Blog
Dogpatch Boulders Manager Justin Alarcon
For Justin Alarcon this fall has been a very good season. On October 27th, he married his long time love Becky Trafecanty. Then on October 29th, the Giants swept the world series. A week later, he went to Kalymnos, Greece for a honeymoon sport climbing trip. And upon his return, Touchstone announced that Alarcon had been…
Unlocking Jailhouse
Picture one of California’s best climbing areas. A place with nearly a hundred routes, that is climbable through rainy winter days, and features some of the most difficult climbing in the state. Now, imagine the access to that amazing crag was in trouble of being closed. For nearly 20 years, Jailhouse Rock has struggled with…
Type II Fun: Snake Dike with Cheyenne
On the weekend of November 11th, Studio desk staffer Cheyenne Sukalski and Thomas Gibson traveled to Yosemite National Park to climb the South Face of Half Dome via Snake Dike, a 5.7 friction climb. Cheyenne wrote a trip report about her ascent, which involved heavy amounts of Type II Fun. Type II Fun: Fun only…
Thanksgiving Hours
Thanksgiving came fast this year. For those looking to sneak in to the gym before and after the holiday meals, the times of the gyms have changed slightly. Diablo Rock Gym– Open November 22, Thanksgiving Day, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Berkeley Ironworks– Closed November 22, Thanksgiving Day Weekend hours on Friday, November…
Live Your Dream with the AAC
Have you ever dreamed of bouldering above sand on a gorgeous beach? Do you think of jamming your hands in a long desert splitter? Are your day dreams filled with visions of snowy far off mountains? The American Alpine Club along with Touchstone Climbing wants to make your dreams a reality with the Live Your…
Monica Aranda: BIW Staffer
For some, climbing is a hobby. For people like Monica Aranda, climbing is a passion. Monica, a 26 year old Berkeley Ironworks desk staffer, instructorer, graphic designer, and woman of all trades has worked for Touchstone for the past 7 years. She began climbing over 8 years ago when she joined a summer rock climbing…
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Night Climbing
Climbing at night can be unbelievably fun. The temps for climbing get better in the dark hours. Utilizing a headlamp means there is no exposure beyond the distance of the light. Also, climbers tend to keep it a little more light hearted when climbing at night. It’s just fun! To share in this nocturnal fun,…
Mission Cliffs Food Drive
The Holidays mean a time for visitng friends and family, spending time together. For some, the holidays spell hardship with the cold winter weather. To help those less fortunate, Mission Cliffs colloborates with the San Francisco Food Bank for an annual Food Drive. Donate at Mission Cliffs food box between now and November 19th and…
Training Drills for Climbing
Climbing requires a number of skills. One of the most important and an often overlooked facet skill set is balance. When climbing aretes, slabs, or vertical faces, having a good center of gravity and weight over your feet is crucial for success. In this video, a few British climbers demonstrate a great way to improve…
Extreme Slab Climbing
One of the best parts about rock climbing is that it is really fun. A few years ago, a pair of Quebecois climbers headed to the slabs in Squamish with plans to take their passion for climbing and skate boarding to the next level. Check out their exciting take on descending slabs.
Yosemite Slab Bouldering
One of the most important skills in rock climbing is learning to stand on your feet. Solid footwork and balance will help you climb the most difficult climbs around. Yosemite Valley, with its long low angle pieces of granite, provides a perfect place to practice slab climbing and working on your footwork. The Camp 4…
TBS 8 Friday at Ironworks
The Touchstone Bouldering Series Comps kick off this Friday evening at Berkeley Ironworks. In their 8th year, the TBS comps are some of the best climbing competitions in the United States. With free food, free beer sponsored by local breweries, and tons of awesome climbing, these comps offer an amazing chance to have fun with…