From the monthly archives:

February 2005

Storms Destroy Bouldering Area in Southern California

by Tom Markiewicz on February 16, 2005

From Climbing.com, Dougald MacDonald reports that winter rains in Southern California washed away a boulder field known as Tar Creek (Swimming Hole). Located near Fillmore, California, the storm and rains destroyed and swept away many boulders.

{ 0 comments }

Vermont crag is saved by climbers

by Tom Markiewicz on February 16, 2005

The Climbing Resource Access Group of Vermont (CRAG-VT) finalized the purchase of the Bolton Quarry. Used by climbers for both ice and rock climbing, this was the first land conservation purchase specifically for climbing in Vermont. Full details can be found in this press release.

{ 0 comments }

Upcoming Ice Climbing Festivals

by Tom Markiewicz on February 15, 2005

Two more ice climbing festivals are upcoming. The 8th annual Festiglace du Quebec sponsored by The North Face will be held February 18-20 in Pont-Rouge. Billed as the world’s biggest ice climbing event, the event promises gear demos and expert advice booths, free intro to ice climbing lessons, snowshoeing circuit and demos, professional and amateur [...]

{ 0 comments }

Climbers killed in Greece avalanche

by Tom Markiewicz on February 15, 2005

BBC News reports that four Greek climbers have been killed in an avalanche in the southern Peloponnese mountains in Greece. A group of 28 climbers were caught in the avalanche on Mount Menalos. The other climbers survived with minor injuries. Additional resources: Briton killed in Greek avalanche (Reuters) Five dead, six injured by avalanche in [...]

{ 0 comments }

Rock Chalk review

by Tom Markiewicz on February 15, 2005

As an old school, block gymnastic chalk user, I’ve tried and then given away every other type of chalk to be released over the years. Everything other than the block chalk feels greasy to me. I pretty much assumed attempts at chalk innovation has stopped, but apparently a company called Terra Firma has some interesting [...]

{ 0 comments }

Ice silos site of regional competition

by Tom Markiewicz on February 12, 2005

Sponsored by Red Bull, Cedar Falls, Iowa is hosting an ice climbing competition this weekend on silos. For the past five years, University of Northern Iowa outdoor pursuits teacher Don Briggs has been icing down four silos for the purpose of climbing. The largest ice wall stretches 68 feet from the ground, while two others [...]

{ 0 comments }

The LA Times has an article on the artificial climbing wall manufacturer, Monolithic Sculptures. One of the company’s current projects is replicating the giant cue-ball formations from Rock City located outside Kansas City. The Rock City boulder in Minneapolis, Kan., is part of a series of “huge sandstone concretions… round balls of sandstone that look [...]

{ 0 comments }

China to establish a mountaineering rescue system

by Tom Markiewicz on February 11, 2005

The People’s Daily Online reports that China is attempting to establish a national mountaineering rescue system. Li Zhixin, director of the National Mountaineering Administration Center, said, “At present, China boasts more than 300 outdoor sports clubs. Along with blooming outdoor activities, a frequent accident occurrence period will come. Statistics show that from 2000 to 2004, [...]

{ 0 comments }

Build your own indoor climbing wall

by Tom Markiewicz on February 7, 2005

Whenever the weather stays cold (hmm, like now, in February), I feel like a mad genius scheming plans to build a climbing wall somewhere in my home. In my mind, I’ve developed plans for an attic wall, a free standing bouldering cave in a spare bedroom, a bouldering cave suspended in the basement laundry room, [...]

{ 3 comments }

Climbing area closures

by Tom Markiewicz on February 5, 2005

According to the Access Fund, numerous climbing area closures go into effect February 1.

{ 0 comments }

Winter climbing tips

by Tom Markiewicz on February 5, 2005

Jack Roberts, climbing guide and author, has some useful “tech tips” on his site. These include secrets to staying warm and keeping winter fun, preparation for long winter alpine days, and Jack’s twelve golden rules for better leading on ice.

{ 0 comments }

View from the summit of Mt. Everest

by Tom Markiewicz on February 4, 2005

If you’ve ever wanted to see the view from the summit of Panoramas.dk site. In addition to Mt. Everest, they have panoramic views of Jungfraujoch of Switzerland, Bishop Creek in the High Sierras, and the

{ 0 comments }