Rock climbing attracts all manners of people. Artists make a significant contribution to the climbing community. The Touchstone gyms enjoy celebrating the amazing artwork that many locals climbers produce. From the great photography of Dan Mottaz at Mission Cliffs to the artistic work of Andreina Davila at Ironworks, amazing art work hangs on the walls of all of the Touchstone gyms.
This month, Andreina Davila's work is displayed at Ironworks. Davila was born and raised in Venezuela in 1977. Davila, a painter of 6 years, splits her time between her art and her role as Creative Director for the Diabetes Hands Foundation, a nonprofit organization she co-founded in 2008.
Want to learn how to establish your own anchors? Need some help on climbing safely on your own? Berkeley Ironworks is offering a new clinic, Anchors 101 with Chris Ahlgren.
Today, CRAGS (Climbing Resource Advocates for Greater Sacramento) and the Access Fund negotiated an agreement with California's Auburn State Recreation Area to lift a 9-year ban on rock climbing at the Cave Valley Climbing Area, the Auburn Quarry. While the agreement must still be approved by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, CRAGS and the Access Fund are working to raise approximately $10,000 to provide critical services to offset climber impacts.
Proper technique in climbing will help you scale the hardest rock faces. There are a few Golden Rules of Rock climbing.
The first, keeping your arms straight, will help you conserve immense amounts of energy. Bent arms deplete strength quickly while straight arms and hanging on your skeleton will help conserve your energy.
The second rule, being aware of your center of gravity, helps keep your body in balance. Knowing that you are stable will help you stay relaxed, help you make moves, and make you climb better.
The third golden rule of climbing, being mindful of your feet, is especially important for California climbers. Much of the rock around California is slabby which means standing well on your big toe, pushing with your feet and being precise.
In this video, Adam explains the Golden Rules of Rock Climbing. Check it out.
The Touchstone Rope Series comps are in full force. On Friday, August 10th from 5 until 10 pm, TRS is coming to Diablo Rock Gym. In anticipation of the comps, the Touchstone blog talked with Trevor Pettigrew, the 28 year old owner operator of Pettigrew Electric. Pettigrew has climbed at all the comps to date and talked about the TRS Series.
Eying his opponent from across the nine foot long table, Scott crouched and spun his paddle. The small white ball volleyed towards him. Scott blasted sideways. His paddle smashed the ball. The hit gave the ball topspin and accelerated it towards his opponent in a finalizing blow.
Frye's Coach Xin, 9 year old national champion and Frye's sparring partner Kevin Lee, and Scott Frye
Scott Frye is no ordinary ping pong player. The 53 year old Berkeley native and Touchstone Climbing Gym stock boy is also a father in the era of modern sport climbing. With the same obsession that he now plays ping pong with, he once climbed with.
