Blog
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to celebrate some of the folks who have contributed to our ever evolving and growing community. We asked some of our staff with Hispanic Heritage to tell us their story and share some of the lessons they’ve learned throughout the years. MONICA ARANDA Director of Member Services,…
Meet the Manager: Chris at Dogpatch Boulders
Chris Zeng started his Touchstone career at Dogpatch Boulders in October of 2016. We’re stoked to have him as the leader at one of the raddest Touchstone gyms. Keep reading to find out more about him and what he can talk about forever. Please tell us a little bit about your background! My parents immigrated…
Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Month
In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, we want to celebrate some of the folks who have contributed to our ever evolving and growing community. We asked some of our AAPI staff to tell us their story and share some of the lessons they’ve learned throughout the years. JEREMY YEE Diablo Rock Gym…
Meet the Manager: Justin Andrews at Cliffs of Id
Justin Andrews has been a Mission Cliffs member since 2011, and a superstar desk staffer and personal trainer there since 2015. Dancer, climber, and all-around badass, he’ll be taking the helm at Cliffs of Id in Culver City and we couldn’t be prouder! Get to know more about this fantastic human in this brief interview—and…
Meet the Manager: Remi at Pacific Pipe
Remi has managed not one, not two, but THREE Touchstone gyms. She started out her Touchstone journey as Mission Cliffs Desk Staff back in 2011. Moved down to LA in 2013 to manage LA Boulders, followed by managing Cliffs of Id. Now, she is moving back to the Bay to manage her biggest gym yet,…
Meet the Manager: Diane at Sacramento Pipeworks
Diane got a job at Pipeworks running Kid’s Summer Camp back in 2005. She only left Sacramento for a manager opportunity in San Jose at The Studio. You all already know and love her, and she’s BACK starting her new role as manager. After managing The Studio and Dogpatch Boulders, she’s ready to bring all…
Climbing and Creativity: The Secret Ingredient That Launched a New Career
Words + Photos by Leslie Kim. The very first time I went rock climbing was at a little gym in Southern California in 2003. We got a small group of friends together, and none of us had any real rock climbing experience. I didn’t rent shoes because I was probably trying to save money,…
Can I Climb on Wet Rock? A Guide to California Climbing After the Rain
Photos by Spencer Josif. Contrary to popular belief, it DOES rain in California. But once the weather has passed, the question remains: how soon can you get back on your project? Although the conversation around climbing after a rain is nuanced, the basic issue is that some of the most popular climbing areas around…
5 Ideas for Celebrating Black History Month
Though intentionally celebrating and recognizing the achievements of Black Americans and Black communities goes back much farther, Black History Month was institutionalized by The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, at first as Black History Week in 1924, and has been officially sanctioned by every sitting president of the United States…
California Climber: An Interview with Dean Fleming
Dean Fleming is one of our favorite people and the founder and and editor of one of our favorite magazines, California Climber. Once the youngest certified professional climbing guide in the country, he eventually combined his love of writing, photography, earth science, and rock climbing into a career of sharing his stoke and expertise through…
Getting Strong AF with Natasha Barnes
It’s no secret in the Touchstone community that if you want training advice of any kind or need help rehabbing an injury, Natasha Barnes is the one to ask. A chiropractor, ClinicalAthlete provider, Touchstone Athlete, competitive climber since 1999 and a competitive powerlifter with an elite total, Natasha knows a thing or three about effective…
Setter of Setters: Craig McClenahan Retires From Touchstone After 25 Years of Routesetting
By Justin Alarcon. It is with a mixture of melancholy and great pride we announce that our dedicated routesetter, former Head Routesetter and Head of Construction, and dear friend Craig McClenahan is retiring after 25 years of working with Touchstone. Craig has been climbing for over 40 years. He got his start in the…