The notion of community is rather nuanced. For most of us, we tend to think of our community as the people and places in close proximity to where we live and work. Another type of community might include friends and family, or others within our regular social circles. But Avram Pearlman and Marie Schwindler, […]
We’ve always loved Matt Ulery, from when he worked front desk at Berkeley Ironworks to his current position as part of the Touchstone retail staff. Matt has done so much for the climbing community by founding the Bay Area Climbers Coalition, and we are so proud to see him recognized in Climbing Magazine‘s “The Givers” […]
Yoga instructor Sandra has been with Berkeley Ironworks since its inception, and while we are sad to see her go, we are incredibly excited for her new adventure in Maui, Hawaii! Read on to reminisce with Sandra on her favorite memories at Ironworks. How and when did you start teaching yoga at Ironworks? I […]
As Fall approaches and we start gearing up for bouldering season, we wanted to take one last look back at our Woman Up Climbing Festival to carry its spirit with us into the future. Inspired by Flash Foxy’s Women’s Climbing Festival portraits, our photographer Kendra Wood set out to capture the faces of some of the incredible […]
Every climber should know, love, and support the Access Fund. As a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to environmental stewardship and access to our favorite outdoor places, they provide a crucial service to both climbers and the land. This year their work has been especially critical with initiatives like Climb the Hill, in which they and […]
Aim High is a free summer learning and enrichment program in Northern California who believe that all students deserve the chance to succeed. They work with middle school students in high-need communities who have limited options and have a multi-year program that includes academic and enrichment opportunities to prepare students for the transition to high […]
By Jason Bove. These days, it is rare to find a combination of both sweet and tough in a fellow human being. Jon is an earth-focused, spiritual individual that directs his energy toward being true to himself and the world with which he interacts. A student of Iroquois philosophy in a time when we struggle […]
At Touchstone Climbing we believe that climbing is for EVERYONE. We’re stoked to offer an adaptive program at Berkeley Ironworks in collaboration with Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program. If you know anyone with an impairment who has always wanted to try climbing but wasn’t sure if they could, send them our way! If you’re […]
By Zach Wright, Director and Head Coach of Team Touchstone Stepping out of the airport in Atlanta, the heat and humidity hits you like a punch in the face. As you walk outside, there’s a grace period of approximately 0.7 seconds during which you think, “Oh, it’s not that bad,” before you realize that yes, […]
Touchstone Climbing is excited to announce a proposed bouldering gym in the Oaks Theater building on Solano Avenue in North Berkeley, just down the hill from Indian and Mortar Rock. We love our East Bay community, and think that this could be an incredible opportunity to support both the growing population of climbers and […]
