Staff Profile
Meet the Manager: Diane Ortega at Dogpatch Boulders
Diane Ortega has been with Touchstone since 2005, and got her start managing when she opened The Studio Climbing Gym with us in 2012. Now, she’s bringing everything she learned in San Jose to San Francisco. She loves running, lifting, and all things food-related—the next time you see her at the desk, ask her for…
Meet Pete Edwards, The Studio’s New Manager!
Look out San Jose, because The Studio has a new manager in town…and he’s not really new at all. If you haven’t met Pete yet, you probably haven’t been climbing at The Studio for very long! Pete’s been with us for over four years, working his way up from belay staff to desk staff; now,…
Where Are They Now? Past Staff Edition: Sean Wilkenfeld
By Jason Bove. True story: A job is far more enjoyable if you like to spend time with your coworkers. I have been lucky enough to say that I have and still do. Not too many careers give you the opportunity to spend days, weeks, months, and even years with good friends talking about something…
Meet the Manager: Holly Rock
We are happy to introduce our newest Commander in Chief of LA Boulders, Ms. Hooooollllyyyy ROCK! Holly is a familiar face around Great Western Power Company in Oakland, and she has recently made the move down to Los Angeles to manage our original Southern California bouldering gym! We caught up with Holly to find out what…
Better Know a Setter: Kat Gentry
Routesetter Kat Gentry is back in action this summer, setting boulder problems and routes at Touchstone Climbing Gyms around the Bay Area. Kat grew up at the gym, first as a competitive youth climber and then as a routesetter. We caught up with Kat to talk about how her routesetting style has changed, her climbing projects,…
Staff Profile: Art Balaoro
Front Desk Staff, Climbing Instructor, Youth Team Coach, Gym Manager, Route Setter, Assistant Route Setter, Head Route Setter…what do all these illustrious titles have in common? One man: Art Balaoro! Most recently, Art has taken on the challenge of Route Setting Foreman at The Studio. So what are his plans for our spunky little gym?…
Meet Cliffs of Id Manager Remi Moehring
We’re happy to announce that Remi Moehring will be managing our newest gym in Culver City, the Cliffs of Id. Remi got her start with Touchstone Climbing at Mission Cliffs in San Francisco and has been managing LA Boulders for the past two years. We caught up with Remi to find out a bit more about our…
What Ever Happened To..? Emily Dionne
Who are you? I’m Emily Dionne! When did you work at Diablo Rock Gym? I think I started around 2009. I worked full time for DRG until 2013 when Grad School got in the way! I continued to help out until I moved to Oregon last year. What is your favorite memory of working at DRG? I loved…
Where Are They Now? Zenohe “Z” Mora
As we draw closer to celebrating Touchstone’s 20th Anniversary, we’re taking a walk down memory lane and running to old staff members! Our staff is the bread and butter of our company, and while we’re always sad to see them go, it’s so fun to see what they’re up to these days! Who are you?…
Member of the Month: Marissa Treece
Have YOU still found yourself wanting to get in better shape and try CrossFit, but not doing so for one reason or another? Have you waited for some kind of inspiration to find you first? Well, WAIT NO LONGER! Perhaps, our October member of the month, Marissa Treece, can inspire all of us to personally…
Better Know a Setter: Jeremy Ho
They’re up with the sun, chain coffee-drinking and working hard to bring you the routes you love to send, project, and crush. ‘Touchstone Routesetting’ is an industry term for excellence, and each member of the crew brings a little somethin’ somethin’ to the team. In our ongoing segment, Better Know a Setter, we bring you…
Staff Profile: Ryan Rougeux
Sacramento is abuzz with chatter about the Touchstone Climbing Series coming to town TOMORROW, February 21st. At which time, we will all revel in excitement as we merrily eat, drink, adorn new T-shirts, and climb new routes! What you may not remember as you are enjoying all of these things this weekend, is the hard…