Climbing Video: Climbing a bolted concrete wall
May 30, 2008
While checking out ClimbingWeather.com as I mentioned in my last post, I was reading their blog and found a link to this video of climbing on a bolted concrete wall.
There’s also a video from the same company, Cojones Producciones, showing crack climbing up the concrete wall.
Popularity: 15% [?]
Climbing Weather site
May 30, 2008
It’s time to double check the weather for weekend climbing and I stumbled on a climbing specific web site for weather that I had never used before: ClimbingWeather.com
Usually I have a few bookmarked pages to the National Weather Service for my local climbing areas. ClimbingWeather.com does this better by showing exactly what I need in an easy to read format.
Additional features include monthly rain and temperature averages, an area map via Google, and a “nice climbing days” tracker. I’d love to see how they measure and track this - the site states The New has had 45 nice climbing days this year.
I love the site, but do have a few suggestions. First, they could add RSS feeds for each area as well as the blog. It would be really useful to open my feed reader with all my other climbing reading and see the upcoming forecast.
A second suggestion (and I know I’m reaching here) would be to create weather widgets for climbing related sites and blogs. I’m not sure what the long-term plan is for ClimbingWeather.com, but weather widgets would go a long way to spreading their reach.
Popularity: 14% [?]
Climbing Video: Interview with Reinhold Messner
May 23, 2008
An interview with the mountaineering great, Reinhold Messner via The Adventure Blog.
Popularity: 18% [?]
Review of the Black Diamond Icon headlamp
May 22, 2008
SplitterChoss.com posts a nice review of the Black Diamond Icon. Apparently, this headlamp can last for 90 hours on one charge.
This is one thing I wish more climbing blogs did - write good reviews of climbing gear. Unlike books or electronics where you can quickly go to Amazon.com and find many reviews, we really don’t have anything that comprehensive for climbing gear.
Some retailers like Mountain Gear offer reviews, but it’s really hit or miss. So consider this an open challenge to all bloggers (All Climbing included): we need more gear reviews!
Popularity: 18% [?]
Quick Sends - 5/22/08
May 22, 2008
Tommy Caldwell and Justen Sjong make first free ascent of El Capitan’s Magic Mushroom
Adam Ondra repeats Action Directe (5.14d) in Germany’s Frankenjura
Nicolas Favresse repeated Greenspit (8b+), a contender for the hardest trad crack in Europe
Markus Bock climbs possible new 9a in the German Frankenjura
Ben Gilmore, Maxime Turgeon, and Freddie Wilkinson have completed the first ascent of the Bat’s Ears, the highest unclimbed Alaskan peak
The New York Times covers the Fred Hutchinson Climb for Cancer
Review of the Melloblocco bouldering weekend
Popularity: 12% [?]
More confirmation of Miura VS climbing shoes coming soon
May 19, 2008
At the New River Rendezvous this past weekend, I spoke with a rep from La Sportiva regarding the availability of the new Miura VS climbing shoes I wrote about previously.
He told me the new Miuras should be in retailers within a month as they are currently being shipped to the US.
As soon as I can get my hands on a pair, I’ll have a review posted.
Popularity: 12% [?]
Quick Sends - 5/12/08
May 12, 2008
The Olympic torch reaches the summit of Mt. Everest
Rocky Mountain National Park may get wilderness protection
Dream in Vertical takes us on a Bishop bouldering trip with tons of pics
Barbara Zangerl makes first female ascent of Pura Vida (8A+/B) in Magic Wood, Switzerland
Daniel Woods completes new 8c in Magic Wood
Check CAMP Tricams for possible problems
Peter Beal’s essay on climbing past 40 on FrontRangeBouldering.com
Popularity: 13% [?]
Time to throw away your Nalgene bottles
May 8, 2008
There’s been numerous articles recently written on the problems that have surfaced regarding Nalgene bottles. Since most climbers own one of these, I decided to look into what is actually going on.
I was in the REI in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia recently and I didn’t see a single Nalgene bottle on the shelves. A foreboding sign itself. There’s usually an entire row of shelving with the now ubiquitous bottles in all shapes and colors.
Following the move made by Canada’s MEC, REI has now pulled all Nalgene bottles from their shelves. Nalgene has announced that they will stop making bottles out of polycarbonate.
Polycarbonate contains a chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) which has been linked to numerous health problems including breast and prostate cancer, brain damage, endocrine system disruptions, higher levels of testosterone in men and women, recurrent miscarriages, and chromosomal defects in fetuses.
Read more
Popularity: 24% [?]
Outdoor clothing store Nau closes
May 7, 2008
I was introduced to Nau by Andrew Hyde during my trip to Boulder in March. During a brief chat at the TechStars office, Andrew recommended I stop by the Nau store in Boulder before leaving. He praised the quality of their sustainable clothing and fact that the company was founded by former Patagonia employees. So I figured I should check them out.
I did manage to stop by Nau and was very impressed by their clothing. In particular I saw one fleece on the sale rack that had it been in my size I would have bought in a heartbeat. Some of their pants made for climbing or other outdoors activities were quite impressive. I made a mental note to come back and shop when I returned this summer to live in Boulder permanently.
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Popularity: 17% [?]
Climbing Video: Joe Kinder and Gregory Backpacks
May 7, 2008
The Backcountry Blog points us to a video from Gregory climbing packs interviewing Joe Kinder along with some great bouldering and sport climbing footage in Utah.
Popularity: 14% [?]
Quick Sends - 5/7/08
May 7, 2008
Spanish climber Rafael Guillen dies on Dhaulagiri
Adam Ondra sends Unplugged (9a) in Frankenjura, Germany
Daniel Woods sends first ascent of Metamorphosis (8b+/V14) in Switzerland’s Magic Wood
David Lama and Anna Stöhr won the second stage of the Bouldering World Cup 2008
Dr. Topo releases Big in Japan Double Feature to DVD
Interview with Henry Barber from the Southeastern Climbers Coalition
Joe Kinder completes Golden Direct (5.14c/d) at the Cathedral near St. George, Utah
Rock Climber Girl discusses the fear of falling
Review of the Metolius Master Cam
Popularity: 13% [?]
Gear Review: Revolution Uzi Crash Pad
May 3, 2008
I’m a firm believer that a serious boulderer needs three types of crash pads. First, there’s the all around workhorse crash pad. At a standard size of about 40″ by 50″ feet, this pad will take care of the vast majority of your bouldering needs. Most crash pad models fall into this category and you likely already own at least one.
The next category comprises the extra large pads. Meant for highballs, maximum coverage, or frequent solo bouldering adventures, these monsters usually measure 50″ by 60″ but often times can get much larger. The Revolution 12-Gauge is an excellent example of this type of crash pad.
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Popularity: 18% [?]
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