Touchstone Blog Archive
Friday, April 1, 2011
Touchstone Climber Crushes Mortar
Last week, Brian "Cuz" Hedrick, a 24 year old route setter at Touchstone Climbing, made the second ascent of the Impossible Wall Traverse at Berkeley's Mortar Rock. First established by Chris Sharma seven years ago, the V13 problem has bouted many of the strongest local climbers.
The hardest boulder problem within a 100 miles of the bay starts on an obvious jug in the middle of the face and traverses right into the Impossible Wall (v8). "It's big moves on bad holds," says Hedrick, who sent the line after working it seven days over two years.
"It's like Cresiano but better," says Ethan Pringle, a 24 year old professional climber from San Francisco, of Mortar Rock. One of the only boulders in the Berkeley hills, Mortar Rock hosts a number of problems, and eliminates. John Sherman, Scott Frye, and Nat Smale began bouldering in the area in 1976, establishing the classic Nat's Traverse (V8) and developing the V-scale at the urban crag.
A line linking Nat's to the Impossible Wall traverse remains a 5.15/V14 project for future Mortar Rock addicts. Hedrick maintains that he won't be heading back to Mortar anytime soon.
There's been more Mortar action as well. Check out Alton Richardson's new Sunshine Eliminate (v9).
With the good weather, Mortar will be great. Head up there and check it out!
The hardest boulder problem within a 100 miles of the bay starts on an obvious jug in the middle of the face and traverses right into the Impossible Wall (v8). "It's big moves on bad holds," says Hedrick, who sent the line after working it seven days over two years.
"It's like Cresiano but better," says Ethan Pringle, a 24 year old professional climber from San Francisco, of Mortar Rock. One of the only boulders in the Berkeley hills, Mortar Rock hosts a number of problems, and eliminates. John Sherman, Scott Frye, and Nat Smale began bouldering in the area in 1976, establishing the classic Nat's Traverse (V8) and developing the V-scale at the urban crag.
A line linking Nat's to the Impossible Wall traverse remains a 5.15/V14 project for future Mortar Rock addicts. Hedrick maintains that he won't be heading back to Mortar anytime soon.
The Impossible Traverse from ByronWolter on Vimeo.
There's been more Mortar action as well. Check out Alton Richardson's new Sunshine Eliminate (v9).
Sunshine Eliminate (V9) from Alton Richardson on Vimeo.
With the good weather, Mortar will be great. Head up there and check it out!
Labels: Brian Hedrick, Impossible Wall, Mortar Rock
¶ Friday, April 01, 2011 0 Comments
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Touchstone Staff and Members at Mortar Rock Thursday (tomorrow)
Come meet up with fellow members and some staff to climb in the Berkeley Hills. We'll start out at Indian Rock and move up to Mortar as the mood strikes. This Thursday (tomorrow) starting around 5:30PM. Bring a crashpad if you have it!
See the link for directions.
For those that need some motivation, check out this video of Rebecca Taggart, a Berkeley Ironworks climber, sending the V7 Mortar Rock Nat's Traverse.
See the link for directions.
For those that need some motivation, check out this video of Rebecca Taggart, a Berkeley Ironworks climber, sending the V7 Mortar Rock Nat's Traverse.
Nat's Traverse [v7] from Paul B on Vimeo.
Labels: Mortar Rock, Rebecca Taggart, Touchstone Staff climbing
¶ Wednesday, May 19, 2010 0 Comments
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Nat's Traverse
The cold temps might be the perfect time to go send the city bouldering project. For those that need some motivation, check out this video of Rebecca Taggart, a Berkeley Ironworks climber, sending the V7 Mortar Rock Nat's Traverse.
Nat's Traverse [v7] from Paul B on Vimeo.
Labels: Mortar Rock, Nat's Traverse, Rebecca Taggart
¶ Wednesday, November 18, 2009 0 Comments
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Berkeley Bouldering
Located in the Berkeley hills are two great bouldering spots- Mortar Rock and Indian Rock. These two areas feature a large number of classic problems on solid rock located just a few minutes drive from downtown Berkley.
The late evenings and early mornings have been pretty good at Mortar Rock. The sharp rock feels just a little bit cooler when the sun isn't around and classic problems like The Ramp (V4) Black Plague (V6) and the super popular Nat's Traverse (V8) can go down much easier.
Just down the road, Indian Rock has a great collection of moderate warm-ups and an assortment of V0-V3 boulder problems. Then when your tips are thrashed from all the bouldering, check out the great sunset over the bay from the top of Indian Rock.
An old video of Ken Azria hiking the classic Nat's Traverse.
For some video footage of the sit start to The Impossible Wall and New Wave check out this clip.
The late evenings and early mornings have been pretty good at Mortar Rock. The sharp rock feels just a little bit cooler when the sun isn't around and classic problems like The Ramp (V4) Black Plague (V6) and the super popular Nat's Traverse (V8) can go down much easier.
Just down the road, Indian Rock has a great collection of moderate warm-ups and an assortment of V0-V3 boulder problems. Then when your tips are thrashed from all the bouldering, check out the great sunset over the bay from the top of Indian Rock.
An old video of Ken Azria hiking the classic Nat's Traverse.
For some video footage of the sit start to The Impossible Wall and New Wave check out this clip.
Labels: Berkeley Bouldering, Indian Rock, Mortar Rock
¶ Sunday, July 26, 2009 0 Comments
