We don’t need to extol the many, many virtues of climbing around Bishop, CA here—this desert mecca of gorgeous granite and volcanic rock has been attracting climbers from all over the world for decades. But with great climbing comes great responsibility, and our favorite areas are getting loved to death. That’s why we’re excited to […]
By Ryan Moon. All photos by Calder Davey. Stew•ard•ship (Noun) The job of supervising or taking care of something, such as an organization or property. “Responsible stewardship of our public lands.” As lovers of the outdoors and people who feel deeply connected to the spaces in which we recreate, we at Touchstone are always […]
You’ve heard it before: our outdoor spaces are getting loved to death. From erosion and social trails to littering and illegal fires, it’s a simple fact that the more people visit a place, the higher impact our presence will be. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Bishop, the small Eastern Sierra town with world-class […]
Below the southern reaches of Crowley Lake, between Highway 395 and the northernmost portion of the Owen’s River Gorge, a series of well-kept forest service roads lead into the remarkable landscape of the Sherwin Plateau. Almost all of the profoundly featured volcanic rock on the plateau appears to be climbable, and much of it has […]
The Access Fund’s Jeep Conservation Team is headed to Bishop, California! The Jeep Conservation Team is the Access Fund’s “on-the-road” team of climbing area stewards. They travel around the US, 10 months a year, assessing climbing area conservation and stewardship needs, working with locals to address these needs, training best management practices and motivating volunteers. You […]
By Jon Kennedy When planning a bouldering trip in June, climbers usually place Bishop last on their list of potential destinations. For those unfamiliar with Bishop climbing, it is a fall or winter destination if you want those optimal sending temps. I love the look you get when you mention you’re going to the Buttermilks […]
It’s summertime in Berkeley. I sit in the hot living room of my friend’s apartment, the overhead fan creates a weak breeze. We are watching Reel Rock 7, I’m missing Bishop like crazy and getting inspired and terrified by Alex Honnold’s first ascent of Too Big To Flail: a micro-crimpy, foot-work intensive highball in the Buttermilks. I […]
Published in Dead Point Magazine. Written by Anthony Lampomardo Touchstone Climbing is proud to support Ethan Pringle as an athlete and all around guy. We were elated and awed to see Steven Roth, a Touchstone coach, and Ethan claim the 3rd and 4th ascents of Alex Honnold’s highball Too Big to Flail in Bishop, California’s […]
Climbing involves more than just rocks. The areas we climb in are important too. Climbers can make a significant impact to help preserve the areas we climb in. On October 31st, the Bureau of Land Management reported that vandals removed four petroglyphs from a sacred Paiute site in the Tablelands area of Bishop, California. The […]
Recently, Touchstone Climbing member and obsessive climber Jordan Shackelford traveled to the bouldering mecca of Bishop, California. Jordan sent the Touchstone blog a trip report of his winter bouldering excursion. I’m sure you’ve heard the name Jordan Shackelford before. When Ryan Moon made the first ascent of Gentleman’s Club in the Columbia Boulders, I spotted […]
