Fall Flash Fest Route-Setting Frenzy

Get pumped folks! ClimbMax's premier climbing competition, Fall Flash Fest (FFF), is coming right up! It'll be on Saturday, October 15 - which means there's now less than two weeks left before this event. Keep in mind that pre-registration ends this Sunday, October 9. Pre-registering gives you a five dollar discount off the registration cost, and assures you'll get a FFF t-shirt. The entire gym will be reset for this comp, and there may even be a little surprise addition for it... Register early here!

All those new routes mean that we've already begun setting like mad. But, you might ask, how do we reset the gym over a period of weeks and still keep it climbable in the meantime, without giving away the problems that will be put up for the competition?

Well, the process begins with setting a great route. This includes "forerunning" the route - when a bunch of folks (who will not be competing) climb it, and make any suggestions to the setter. Then, the route is taped and a map of it is made that shows which holds go where. Finally, the holds and bolts get taken down, get boxed up, and set aside in temporary storage. There the pre-set, boxed climbs will rest until the time comes to use the maps to re-set the routes (exactly as they were originally set!). In the meantime, the rest of the climbs in the gym are left up, until the time comes to strip down everything unrelated to Fall Flash Fest!

Keep your eyes peeled for the signs of pre-set FFF routes! Also, look out for any surprise additions in the next few days...

Is this thing on?

Long time no talk, blogosphere.

Well, a lot has changed since we last talked. There's a brand new staff at climbmax now! Feel free to welcome the new crew with open arms. (just don't squeeze too hard, you guys are strong)

We've been hard at work making the gym nice and clean for you in anticipation for the fall. Keep your eyes out for new carpets and new paint jobs.

FIght Against Cancer Climb-A-Thon

We are really excited about this event and hope you will be too. Please help spread the word.

Join us on Saturday May 28, 10:00am-5:00pm.

How it works: Registered participants seek pledges and climb as many designated pink routes as many times as they can in the gym on May 28 from 10am to 5pm. They add up their total number of feet climbed to determine their donations.

The entrance fee is $20.

This event is part of the Mountain Sports Festival, and goodies for participants will be generously supplied by R.E.I Asheville.

Register and find more information here

Problem of the week: Episode 5

Climbmax problem of the week --episode 5 from david sharratt on Vimeo.

Problem of the week: episode 4

Problem of the week episode 4 from david sharratt on Vimeo.

Problem of the Week: Episode 3

Watch Chelsea as she floats up a steep problem. Tried it yet?

Climbmax Problem of the Week - Episode 3 from david sharratt on Vimeo.

SAUCI - behind the scenes

Thank you and congratulations to everyone who competed in the final S.A.U.C.I this past Friday. A big congrats goes out to ASU, who won the 2010/2011 overall title!

We will get full results posted soon. Until then here is a little stop motion video showing what goes into setting up for one of these events.

SAUCI behind the scenes from david sharratt on Vimeo.