Touchstone Climbing's NEW Forums!
Here's a quick note to let you all know that we did a complete redesign and overhaul of our message board and forums. It's always been a great place for everyone to get together and discuss just about anything you could possibly imagine when it comes to climbing, gear, routes and locations. Now, it's gotten even better and easier to use.

So, head over and check out our new Touchstone Climbing Forums & Message Board; you can do everything from buy and sell used and new gear, find road trip partners, climbing partners, talk about Yoga and Training as well as check up on both the Cycling news and our Running Club.

Check it out, sign up, and start joining the conversations!

Labels: Climbing News, Forums, Message Board, Touchstone Climbing, Upgrade

  ¶ Monday, March 09, 2009 0 Comments

  New Women's Clinic @ Berkely Ironworks
Here's a heads up for an event that is sure to fill up fast, so the sooner you sign up, the better. Katie Brown, author of the instructional book Girl on the Rocks and also one of our very own Berkeley Ironworks desk staff, is going to be teaching a women's clinic on Sunday, February 22 from 6-8pm.

You can sign up at the front desk at Berkeley Ironworks and we really do encourage you to do it soon as space is pretty limited. The two hour clinic will cost $35.

Here is a little bit about her book, we hope to see you all at the Clinic:

"For women intrigued by the sport of climbing but intimidated by its male dominance and stereotype as “extreme,” Girl on the Rocks is a monumental and essential resource, providing instructions on technique, strength, and mental agility—from a woman’s perspective.

Through the sage advice of one of the world’s foremost female climbers and the lens of an internationally acclaimed photographer, women learn that climbing is more fun than dangerous, that overcoming fear can boost self-esteem, and that the fitness benefits are tremendous. Most women learn climbing from men, but the sport is different for a woman—both physically and psychologically—and it is empowering for women to learn about climbing from “girls” who’ve been on the rocks themselves. Bringing the sport to life alongside the book’s numerous color photos, Katie Brown’s interviews w ith female climbers—from a young girl to a sixty-something professional climber—reveal, on a more intimate level, what the sport has done for them."

Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, Climbing News, Clinic, Events, fitness, Katie Brown, Physical exercise, Women's Clinic

  ¶ Wednesday, February 11, 2009 0 Comments

  Sacramento Pipeworks News!
Just got some awesome news in from Sacramento Pipeworks that I thought I should share with all of you. We're so proud of each and every one of our amazing gyms, so when we get in little tidbits and information that we can share with all of you, it makes me a very happy fella.

That said, thanks to Vaughn over at Sacramento Pipeworks, here's what has been going down in their neck of the woods as of late:

"For the 4th year in a row, members of the Sacramento Pipeworks bike club recently organized a relay team to run in The California International Marathon. Scott Clark, Tina Moore, Nicole Dolney and Pipeworks manager Vaughn Medford each ran a leg of 5.7 to 7.6 miles. The team covered the 26.2 mile marathon distance in 3 hours and 32 minutes, placing 27th out of 223 teams in the coed division, and 111th against all relay teams (over 700). Not bad for people who consider themselves cyclists! Also worth noting is bike club member Kent Gillis’ smoking 2nd place finish in the hand bike division, finally nailing his goal of a sub-2 hour marathon, coming in at a very speedy 1 hour and 56 minutes."

Congratulations guys! So impressive. Feel free to head over and check out Sacramento Pipeworks, if you're in the area, there are few better things you could do for your health, your life, and your mental well-being than joining up. Trust me, they are worth it. At any rate, keep up the amazing work, get your holiday shopping done on time, and have an amazing Holiday Season!

Labels: Climbing News, Marathon, Sacramento Pipeworks, Touchstone Climbing

  ¶ Monday, December 22, 2008 0 Comments

  Americans Climb Unclimbed Patagonia Peak
Hello and Happy Monday! The time between now and Christmas time is dwindling down and I couldn't be happier. You know what else makes me beyond happy? When I wake up and I find out that some American climbers bagged some awesome, previously unclimbed peak somewhere in the world. Turns out today was my lucky day as that is exactly what i woke up to.

According to some international news, two Americans, Dave Turner and Mark Matthews, did just that recently. The pair bagged what is being called the "first ascent of a small granite tower in the Paine region of Chilean Patagonia." The article I read said that "The two climbed Gemelo Alto in the French Valley, via a 10-pitch route called Adios Ayer (5.10-, 400m)."

Apparently, the whole reason for their expedition in the first place was to find a new solo route on the South Face of the South Tower of Paine. Looks like they bagged a first ascent too, how impressive can one trip get?! At any rate, to get a much more in-depth look at their climb and their expedition, head over here and check it out. We just wanted to throw out some serious Congratulations to both Dave Turner and Mark Matthews for their awesome first climb! Keep up the good work!

(Image from Dave Turner)

Labels: Climbing News, Dave Turner, First Ascent, First Climb, Mark Matthews, Patagonia

  ¶ Monday, December 15, 2008 0 Comments

  Cave Built With a Knife Saves Climber

I just read an article about a climber that literally saved his own life by digging a snow cave using nothing but a knife and a ball point pen. According to the article:

"He was unable to use his climbing axe which was buried under a metre of snow. With the tent buried under the snow, his friend had been unable to find his boots when he crawled out...Mr Hideaki said it took him hours to dig a small snow cave with a knife and ballpoint pen. After he managed to dig the cave he curled up in it. It was only big enough to partially protect both of them. His friend chose to remain outside two to three metres away in his sleeping bag where he could lie outstretched."

That decision would prove to be fatal for his climbing partner and guide. As they checked each other every few hours, finally they slept until sunrise at which point his partner did not wake. I can't imagine what he's going through right now, but the sheer fact that he literally saved himself using nothing more than his own pocket knife and a ball point pen shines so much light on the human spirit.

This accident took place in a location I am familiar with and have been to, Mt. Cook in New Zealand. We all wish you well Mr. Hideaki, and we applaud your spirit.

(Image via Pat Leahy on Flickr)

Labels: Aoraki/Mount Cook, climbing, Climbing News, New Zealand, Survival

  ¶ Thursday, December 11, 2008 0 Comments