Touchstone Climbing Welcomes It's Newest "Mini-Member"
Today I have some great, non-climbing news to report to all of you. Looks like the Touchstone Climbing Staff just grew by 1! That's right, we welcomed into our ranks the newest mini-member exactly one week ago today!

One of our spinning instructors at Berkeley Ironworks, Becky Ackerman and her husband Fred welcomed in a healthy, happy baby boy, David Richard Kohne Ackerman on December 30. He weighed in at 6lbs 15oz and was 20 inches long.

Here is a brief recap courtesy of Fred:

Becky's water broke at 11:15 pm last night and at 4:21 am today David joined our family. Becky did an incredible job and amazed everybody in the triage, delivery and recovery rooms with her strength. She was handling the early contractions so well they all thought she wasn't very far along and would take way longer than the 5 hrs it did. Since both Becky and David are so healthy they let us leave at 6:30 pm. All three of us are glad to be home now and about to catch up on some sleep. For those Bay Area locals who've so generously expressed interest in helping with meals in the coming days and weeks, please contact our good friend Molly Nakahara who's organizing a meal calendar. Please email her at: maryemelda@gmail.com.

In short, congratulations from all of us here at Touchstone Climbing! We're so glad everyone is safe, healthy, happy and doing great! Now get him a harness and lets get him climbing!

Labels: Becky Ackerman, Berkeley Ironworks, New Baby, staff, Touchstone Climbing

  ¶ Tuesday, January 06, 2009 0 Comments

  Alaska This summer, Kelly McFarling took time off from Mission Cliffs to lead a wilderness trip for teenagers in the Talkeetna Mountain range of Alaska. She has been working for the outdoor adventure company Moondance Adventures, for the past four summers, and has been fortunate to lead trips all over the United States. The Alaska Trip this summer consisted of a 12 day backcountry alpine section that ended by rafting out on the Chikaloon River, and then spending 6 days kayaking the Prince William Sound. She was leading a group of 16-18 year olds from all over the United States. Alaska was an amazing experience for both her and her group, and Kelly hopes to continue working with teenagers, especially in backcountry settings.

Labels: mission cliffs, staff

  ¶ Thursday, September 18, 2008 0 Comments

  Granddude On May 1st, former Mission Cliffs & Touchstone Concord employee Avery McClenahan gave birth to her first child. 'Berkeley Vector' was born at 2:30pm and both mother and child are doing well and home from the hospital. Avery is in her final weeks at UC Berkeley where she is double majoring in economics and art history.

For those who may not know Avery, she is the daughter of head route setter Craig McClenahan. This is Craig's first grandchild but don't try and call him 'grandfather.' When asked, Craig said he is not a granddad but rather 'Granddude.'

All of us at Touchstone wish Avery and Berkeley all the best, as well as a huge congratulations to Craig on becoming a 'Granddude.'

Labels: concord, Craig McClenahan, Diablo Rock Gym, mission cliffs, staff

  ¶ Tuesday, May 06, 2008 0 Comments

  Fundraiser for Laila! Saturday, May 10th!
As some of you may know, in mid-April, Laila (Berkeley Ironworks staffer Tommy Halvorson's dog) fell from the top of Main Rock at Mickey’s Beach. Apparently she is made of rubber, escaping the 50-60 foot fall with only a broken leg. However, repairing her leg came with a very large price tag-around $8,000.

Luckily, Laila is a part of the Touchstone community and on Saturday, May 10 from 6-10pm, BIW is putting on a Bouldering Comp to raise money for the vet bills! That’s right, Bouldering for Laila! There will be free beer and hot dogs, prizes for the winner of each division, a raffle with some amazing prizes for climbers and non-climbers alike, music, climbing, all the things you have come to love from Touchstone Climbing comps. all the proceeds/donations go to helping this little girl get back to playing frisbee. We hope to see you there!!!

Labels: climbing, community, comps, staff

  ¶ Thursday, May 01, 2008 0 Comments

  Konichiwa from Japan Staff member Frank Faraguna's daughter Carla, a former Mission Cliffs belay staffer is pictured climbing strong on an indoor wall in Tokai, Japan located in Ibaraki prefecture . The 50' wall is part of a sports club, and while she did have fun, she let us know that she missed the walls at Mission Cliffs. If you look closely, you can see that Carla is a safe climber, sporting her Touchstone Climbing belay card. Way to represent!

Carla will soon complete her first year teaching english to middle and high school students with the Japan Exchange and Teaching program (JET) this summer, and has plans to spend another year teaching abroad. Ask Frank about his daughter, and he'll start glowing like a firefly, as he is so proud of her. He's hoping to visit her this summer, and hearing his blonde haired, blue eyed daughter speak fluent Japanese. "It's a kick", says Frank.

Labels: mission cliffs, staff

  ¶ Wednesday, April 30, 2008 0 Comments

  Taking Yoga to the Streets If for some reason you find yourself walking one day on the tough streets of San Francisco's Tenderloin district, you may just happen across the odd sight of a woman instructing yoga right on the dirty sidewalk. That woman is Sacramento Pipeworks yoga instructor Tamara Standard who, as her alter ego Yoga Girl, rolls out yoga mats and challenges denizens of the Tenderloin to literally practice yoga on the streets. Her mission is to share with others; bringing yoga to the underprivileged and those who haven't been exposed to the practice or may not have an opportunity to practice.

"Yoga should be accessible to all people" she said. Tamara was inspired to begin her service
as Yoga Girl 2 years ago when she was in the same down and depressed frame of mind that she now sees in the people she teaches. She finds most people she approaches on the street are actually willing to practice with her, often noting the softening of peoples faces and improvement in their posture or attitude after a session.

"Yoga is a very transformative experience".

Tamara is looking for people to help sponsor a small studio in the Tenderloin where she hopes to incorporate training others to help spread the word. You can watch video of her street work:
http://yogagirlsf.com/index.html or anyone who wants to participate can contact her at: yogagirlsf@mac.com

Labels: community, fitness, Sacramento Pipeworks, staff, Yoga

  ¶ Thursday, April 24, 2008 0 Comments

  Ice climbing? In California? In March? Believe it! Mission Cliff's own staff member Jacob Harrington was able to squeeze in one last trip this ice season at Tahoe's Cold Steam Canyon. This backcountry ice climbing destination is known for its steep sustained ice flows and long approach. Because the climbing is so far back in the mountains it's often easier to spend two days and camp, rather that try to get in and out in one day. "I love being able to combine snowshoeing, winter camping and ice climbing all in one trip" says Jacob. These 100'+ ice flows are unique because they face due north and rarely ever get sun, so they tend to last late in to the season. Unfortunately, because the weather has been warming up lately, it's doubtful that these formations will survive the next couple weeks.

Oh well... there's always next year!

Labels: mission cliffs, staff

  ¶ Monday, March 31, 2008 0 Comments

  Touchstone Staff Runs Fast
On an extremely rainy and windy Sunday recently, staff members from Touchstone gyms in Berkeley, Sacramento, Oakland and Concord, teamed up to race each other around Oakland’s Lake Merritt. Hosted by Lake Merritt Joggers and Striders (LMJS), the Couples Relay event featured a two-person relay, with each runner given a 5K leg around the lake. At 30 years old, this unique competition is LMJS's oldest foot race. Having already run this race several times in the past, Great Western Power Company staff member Skimra Rodriguez thought it would be fun to challenge her colleagues at Touchstone to team up with a staff member from another gym. Thanks entirely to her stellar performance, Skimra along with Pipework’s Vaughn Medford won bragging rights as the fastest pair, but not without good-natured promises of revenge next year from the other teams.

Labels: concord, Diablo Rock Gym, Great Western Power Co., oakland, Sacramento Pipeworks, staff

  ¶ Monday, March 24, 2008 0 Comments

  Jeffery Earns His Master's Our master of IT and poohbah of marketing, Jeffery Bowling, received his master’s in philosophy from San Francisco State last month. The title of his thesis was Johannes Climacus and Socrates: Irony, Eros and the Ladder. Herein he argues that Climacus, a pseudonym of Soren Kierkegaard, should be read as a work of irony rather than a straightforward philosophical work. Kierkegaard uses Socrates as a model for the kind of philosophical project he is undertaking.

Jeffery's interest in philosophy extends outside the academic realm all the way to the naming of his dog Soren after Kierkegaard. (Not sure if Kierkegaard was sweet, but Soren is.) So, if your workout is beating you down, look for Jeffery, probably reviewing our marketing materials or fixing our computers, and strike up a conversation about reason, knowledge, truth, ethics – all the fun stuff in life.

And you thought all management did was climb and bike!

Labels: Jeffery Bowling, staff, touchstone

  ¶ Thursday, January 24, 2008 0 Comments

  Leo & Hilary
Class 5 manager Ken James and his wife Cynthia recently completed the adoption processes for their first child. In November, Ken and Cynthia traveled to Guatemala to bring home Leo, who was born 9 months ago. All of us at Touchstone wish Ken, Cynthia and Leo all the best as they start their new family.

While Leo has only been in the country for a few weeks, he is already being schmoozed by major presidential candidates. While Ken and Cynthia were visiting family in Iowa, Hillary Clinton happened by the café they were eating breakfast in. Leo seems to be leaning toward Hillary in this photo, though his political leanings won’t matter much for another 17 years.

Labels: class 5, staff

  ¶ Tuesday, December 18, 2007 0 Comments

  A Trek of the Annapurna Curcuit
This October, Berkeley Ironworks Performance Cycling instructor Jen Worth spent a month of October in Nepal, a country she had wanted to visit for several years. Here is her story:

I trekked the Annapurna Circuit, a classic trek that circles the Annapurna massif and stretches about 220km (137 miles). The Circuit begins at low elevations, where it was downright tropical, and climbs in altitude until crossing the Thorung La pass at 5416 meters (17,769 feet). Along the way, it passes through lowland villages amidst terraced rice fields, villages valleys along a river, and barren mountain villages with prayer flags whipping in the wind.

It is a tea-house style trek, meaning one eats and sleeps in basic lodges while passing through villages along the Circuit. Dal bhat tarkari (lentil soup, rice and vegetables) is the standard Nepali meal, eaten twice a day. I chose to eat like a local as much as possible, except when I simply needed calories and had to down a Snickers and Coke (and I don't even like Coke!). Along the most of the trail, there are no roads (didn't see a car for 10 days!) so all supplies must be carried in on mules or on the backs of porters. To see a small, elderly woman carrying cages full of chickens five deep for hours on end is beyond humbling.

Speaking of humbling, the most spectacular scenery in the world is on display day after day. Rounding the corner in Upper Pisang and having Annapurna 2 staring squarely at me was a moment that took my breath away; I simply couldn't believe I was in the Himalayas looking at the mountains I'd read about for years. Along the Circuit, Nature continually reminds me that I am to be humbled. Landslides show their effect by having taken away parts of the trail, either forcing a delicate negotiation to pick one's way along a narrow path, or to be completely stopped while the army carves a new pathway where one stood the day before. The powerful rivers and many waterfalls are a stunning reminder of Nepal's abundance of water.

Crossing the Thorung La pass was a day I will never forget. We were about to embark on a day starting at 14,600 and ascend to the pass elevation of 17,769 then descend to finish the day at 12,465. I was one of many people to take a 4:30am departure...with snow falling. Perhaps we believed it was just a flurry, or perhaps we all felt safety in numbers. Regardless, it was an eerily beautiful sight to watch the snaking lights of headlamps in a slow processional up the switchbacks. People moved slowly, sucking in the thin, dry air. As daylight showed itself, two things were apparent: there was no end in sight to the snowfall, and many people were showing signs of altitude illness. These two realities were not a good combination. I saw many sick people I wanted to help (as a Wilderness First Responder, I carried extra Diamox), but could not, because I had to keep moving so I would not lose the small group I was crossing with, and because the snow was now joined by whipping winds. The top of the pass snuck up on me, since I was worried about all these sick people! I stopped very briefly to take the obligatory photo at the cairns and prayer flags, and to buy a sick porter a cup of tea.(Amazingly, there's a tea shop at the top of the pass, with the most expensive tea in all of Nepal!) The descent was a tricky one, narrow scree paths were now covered with inches of snow. People slowly tiptoed through the narrow paths that were on the edge of hundred foot drops. Many people, including me, fell several times along these icy ledges. I travelled closely with a Finnish guy, and we joked as we looked out for each other, both of us exhausted but determined to get to Muktinath safely. Nine hours after starting out, we were searching for guesthouses with available rooms. I was never so grateful for taking off my boots!

It wasn't all challenging. This side of the pass was more "luxurious", meaning better lodges with more food options, and hot showers! The village of Tatopani has natural hot springs along the river....a well-deserved soak was never enjoyed so much! It was exactly what was needed, since the next day was a 6000 ft climb up granite steps over 7 miles. The views of Dhaulagiri were our reward at Ghorepani. Sunrise over Dhaulagiri and the surrounding peaks were breathtaking.

I finished the trek on the most important day of the most important Nepali holiday, Dasain. People travel far to be with family, and everyone is dressed in their finest clothing and adorned with tikkas on their foreheads. It was a lovely sight as I caught a ride to Pokhara, a mellow lakeside town Where one typically decompresses after the trek. Many who craved a steak got their fix here, as for me, I just wanted some strong coffee! After chilling out here for a few days, I returned to Kathmandu to do more sightseeing before returning home. The giant Buddhist stupa at Boudha, the funereal pyres at Pashupatinath (the Varanasi of Nepal) and the monkeys at Swayambhunath (aka Monkey Temple) were all stunningly impressive places to visit.

All too soon it was time to leave. The people of Nepal, the mountain scenery and tiny villages, the simplicity, the beauty amidst the chaos all leave a special place in my heart and I know I'll be back.

Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, staff

  ¶ Thursday, November 29, 2007 0 Comments

  Lyn Does Thriller Great Western Power Company manager, Lyn Verinsky, recently climbed one of the most classic boulder problems in Yosemite Valley, if not the world. Thriller, v10, climbs a gently overhanging wall in the heart of the Camp 4 boulders and is a climb that not only tests one's strength, but skill and determination as well.

Lyn began to try the climb in earnest last fall after seeing her friend, Robyn Puro (who also happens to be 5'2"), nab the second female ascent. After many days and hundreds of attempts, Lyn's hard work paid off this last Saturday. Nice work Lyn.


Here is a video of her send:
*****************************

Labels: climbing, concord, Diablo Rock Gym, Great Western Power Co., oakland, staff, Yosemite

  ¶ Wednesday, November 21, 2007 0 Comments

  Climber & Bike Mechanic in Time of Need Peter Togasaki, a 26-year-old bike builder at Berkeley-based Wrench Science and former Berkeley Ironworks employee, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia in late August. Peter, had been feeling poorly for weeks but never expected to be diagnosed with this devastating cancer. After two unsuccessful rounds of chemotherapy treatments at an Oakland hospital, he is now being transferred to Stanford for a bone-marrow transplant. The road to recovery will be long (six months or more!) and dangerous. Jess, Peter’s sister and bone marrow donor, greatly appreciates the support and positive thoughts that Peter has been receiving from our community. She writes, “The Peter Fund is still open and any little bit you can give makes a difference. And THANK YOU to everyone who has donated, it's wonderful.”"We’re hoping to rally around Peter and raise enough money to cover his medical/living expenses during this time of need so that he can focus on beating his cancer," says Tim Medina, Wrench Science’s CEO. Information updates and contributions to the Peter Togasaki Cancer Fund can be made electronically. Please visit http://wrenchscience.blogspot.com/2007/11/peter.html

Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, members, staff

  ¶ Wednesday, November 07, 2007 0 Comments

  mmmm......brains.....

Labels: staff, touchstone

  ¶ Wednesday, October 31, 2007 0 Comments

  Birthday Climb
Ken James and Travis Nichols of Class 5 climbed Sun Ribbon Arete for a joint birthday climb. The weather was perfect – about 75 degrees and sunny with no wind – and the snow field at the base was small enough to skirt easily.

After about 9 hours of climbing later, having completed a tyrolean traverse (awesome!), done a wee bit of incorrect route finding and about 18-20 pitches of spectacular climbing, they sat on the summit and enjoyed the spectacular view of the Pallisades, Mt.Sill and a whole lot more.

By the time they got back to their camp at third lake, they were tired hungry and thirsty and already trying to figure out the next big climb.

Sun Ribbon Arete is on Temple Crag and can is reached by driving up to Glacier Lodge from Big Pine (south of Bishop), hiking 7 miles and climbing 1800 feet or so. This is one of the longest and most classic High Sierra arêtes. The route ascends a striking arête for 18 pitches and involves mostly 3rd and 4th class climbing with a number of short harder sections in the 5.6-5.10a range.

Temple Crag, The Sun Ribbon Arete (Grade IV, 5.10a, 18+ pitches)

Labels: class 5, climbing, staff

  ¶ Thursday, October 04, 2007 0 Comments

  New Managers Current Touchstone Concord manager, Lyn Verinsky will be taking the helm at the Great Western Power Company, the seventh Touchstone gym in the greater Bay Area, when it opens this fall. Lyn has worked with the company since 2003, first as desk staff at Class 5 and Berkeley Ironworks, then as manager of Class 5 and Touchstone Concord.

An avid climber since her first time on the wall at Ironworks in 2001, Lyn has embraced the climbing lifestyle and has tried to take as many road trips as her job and 11 year old son allow. Most recent adventures include a winter trip to Hueco where, as she laughingly says, "I had an amazing time getting spanked by the powerful climbing." Fontainbleau, Yosemite Valley and Squamish top her list of favorite climbing spots, though she also has a fondness for local crag Mortar Rock.

Taking over as head honcho at Concord is long-time desk staff Andrew Descalso. Andrew was one of the first members of Touchstone Concord when it opened almost five years ago and has worked the desk since 2004. Andrew has a love of bouldering that has survived even an ankle break while climbing at the Druid Stones in 2005. His most recent climbing accomplishment was a proud send of the infamously hard Ironman Traverse in the Buttermilks this last winter. Highballs and mantels are Andrew's greatest nemeses, but he has a weakness for adorable and friendly canines. One description of Andrew can be found on the yelp website reviewing Touchstone Concord: "Andrew . . . is fabulously helpful, not to mention easy on the eyes!"

Labels: concord, Diablo Rock Gym, Great Western Power Co., oakland, staff, Yosemite

  ¶ Friday, August 31, 2007 0 Comments

  Rose Helps Out in Guatemala Berkeley Ironworks front desk staffer Rose Waters has embarked on a good-will trip to Guatemala to help out at a health clinic in the village of San Marcos de la Laguna. She started out by taking an intensive language school in the Spanish colonial city of Antigua.

She is now in San Marcos and hoping to practice her Spanish, but most of the people there speak it pretty badly if at all, since they are all indigenous and speak the Mayan language Kaqchikel. But she is using her basic Spanish to communicate while helping with prenatals, attending births, observing the naturopathic doctor, works in the garden (they grow herbs that they use for treatments in the clinic), and going around to check on the orphans that the clinic sponsors.

In the picture, Rose may look like she is shaking her fist at the little girl, but she is actually treating her for a cough, fever and malnutrition (that´s why her hair is falling out).

Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, community, staff

  ¶ Friday, August 24, 2007 0 Comments

  A New Face in San Jose If you’ve been around Touchstone Concord, you’ll probably notice a familiar face behind the desk at Touchstone San Jose. Staff member, Monica Aranda, is a self-proclaimed climbing addict. With about 5 years of climbing experience, she mostly boulders but welcomes both top-roping and leading as well. In addition to climbing, she has taken her passion of photography down to the San Jose, where she will be pursuing a degree in photojournalism at San Jose State University.

Touchstone San Jose welcomes Monica into the South Bay’s best bouldering community!

Labels: san jose, staff

  ¶ Monday, August 13, 2007 0 Comments

  The Lost Coast Class 5 desk staffers Julia MacKenzie and Jamie Phillips and some friends hiked the Lost Coast and climbed at Lost Rocks (different but suspiciously similar sounding).

Three days of hiking and a million miles later—OK, with some sightseeing and hanging out, they made it out alive and went climbing.

Lost Rocks is beach bouldering at the mouth of the Klamath River. Tons of tall boulders with small pebbly landings – Great problems. I believe “Awesome” was the verdict. A few days at Lost Rocks and we made them come home and show us pictures.

Labels: class 5, climbing, staff

  ¶ Friday, August 10, 2007 0 Comments

  1/2 Marathon Finisher Carolyn Link, a Mission Cliffs staff member, recently completed the San Francisco half marathon in 2:04:35. “I had hoped to finish in under 2 hours, but a foot injury delayed my training for a bit. I did better than I expected and think I can make it in under 2 hours on the next one,” said Carolyn. “I was ahead on the 2 hour pace runner the whole way, but a bad cramp in my right calf slowed me down around mile 11 and she kept inching ahead of me! My legs just wouldn’t go any faster!” Carolyn might be limping around Mission Cliffs for the next couple days as that right calf is still very sore, but she is eager to run another half marathon sometime soon. Asked if she’d ever consider a full marathon, Carolyn said, “Maybe someday, but I don’t really have the patience for training. And with the way I felt crossing the finish line I can’t imagine running one more step, let alone another 13!”

Labels: mission cliffs, staff

  ¶ Monday, August 06, 2007 0 Comments