By Toshiko Shek. Last July, I got my 15th tattoo of a mountain range on the back of my forearm; little did I know it would also foreshadow my life two months later when I started rock climbing. I remember the first time I stepped foot into a climbing gym: It was nearly three years […]
By Mailee Hung. Buying a new pair climbing shoes is often as daunting as it is exciting. Whether you’re buying your very first pair or looking for the perfect shoe for your project, there can be a lot of pressure to make the right choice—and that’s especially difficult given the sheer number of shoes to […]
At Touchstone Climbing gyms, we’ve worked hard to build a network of climbing clinics that help our beloved members and guests reach their climbing goals. Each clinic falls into one of three tracks: Bouldering, Rope Climbing, and Outdoor Climbing. They can either be taken in order to build a solid progression of knowledge, or sporadically […]
If you’re one of the very few people who don’t obsessively refresh the Cliffs of Id Instagram, you might have missed the most exciting development in L.A.’s climbing history: the grand opening of our state-of-the-art rope walls! Coinciding with our Touchstone Climbing Series competition finale, our ropes section opening hosted hundreds of psyched climbers […]
By Mailee Hung. I find myself continually fascinated by how many cool people I meet through climbing. I’ve met surgeons, artists, accountants, rope access workers, welders, baristas, and, yes, of course, fun-employed dirtbags. It’s amazing to me that, despite the wide variety of backgrounds and range of experiences climbers come from, they always feel like […]
In between wicked sends and sick gains at the gym, NOTHING says “I’m awesome and I care about the people around me” like good ol’ fashioned etiquette. Whether you’re new to the gym and don’t want to look like a n00b, or are an experienced plastic crusher…. WATCH THIS VIDEO! You’ll find helpful tips for […]
I wrapped my left thumb and index finger around the razor-sharp, Buttermilk gaston and pulled up onto my right foot. Nope. That’s not the move. With a thud, I’m back on the pad. Cursing, I notice an aching pain in my left index finger. Split…. Badly. My first day in the high desert is off […]
Check out this video to pick up tricks on finishing your project! Joe Kinder is teaching Advanced Lead at Berkeley Ironworks on Friday, January 29th at 7pm. This clinic is designed to provide you with the tools necessary for redpointing climbs at your limit. Don’t fall into the same bad habits, or miss out on this […]
Work is a four-letter word. But…without that hard earned cash, funding your next climbing trip would be impossible. There are many jobs that lend themselves to the climbing lifestyle. Career options vary from riggers to doctors to social media workers. There are lots of good trade options for climbers. We spoke with a few serious climbers to […]
Do you long for the sharp end? Do you wake up in the middle of the night thinking, “How do I learn to lead climb?” We’ve got you covered. This is THE class for individuals interested in entering the exciting world of lead climbing! Due to all the material we cover, we’ve broken the class […]
