Imagine climbing at your limit. Now picture soloing a crumbling slab. For many climbers these are just dreams or more accurately, nightmares. For Touchstone route setter Jeremy Ho this was a reality.

On Tuesday January 15th, Berkeley climber, Jeremy Ho made a coveted ascent of Evilution, a 60 foot V11 highball on the Grandpa Peabody boulder in the Buttermilk Boulders of Bishop, California.

Recently, Touchstone member and obsessive climber, Jordan Shackelford traveled to the bouldering mecca of Bishop. Jordan sent the Touchstone blog a trip report of his winter bouldering excursion.

I’m sure you’ve heard the name Jordan Shackelford before. When Ryan Moon made the first ascent of Gentleman’s Club in the Columbia Boulders, I spotted him. My handsome mug can be found in the winter issue of California Climber.

 Now that we are acquainted, let me tell you about my recent 16 hour drive from the Bay Area to Bishop, CA. (why did you drive 16 hours? Did you drive to tahoe first and then drive through Bakersfield?) That’s not a typo, that’s what happens when you chart your course to Bishop through Bakersfield, by way of Tahoe, during a major blizzard in the Sierras. I guess sometimes that’s the price you pay for twelve days of butter-milking, pocket-pulling, hot-springing, snow-camping, igloo-collapsing, teeth-chattering fun.

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The walls at Dogpatch Boulders in San Francisco are nearing completion. In the past week, Walltopia workers have been installing the panels, followed closely by the Touchstone setting crew. The setters have established hundreds of problems ranging from VB to V11 on the terrain of slabs, vertical walls, and steep roofs. Dogpatch manager Justin Alarcon, setters Cole Zuelke of Fresno, Jeremy Ho of Berkeley Ironworks, and Anthony Vicino of Ironworks talked about the setting happening at the new gym.

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It. Is. ON!

Free money to climb?? What?! Applications are now being accepted for the 2013 Live Your Dream Grant! Get yours in before the application period closes on March 1st, 2013! Click HERE and download the simple application for the Western Region. Show your ambition, fill it out well, follow the instructions, email to the appropriate place, and you're done. Bam.

The American Alpine Club's "Live Your Dream" Grant is a program that supports climbers in realizing their climbing ambitions and dreams. The AAC is seeking to sponsor climbers of all ages and experience levels, as well as a range of climbing disciplines including, but definitely not limited to, trad climbing, mountaineering, sport climbing, bouldering, ice climbing, ski mountaineering, gym climbing and any and all other worthy mountain pursuits! The emphasis of the grant is on projects that have significant positive impact on grantees’ progressions as climbers and/or the development of their skills. Show them how your project will take you to the next level or get you ready for it. The purpose of the "Live Your Dream" Grant is to encourage climbers to pursue their dreams and to fund those individuals (or individuals that are part of small teams) to make it happen. This is for real. Think of your dream climbing trip.... the AAC and Touchstone want to help you get there! 

The Western Region Live Your Dream Grant is supported in part through a partnership with Touchstone Climbing and Fitness. We are so happy to be a part of this project and can't wait to see where is takes the recipients! Our contribution, coupled with local fundraising means that the AAC has a TON of money to give away this year. Award amounts will vary independently depending on scope of project, but will likely fall in the $500 to $1000 range - unless your project is super, super cool and you need more.

APPLY NOW!  GET CASH!  GO CLIMBING!

These grants are developed and administered locally with community support. Application period runs 1/1/13 through 3/1/13. Grant recipients will be announced 4/1/13. Grant awards must be used within one calendar year of date of award. To qualify for the Western Region Grant, the applicant must be a resident of California, Nevada, Arizona, or Hawaii. If you have specific questions, please email Western Regional Coordinator Jeff Deikis.

 

Oh 2013, how quickly you are upon us! It's that magical time of year again, when all the turkey and stuffing is but a distant memory in our minds, memorialized only by the few extra pounds we managed to pack on during the holidays. It's no wonder our resolutions for the new year tend to trend towards fitness goals to make up for all the seasons indulgences. So whether your goal is to shed a few pounds, to get hooked on a new fitness class, or to climb a little more often; we want to make your closest Touchstone Gym a little easier to be a part of. 

Which is why we're offering....

That's right! Take advantage of the many benefits to membership by joining any of our eight gyms any time in January and paying Zero Initiation fee. And frankly, being a member is pretty darn cool. Just think of all the unlimited fitness classes you could enjoy! All the Touchstone Climbing comps you could come party at for free. All the fun you could have and friends you could make.... And your very own membership card?!?!? *swoon* Check out the perks of being a Touchstone member:

• Free Introduction to Climbing Class (this includes your gear rental for the day!)
• One free guest pass each month, plus an EXTRA guest pass on the 4th Friday of each month. 
• Reciprocal use of all other Touchstone Gyms throughout Northern California.
• FREE fitness, indoor cycling and yoga classes. (Check out our online calendar for class schedules.)
• Great discounts at our Pro-Shop: Just getting into climbing? Members receive 15% off on the Full Climbing Package - harness, shoes, chalk bag, locking carabiner and belay device. You also receive 10% off any purchase over $75.
• Discounts on many of our climbing technique clinics!
• Free entrance to the monthly member competitions that take place at one of our 8 locations. These competitions always include free food, beer, tons of climbing and a great chance to meet other Touchstone members. 
• And don't forget about our newest gym Dogpatch Boulders, currently under construction in San Francisco! Enjoy member-only climbing nights and sneak peaks of the biggest bouldering gym in the country!

Find out more about our amazing gyms on our website join us on our social media sites to become a part of the conversation. Hope to see you soon! 
 

For many people climbing is more than a sport. It is a passion. Fitting climbing into life can be a serious challenge though.

Grace Kane, a 13 year old 8th grader at Granite Ridge Intermediate, loves climbing. “I love the challenge. I love the craziness.” But a few years ago, her climbing hit a block. There was nowhere to climb in Fresno!

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