats, 1 pair of shorts and 5 tires later they rolled into our nation’s capital - almost 90 miles a day with not 1 day off! In looking back, Zane said overcoming self-doubt and uncertainty were the biggest rewards of the trip. To other would-be transcontinental riders he quipped: “If you want to do it that fast, be prepared to be uncomfortable”.

Labels: cycling, members, Sacramento Pipeworks

On September 11 after fixing lines, Touchstone members Humberto Marquez, Paul Hara and Ironworks member Bob Boggs, started climbing the Lurking Fear route on El Capitan. The were armed with lots of pre-climbing beta from Touchstone instructor and world class climber Hans Florine plus logistical support (Sherpa duty!) from gym members Margaret Hara, Leo Bates, Ironworks member Leo Burk, and others.

The trio was hoping to climb the route in 3 days with enough emergency provisions for 4. The climb actually took 6 continuous days, including the rappel down. "Bob got real sick the first day and had to go back down. After that, it was tough going. When Bob went down, so did our engineering brain" said Paul. "During the third day Humberto and I considered going down because we were moving so slowly and the top was so far away, but we decided to see how high we could get with our remaining provisions and energy".

The pair finally reached their goal of Thanksgiving Ledge at sunset of the 5th day. Humberto said "Its a beautiful, big ledge with a small cave with a sandy floor. By far the best bivy of the whole climb."

What's next for the pair? They're setting their sights on The Nose route of El Capitan. According to Humberto, "If we can climb a little bit faster, we just might make it!".

Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, climbing, concord, Diablo Rock Gym, El Capitan, Hans Florine, members, The Nose

During the month of October, the artwork of Touchstone San Jose member, Alex Matus, will be featured at The Hide Gallery in downtown Santa Cruz. A recent graduate of UC Santa Cruz, Alex’s work fuses her influences from punk rock music and Eastern Art with the beauty of anatomy and the human form in a unique “East-meets-West” fashion.

Alex’s prints will be on display and for sale at The Hide Gallery until October 28th. Located on 131 B Front Street in downtown Santa Cruz, The Hide Gallery is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11am – 9pm. For more information, contact The Hide Gallery at 831-621-3939 or visit them at hidegallery.com.

Labels: members, san jose

Sacramento Pipeworks member Harlan Reymont first started climbing at Utah's Little Cottonwood Canyon around 1976 while still in high school. After a time, by his own admission he "fell in with the wrong crowd", started drinking and smoking cigarettes, ultimately giving up on climbing. He didn't pursue a healthier lifestyle until 5 years ago while assisting his father after open heart surgery. Witnessing the effect an unhealthy lifestyle had on his father prompted Harlan to realize he had to give up smoking or eventually face the same consequences.

Quitting cigarettes took a few tries, but after he finally shook the habit a friend told him about Pipeworks. One day 4 years ago he walked into the gym, ended up joining the same day - and has been coming regularly ever since. Initially he only came to Pipeworks for the climbing, but after a trip up Mt. Whitney someone challenged him to run a marathon. Harlan was ready for the test, so he bought a 'how to train for a marathon' book, ran for 4 months and recently finished The San Francisco Marathon in under 5 hours. Harlan is pictured above at the end of that race with his wife of 19 years, Kris.

After a week long break from running he is already training for Sacramento's California International Marathon held in December. At the CIM he will be running to raise funds for Organs Are Us, an organization promoting awareness for organ donors, and this time he wants to finish the 26.2 miles in less than 4 hours. For donation information you can contact Harlan at turnedart@msn.com. We congratulate Harlan for his marathon success, but more importantly for showing the rest of us that it is possible to make huge changes in life via fitness!

Labels: fitness, members, Sacramento Pipeworks

Ethan Pringle, who grew up climbing at Mission Cliffs, has gone on to become one of the world’s hottest climbers. Ethan who grew up only a couple blocks from Mission Cliffs, started climbing in his early teens at the gym.

On Sept. 5th, Ethan became only the 5th person to ascend Realization, a route in Ceuse, France established by Chris Sharma. The route was considered at least a 5.15a – perhaps harder, although when Ethan finished the route, he put it at 14d.

"That's our boy", head routesetter Craig McClenahan stated after hearing of Ethan's send. Craig went on in jest to say "A 15a in France is a 14c in California."

The wall it is on overhangs at an absurd angle and the route stretches for over 100 feet. Redpointing the route requires technical sequences, raw power, and extraordinary crimp strength.

Pringle probably spent less time working out the moves on Realization than the four people who redpointed it before him.

For more info, see:

http://www.climbing.com/news/hotflashes/pringlerealization/

http://www.bigupproductions.blogspot.com/

Labels: Chris Sharma, climbing, Craig McClenahan, Ethan Pringle, members

Aug. 20 - 24, 2007 several Touchstone members (Bruce Berg, Dan Brekke, Jaime Grant, Marty Kaplan, and Elmar Stefke) participated in the 16th Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) randonneuring bike event. Much like the Olympics this grand spectacle is held every four years and predates the Tour de France. Cyclists must successfully complete a timed series of rides called brevets, covering distances of 200K, 300K, 400K, and 600K in order to qualify for PBP, which covers a distance of 1200K (actual distance 1227K or 763mi) and over 30,000' of climbing in less than 80, 84, or 90 hours (participants chose their starting time/time limit).

This year's PBP turned out to be tougher than usual. Daily rain and wind combined to make things miserable for many of the 5300 riders from around the globe and the number of abandons exceeded that of previous years, including many 'anciens,' previous PBP finishers. The event was truly unique and spectacular, heading over rollers through green fields and quaint villages out to Brest on the Atlantic and back much the same way. Trying to stretch fifty French words into a conversation that would pass time for hours, staving off boredom and exhaustion in the dark and rain. Sitting in pacelines with a handful of foreign riders who hadn't slept much for several days. Was that "to your left" in Danish? Finally the French along the road, who proved to be unparalleled cycling enthusiasts, constantly clapping, cheering, and urging the riders forward, even in the pouring rain and early morning hours. 'Bon Courage, Bon Route, Bon Chance!'

Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, cycling, members

This coming August 10th and 11th, three members of San Jose’s bouldering community, Citahbria “Tofu” Richards (aka Tobi), Lilly “LilBit” Nguyen, and staff member Michael Abell, will be competing in the Mammut-EMS Bouldering Championships and Citizens’ Comp at The Front Climbing Club in Salt Lake City, Utah. Formerly known as Send Fest, the Mammut-EMS Bouldering Championships and Citizens’ Comp draws in some of the best climbers from across the nation to compete for a $5,000 cash prize.

Analogous to the three Musketeers, Tobi, Lilly, and Mike are often taken as an inseparable unit. Recently, the they took a trip to Squamish, B.C. to boulder, and quickly dispensed of classic lines such as Squamish Days, Cutting Edge, Superfly, and Sloppy Poppy, as well as harder and more striking lines such as Worm World, Tatonka, and Sesame Street. The trio of San Jose climbers are psyched to take their renewed motivation, strength, and energy indoors to do well and have fun at the comp.

The South Bay wishes Tobi, Lilly, and Mike all the best in their travels and competition in Utah!

Labels: climbing, comps, members, san jose

Sacramento Pipeworks member Stacy Epstein writes: “I have been climbing at Pipeworks for probably almost 4 years - I think I've been a member for around 3.5 years now. I can't believe how long it's been. Anyway, I just wanted to send you a small story about how Pipeworks has affected my life:

When I moved back to the Sacramento area after law school, most of my friends were no longer around, so I posted an ad on craigslist to meet people to climb with, and that's how I started making friends. One day, I met my friends at the gym and one of them introduced me to Loris Degioanni, a Ph.D student at UC Davis visiting on a 6-month visa from Italy and a former climbing instructor. That was a little over three years ago.

Last month we got married! My sister, who also climbs at Pipeworks, bought us the cake-topper.

Thanks for having such a big impact on my life!”

The staff at Pipeworks extends these two special newlyweds our very best wishes!

Labels: members, Sacramento Pipeworks

Galen Burgett, a Class 5 member since 1999, passed away at the beginning of July from Cancer. From all of us who knew him, climbed with him or were the lucky recipients of his Christmas goodies, we wish his family well and much love.

There is a celebration of Galens’ life August 12:
Galen Burgett 5/10/58 – 7/2/07 Galen passionately embraced the gift of every new day and lived each one to the fullest. There is no better way to honor his memory than to follow his example and celebrate with all of those who loved him.

August 12, 2007 12-4pm at
Cline Cellars 24737 Arnold Drive (highway 121) Sonoma

No black please.

Labels: class 5, members

It's almost a wrap for the USA Climbing season, so Concord members Evan Cronin, Gregor Peirce, Troy Gibb, Scott Cory, Gabe Matson and Wes Miraglio (not pictured) made the trek to Portland, Oregon for Divisionals. All did well in their categories, with Scott, Gabe, Gregor and Troy climbing well enough to be invited to Nationals taking place in Ann Arbor, Michigan on July 6-8. It's great to have this group of teens representing Touchstone! We want to with them the best of luck this weekend in Michigan.

Picture by Tom Cronin.

Labels: climbing, comps, concord, Diablo Rock Gym, kids, members, Scott Cory

A while ago, long-time Sacramento Pipeworks bike club member Kent “Touchstone Man” Gillis was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder that would ultimately prevent him from riding conventional 2 wheeled bicycles. Never one to give up easily, Kent began looking for alternatives to the 2 wheeled machines and soon purchased a custom-built 3 wheeled hand cycle. He knew it would take months of training to pack enough muscle onto his upper body to propel himself forward using only arm strength, but that thought just made him train harder. Eventually he decided it was time to try his hand at racing, with his first foray taking place recently at the Truckee Criterium. The hand bike race, a fairly flat .8-mile circuit around downtown, was the warm-up act to the pro criterium, so there were quite a few enthusiastic spectators lining the streets. Kent describes the race: “...gnarly crash right in front of me on the very first turn, two bikes got together and one guy splashed on the pavement....welcome to crit racing! I hit 21.5mph on the slight downhill back-stretch, followed by a hard right-hander executed on two wheels (NOT intentionally). The rest is a blur, but I think I did seven laps, came in 6th place and was lapped by the winner twice.” Kent got to do it all over again the next day in downtown Reno on a longer circuit that had a short arm-crushing climb. More spectators, more speed and more fun.

“Unfortunately, the downhill to the start/finish line was into an insane headwind, so what should have been a 35mph screamer was only 25mph” Kent remarked. “I was more relaxed this time, being a veteran racer and all, and enjoyed the experience more, but was toast by the end. This time around I finished 7th and was lapped once.”

Everyone in the Sacramento Pipeworks Bike Club looks forward to watching Kent flash by in his Touchstone jersey at the next hand bike criterium!

Labels: cycling, members, Sacramento Pipeworks, Touchstone Bike Club

If you thought San Jose was simply about pebble wrestling, well, think again! This July, Touchstone San Jose member Erika Smith will be climbing Mt. Shasta, a 14,169-foot volcano in Northern California. Her climb will have additional meaning though, as Erika has joined with Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping urban youth venture outdoors. To prepare for her trip, Erika is raising money to help get more kids and young adults outdoors to experience the power and beauty of nature first-hand. Having served over 4,700 youth since 1999, taking them safely out on multi-day hikes, camping, and backpacking trips.

We wish Erika good luck with her training and preparation to reach her goals this July!

Labels: community, members, san jose

An original member of Mission Cliffs, Roger Erickson and his wife went on a photo safari to Kenya and Tanzania in August and September of 2006. They visited nine game reserves and national parks in two African countries. They landed in Nairobi, Kenya on August 26, and headed north on the safari the next day. The second day they visited a Masai village. The village was typical for the Masai in Kenya where the people live in mud and cow dung huts way out in the game reserve far from anyone. They were greeted by the chief of the tribe and his people. The translator for the tribe was Samuel, “little did I know then, that I was to sponsor him in the future”, recalls Roger. He could speak English pretty well and told Roger he was attending secondary school at that time.

They spent several hours in the village and got to learn how the Masai live. They are primarily cattle and goat herders. They subsist mainly on beef from the cows and meat from the goats. They use everything from the cow. They drink the milk and eat the meat, but they also use the cow hides for the covering of their beds, which are made up of twigs lying on the floor. The dung is used to plaster the walls which are also made of twigs weaved together. They also use some of the cow's blood to mix with milk for special ceremonies.

The men of the tribe are all fairly tall, around six feet, and are very slender. Probably would make great climbers. The women are also very slender and athletic looking. The women do all of the cooking, house keeping, rearing the children and even build the round huts that the family lives in. The men are responsible for providing the food and protection of the tribe. These people get by on practically nothing. Their huts have no heat, water, lighting or plumbing as we know it. They have to travel about a mile to the river to get water and they cook over fires made primarily from dried dung. Toilet facilities are the nearest bush several yards away from the village compound. The village is surrounded by woven together brush to keep wild animals like lions, etc. from entering.

There tribal dress is very colorful. They use the color red a lot because lions don't like it. Both the men and women wear sort of a sari. They all usually wear no shoes. “It's a tough life style to say the least. Makes me think how lucky we are in our society. Everything we throw away they would love to have. The Masai are very friendly and courteous people. They are very humble and thankful for anything they receive.” Roger recounts.

In February, Roger received a call one morning while having breakfast. It was his friend Samuel. He asked Roger if it would be possible to put together a sponsorship for him in Hotel and Catering Management at Zetech College in Nairobi, Kenya. He was surprised to say the least. So, Roger then went on the internet and looked up the school to find out if it was legitimate. “I have a Canadian friend that lived in Kenya for over ten years and I called him to find out how to help Samuel and to make sure I wasn't the victim of a scam. My friend told me to contact the college directly and find out if Samuel has indeed applied to enroll and what the costs would be.” says Roger. They emailed him the information and a bank account for the school that would handle the funds. “The school is very strict and only dispenses the money with my consent. One doesn't like to be distrustful but you also have to be careful. There are ripoff artists all over the world.” says, Roger.

Everything worked out fine and Samuel is now living in a college hostel in Nairobi and attending classes. He emails Roger everyday and calls often by using an internet phone service. “He likes what he is studying and is to say the least, extremely grateful for the opportunity to receive an education. He will be the first in his tribe to ever attend college.” says Roger.

We asked Roger how it changed his life, “I think that when I visited these people in their own environment and saw what they didn't have or probably never will have, it made a deep impression on me. I thought if I could assist in the education of one of their tribe that at least one of them would have a chance to break out of the circle of poverty. This young man, he is twenty one, is very motivated and doesn't have to be asked to study. He is studying very hard. They attend classes eight hours a day, five days a week. He should be able to get a good job in the hospitality industry after graduating from this two year course. Tourism is big in Kenya and getting larger all the time, so his education will give him a great advantage.”

Labels: members, mission cliffs

For those who know him, Mission Cliffs long time employee, Frank Faraguna is making the ultimate sacrifice… not coming to the gym for an entire month!! Why? Well…

Frank will be an organ donor for his niece. Frank’s niece in Boston, has been living with a failing kidney. Three years ago, Frank discovered that he was a donor match. Since that time, he has been waiting for ‘the call’. When he received the call, his first reaction was ‘when should I be there’. He left this past Tuesday and will be joined by his wife Julie, and is expected to spend a week recovering in the hospital after the surgery. We are all extremely proud of Frank’s selfless resolve and wish him a speedy recovery.

Frank emailed us and said that he’s trying not to think about the surgery and that he has great Red Sox tickets and will wear his Giants hat –hoping that he won’t get jumped!

Labels: members, mission cliffs

It began three years ago when Justin and Shaun first laid eyes on someone walking along a taunt line of webbing spanning thirty feet across the gym. "It looked amazing," says the 24-year old Shaun. Now, each Monday morning you can find the two of them on the slack line, which Shaun describes as a "tight rope with one inch webbing."

They come to the gym to climb, but more importantly, to practice some moves on the slack line. Their only access to one is at Touchstone Concord. "It's a separate sport in itself," says Shaun, who admits that slack lining has improved his top-rope climbing abilities. "It improves balance and body awareness."

Shaun's favorite trick on the slack line is a hand stand, which he can hold for several seconds before tumbling down onto a crash pad. Justin, however, prefers a daring front flip off the line and onto the floor. Please be advised: these are trained professionals.

Not really, but Shaun and Justin are amazing to watch, and they have been slack lining long enough to offer some tips if you're thinking about trying to walk the line. "Start small," says the 21-year old Justin. "You will get very frustrated in the beginning, but don't give up."

Labels: concord, Diablo Rock Gym, members

If you’re wondering about the dreadlocked guy who spins all the great music you hear at Pipeworks every Friday night, his name is Walker Townsend, AKA “DJ Wokstar”. 20 years ago he started spinning because he owned all the records that his friends wanted to hear, so they were constantly asking him to make mix tapes. He has been playing music professionally ever since. Walker moved from Hawaii to Sacramento 7 years ago and says he wants to play “songs that make people feel good”. Currently he plays Fultons underground in old Sacramento and has had a gig at The Blue Lamp for 4 years. Walkers favorite music genre are Reggae, Afro-Funk and Soul but he is best known for playing an array of music that is diverse enough to keep every music lover happy. He has been written up in articles for The Sacramento Bee and been featured in Spin Magazine as well. When asked why his spinning produces so much more energy in the gym than a pre-recorded CD he said “People react because they see me giving them something - putting forth an effort to make them feel good. It just makes people try to have a good time”. Aside from his interest in music, this 37 year old single father of 3 great boys is an avid climber and says that his goal is to climb Mt Everest.

To hear Walkers special blend of music, stop by the gym any Friday night after 7:30 or come to a climbing competition at Pipeworks where he will always be the one spinning tunes.

Labels: members, Sacramento Pipeworks

Ever thought of taking your climbing to the great outdoors? To get you started, you might want to consider joining a club such as the California Mountaineering Club. Touchstone Concord member Tom Cronin is the Bay Area Representative for the CMC.

The CMC started in the early 90’s after the Sierra Club stopped running trips above class 3 and Tom is their third Bay Area rep. This year Tom has scheduled a series of climbs for Northern California club members starting with smaller crags such as Phantom Spires. The climbs build in commitment through the season with Multi-day trips in later August and September. In the winter, ice climbing weekends in Lee Vining are the ticket.

Many of these trips are a little less about climbing and a lot about preparation, teamwork, and determination. If you are interested in the club, contact Tom at tombcronin@yahoo.com.

Labels: climbing, members

Touchstone gyms aren't just a great place to work out; they are also a great place to help out a worthy cause. Recently, Touchstone Concord helped out St. Jude's Children's Hospital and cancer research center by holding a fundraiser in February. All told, Touchstone Concord members donated and gathered $1327, to help this great cause. Members raised money by getting sponsored for routes climbed and hours spent working out. Additionally, many opened their hearts by opening their pocket books. If you have a group that is interested in having a fund raiser at Touchstone Concord, please contact the manager.

Labels: community, concord, Diablo Rock Gym, members

If you haven’t noticed, the walls behind the front desk have been changing to become a new photo gallery. Photography taken by two San Jose members, Hien Lam, a photographer by day and climber by night, and Simon Hale, San Jose’s resident Georgetown physicist, are on display. The artwork depicts various moments of a Bishop bouldering trip that occurred over New Year’s. Roughly 20 climbers composes of Touchstone San Jose Members, Staff, and local south bay boulderers made their way to the Eastside for a week-long bouldering trip. The trip was filled with hard climbing, warm campfires, toasted marshmallows, and great stories.

Labels: members, san jose

Now you can multitask like a champ at your favorite place. Class 5 has added wireless internet allowing you to access the internet from your laptop while you are at Class 5.

We aren’t suggesting that you have to bring your work with you, but it may make it easier to sneak out of the office for a quick workout. Now you can keep in touch or do your homework between bouldering sends.

Wireless is a big plus when planning climbing trips with your partners to find out which passes are open or the beta on that big wall. Now you can do it all at Class 5.

With the addition of wireless at Class 5, this means that all Touchstone gyms are now wireless. Just another service that Touchstone provides to create a unique fitness experience.

Labels: class 5, members

Long time member and friend of Mission Cliffs recently went missing in a diving accident this past Saturday off the northern California coast. Kawika, an underwater photographer and experienced diver, was on a solo dive trip from Eureka to Cape Mendocino and never returned. An extensive search was carried out by the Coast Guard that included aircraft, helicopters, motor lifeboats, and underwater divers. Despite many efforts to find Kawika, the search was called off at sunset on Monday.

Kawika attained an engineering degree from Harvard and a graduate degree from the School of Engineering at Stanford. Following graduate school, Kawika devoted more time to diving and underwater photography. Images from his many dives along the California Coast, Papua New Guinea, Isla del Coco and Hawaii can be viewed on his website www.coldwaterimages.com.

His family is hosting an informal gathering this Sunday, March 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 21 Teaberry Lane, Tiburon, Marin County, so Kawika's friends can gather in a casual manner to meet his family, share stories, poems, and photos.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Kawika and his family at this time.

Labels: members, mission cliffs

"I was falling off of a hard series of bouldering moves and couldn't seem to make headway. My partner insisted that the problem was that I wasn't thinking about my right elbow enough. Next try, I thought about my elbow as I moved. I got the problem. We dub this technique 'thought beta.'"

Labels: climbing, members, Sacramento Pipeworks

On Saturday, March 10th, approximately 20 Touchstone San Jose members ventured outside to the local South Bay bouldering spot, Castle Rock State Park, to break up the monotony of pulling on plastic with some good, old-fashioned sloper-slapping fun! Conditions were prime, as over half the group visited the park and climbed outside for the first time. Both staff and experienced members assisted the newer climbers in climbing, spotting, outdoor etiquette and the “No Trace” Ethic. At the end of the day, members got a renewed sense of bouldering’s roots, as well as the spirit of climbing and a greater sense of community.

Labels: climbing, members, san jose

Touchstone Concord and Team Fuego members Gregor Peirce, Gabe Matson, Evan Cronin and Wes Mirgalio traveled to Timonium, Maryland to compete in the ABS 8 National Championships that took place February 16-18. All four boys train with Coach Yuki Uemora for Team Fuego and were excited to be heading to their first National-level competition. Scott Cory and Troy Gibb, also from Touchstone Concord, attended the event with their team, Zero Gravity.

Despite this being Gregor's first on-site format competition, he took first in his division, Youth B (14-15 year olds), a truly impressive accomplishment. The rest of the Touchstone crew also did well, with Gabe and Evan taking 19th and 29th respectively in Youth A. Wes placed 23rd in the Juniors' division and Troy took 7th in Youth B. Scott Cory fought through an ankle injury sustained in the qualifying round and still managed to place 8th in Youth A.

Gregor climbed perfectly in the qualifying round, flashing all four problems. He continued his streak of great climbing in the finals, flashing the first problem and getting the 2nd high point on problems number two and three. Troy reached the high point on problem number 3 and came within a hair of making it a 1-2 finish in their category.

On the female side, Dakota Schwartz, competing in the Youth C category, took 14th place. This category was won by Mission Cliffs Member Cicada Jenerik. All in all, a great performance by everyone from Touchstone Concord! We look forward to following these strong, young climbers in their future adventures.

You can also read more about these climbers in the Monday edition of the Contra Costa Times or online here.

Labels: Cicada Jenerik, climbing, comps, concord, Diablo Rock Gym, members, Scott Cory, Zero Gravity

Let's give a hand to those inspiring people, who, no matter how busy and chaotic life becomes, still make their health and fitness a priority. We at Touchstone Concord would like to acknowledge the top five users of our club: Joan Skilling, Susan Puetz, Kathleen Osmond, Erin Halonen and James Steinhauser. All five of these folks made it to the gym more than 50% of the days in 2006! For nabbing the #1 spot, Joan will receive one free month of membership and a logo sweatshirt to wear post-workout.

Keeping yourself fit has many benefits. Not only does exercise help protect against many diseases and make you more productive at work, but it can reduce stress and give you a more positive outlook on life. Who couldn't use more of that? And with climbing being such a fun way to get and stay in shape, staying true to your New Year's resolutions has never been easier.

Labels: concord, Diablo Rock Gym, members