For many climbers, scaling the granite monolith of El Capitan is a bucket list experience. For an elite few, free climbing El Capitan is the ultimate experience. However, free climbing El Capitan takes a colossal amount of work. Recently, two California climbers went to examine a steep free route on the right side of El […]
For those obsessed with climbing outside all the time, winter rock climbing can be amazing. Cold crisp conditions and lots of solitude are easy to find in the shorter months. While long routes may be out for the season, now is a perfect time for sport climbing or bouldering. The best way to climb during […]
Dogpatch Boulders desk staffer Alex recently injured himself while bouldering in Oregon. He took the time to write up an article for the Touchstone Blog about the accident, along with tips for smart climbing. When I heard, rather felt, the crack in my left ankle as it rolled sideways off the crash pad, I immediately […]
The short cold days of winter are here. For many climbers that means indoor training sessions. For an elite few, it means extraordinary epics. This winter, Colorado alpine climber Jesse Huey and his team of elite alpine climbers will journey to the roof of the world. “It’s visionary. It’s truly on the edge of what […]
The Leaning Tower rises ominously next to Yosemite’s Bridalveil Falls. Described by Royal Robbins as “The steepest wall in North America,” the West Face of the Leaning Tower was the site of an impressive 1961 ascent by Warren Harding and one of the first big wall solos by Royal Robbins a few years later. For […]
“You can have 15 minutes with the doctor, but only YOU know what is prescribed for your life.” Pipeworks Member of the Month: Larry KnappBy Jason Bove It is always a pleasure to write a story about someone who found a passion for the outdoors, and actively pursues it year round. I have a chance […]
On November 24th, a crew of Touchstone members and staff ran the Berkeley Half Marathon. The race followed a beautiful and scenic course through Berkeley and helped to raise funds fro Berkeley Public Schools Fund, Berkeley Food and Housing Project, and Berkeley Partner for Parks. Touchstone manager, Lyn Verinsky wrote a bit about the race […]
-Me: Wanna go out and try Endless Bummer with me this weekend?! -Potential Sport Climbing Partner: No thanks, that thing’s way too bouldery for me. -Potential Bouldering Partner: No thanks, sport climbing sucks. These were the conversations that were most popular when trying to try Endless Bummer out near Mickey’s Beach on the California coast. […]
When you ask Hans Florine what’s his favorite route in the world, the question is rhetorical. Hans Florine is Mr. Nose. With 100 ascents of the route up the longest section of El Capitan, Florine set the speed record on the formation with a blisteringly fast 2 hours 23 minutes 46 seconds. He’s also climbed […]
Chances are, without knowing it, you’ve climbed in an area that Access Fund has protected and kept accessible for climbers. With regionally significant successes as the Jailhouse Rock Conservation Easement of 2010, Access Fund has been hard at work keeping the gates open to our favorite crags. This is no easy task, and as with […]
