The Touchstone community fosters a number of great projects from climbers. Recently, Andrea Jensen started Beyond the 100th, a company that produces climbing chalk bags.
Jensen, a seven year veteran at Berkeley Ironworks, climber began making the unique style of Beyond the 100th chalkbags in early 2013.
Using material from old synthetic and down jackets, Jensen sews together stylish and functional chalk bags. “I wanted to have a unique style and just happen to wear puffy coats,” said Jensen. “I garnered feedback from a few friends who are designers for outdoor clothing companies and they loved the idea
The locally crafted bags have gathered a solid following in the Bay area climbing community with climbers in the south and north part of the bay climbing at Cosumnes River Gorge, Castle Rock and across the state with the bags. Jensen has been able to see her hard work in action. “Its a proud moment knowing that I took an idea and saw my idea through the design,” said Jensen, “sourcing of all the materials and finding someone that could sew the bags locally for me! It’s been a lot of fun, but a lot of work “
Beyond the 100th refers to beyond the 100th meridian or longitude. “This signifies the American West and where we find adventure in the outdoors,” said Jensen. “Coincidentally this is also the name of a Wallace Stegner book about John Wesley Powell’s trek down the Colorado River.”
The bags area available through Beyond the 100th Facebook page where she posts pictures of the bags in action.
