Video Highlights from Fall Flash Fest

A quick little video from last weekends action -- make sure to check out the finals towards the end.

Fall Flash Fest 2010 from climbmax nc on Vimeo.

Fall Flash Fest

This weekend!!!

We have already set more than half the routes, but they are hiding in boxes in a closet. We can't wait to get them back up on the walls. They seem particularly inspired this year -- we look forward to seeing what you think. You can also expect some fresh new holds on display this weekend, thanks to our friends at Element, So Ill, and Pusher/Revolution.

S.A.U.C.I.

The fall S.A.U.C.I was a great start to the series. Thanks to all the teams that made it out. If you are a college student and you didn't compete -- you missed out! The good news, for students and non-students alike, is that the routes are still up.....but not for long.....everything is coming down 11/12 for the Fall Flash Fest.

Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up

We are excited to be hosting this event. With just a of bit work -- and a lot of climbing we can raise money that will make a difference. Join us at Climbmax on October 8th for the Climb Up for Kids Climb-A-Thon. 100% of all funds raised go directly to those in need. This is a Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up charity event, led by the American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA). AFCA is a non-profit organization, providing critical AIDS medications, medical equipment, nutritional supplements, and supplies in Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe. For more information: www.ClimbUpSoKidsCanGrowUp.com and www.helpchildrenwithaids.org

Stop by Climbmax for more detailed information. Basically, participants will be asking friends, family, co-workers, etc. to pledge a dollar amount per pitch climbed. The more you climb, the more money you raise! There is a $5 participation fee. Participants may also choose to make donations themselves in lieu of getting pledges. So, join us, and climb for a good cause.

S.A.U.C.I 2010/2011

S.A.U.C.I. or Southern Appalachian University College Invitational is a long time favorite -- and perhaps the first collegiate climbing series in the Southeast?

This year's season will kick off on Friday October 15th, 6:00-10:00pm. S.A.U.C.I is a bouldering series, and competitors can compete as individuals, or as a team. We will have fun problems for ALL abilities, and the atmosphere is always fun and motivating.

One of our goals with this series is to promote regional collegiate climbing. Entry fees are kept low; we understand that not all students can cough up $30 to enter a comp.

New for this year: we will be awarding a series champion, based on combined results in all three S.A.U.C.I. events -- cash purse and the S.A.U.C.I trophy.

Start training, and mark you calenders; we hope to see you and your teams!

Series dates:

October 15

January 28

March 18

After School Programs!

Everyone at Climbmax is getting excited for our after school programs! We have two programs going on this fall, a club and a team. The club program focuses on creating a fun and educational environment for kids to explore climbing. The team program is for youth who are interested in building on their strengths ands improving on their weaknesses as climbers. The team is a goal oriented program for young adults who already have some climbing experience.

For adults that may be concerned about getting their egos beat down by the kid crushers, the schedule for the after school programs are posted on our calendar.

Update!

The cave is reset!

Ok, this update is a little late. The cave has been reset for almost 2 weeks, but if you didn't know, now you know! We'll continue route saturation through the next week until the next area reset.

So, what else is new at Climbmax?

You can expect to see some old faces at the gym soon. Dave will be back from his crushfest in Wyoming and Bethyn is returning from her summer vacation.

Comp season is almost upon us. Stay tuned for information about our upcoming bouldering events.

We also have some ridiculous promotions going on for students. $150 for an all exclusive entire semester pass. That is some wacky waving inflatable arm waving madness.

That about does it. By the way, I'm pretty sure I saw a leaf that was orange on the way to work today...

Turret reset

Howdy everyone.

First off, I want to welcome back Cameron and Flannery from their month road trip. It's good to have you guys back.

Yesterday, the stripping and screwing crew did a full reset of the turret.

We got psyched and moved around some of the volumes around and also added a new small volume. There are a ton of new problems up, from 2 dots to 8(?) dots.


We had a bunch of great people setting problems for us yesterday. The crew consisted of Cameron, Dave, Nate, Rob, Josh, and Flannery. Expect a diverse style in the setting, and look forward to more problems as we continue a soft fill of the turret.

On an aside, I'd like to take a second and explain what you can expect out of the setting crew for the foreseeable future:

1. Consistency in resets. We know nobody likes to climb on the same stale problems for months on end, but it also sucks when you're so close to sending a problem and then its stripped without warning. That's why Climbmax is going to be sticking to a set schedule for our resets. Every two weeks an area in the gym will be stripped and reset. During that two week period the setting crew will continue setting in that area until it's full. Then we'll move onto a new area, do a full reset, and spend the next 2 weeks doing a soft fill there.
If you haven't checked out the Climbmax calendar yet, click the link at the top of the blog. You'll find our setting schedule there, along with other various events Climbmax is hosting.

2. Diversity in style. Setting is hard. Setting outside of your own personal style can be even harder. That's why having multiple setters with different strengths is important to providing varied styles of routes. We're going to try really hard to provide you with setters of different skill sets, abilities, and styles.

We'll be continuing to tweak our setting philosophy. If anyone has suggestions for us, feel free to drop us a comment on the blog or tell us in the gym.

See you in the gym or on the rock.

-Josh

CORE!

Climbmax will be hosting a screening of Core on July 16th at 8pm.

CORE goes to the heart of climbing. Join an international cast of the sport's most dedicated athletes as they stick it when it matters most. Shot in 35mm Ultra High Definition, get ready to see every detail of some of the nastiest pieces of rock ever climbed.

Tickets are $6.00 a person and all proceeds will go to the Carolina Climber's Coalition. Join us on the 16th and get PSYCHED watching Core with fellow climbers.

CORE Official Trailer from Chuck Fryberger on Vimeo.

BOULDERMAX

Bouldermax, hosted as the climbing element in the Mountain Sports Festival was a great event -- thank you sponsors, competitors, and spectators.

The event began with an open redpoint format bouldering competition. Competitors mingled, climbed hard, tried hard, spotted, and cheered each other on for 3 hrs, on 50 new problems ranging from V0 - V9. People really seemed to being enjoying themselves and giving it their all.

The route setters watched the field during the open competition, and then quickly set 3 finals problems on an outdoor wall constructed for the event. Their performance on these 3 problems would determine the results for the top 6 finishers in the advanced category, and the top 3 in intermediate. Each climber would be given 4 minutes to try to crack all 3 problems.

With a crowd forming the climbing began. The crowd grew quickly and let themselves get drawn into the climber's efforts. Before long the courtyard in front of Climbmax was filled with screaming spectators.

Here's a short vidoe of some highlighted climbing:

Bouldermax 2010 from climbmax nc on Vimeo.

A big thank you to all our sponsors, first and foremost: Black Dome --Asheville's full-service outfitter and core climbing store. Also a special thanks to: Mountain Hardwear, REI, Native, Patagonia, and Evolv.

Bouldermax

May 29th, Bouldermax: A redpoint bouldering competition that will climax with a spectator friendly outdoor finals for the top placing men and women. Bouldermax is hosted as the climbing part of the Mountain Sports Festival. Its big! Its fun! You've got to come!

We will have LOTS of great prizes and a cash purse for the winners, as well as ample gear to raffle off. Winners will also grace the podium at the MSF Event center at Carrier Park.

All ages and abilities are welcome; we will have youth divisions, an old geezers division (40+), as well as beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Mark the date, start training, don't miss it!

NO TRANSPORTATION CARBON FOOTRINT FOR CLIMBMAX TODAY

This sounds a bit more grandiose than it actually is. David rode his bike to work, Stuart rode his bike to work, and they are both happier for it I'm sure.

Spring is here!

And that means lots going on at Climbmax... To start with, there was April fools. Imagine my surprise when I couldn't get behind the desk to work.

And, the After school programs are off to a great start. Here are few photos of Bronson, Cole, and Claire bouldering, as well as Matt on his first lead of the outdoor wall. Keep it up yall!




The turret has been reset with a full range of new problems from 2 dots to 9 dots. Here are some bright clean holds, and Cole using his monkey momentum on a new 2 dot problem.





With the clear weather, ClimbMax Mountain Guides have been out leading trips at our beautiful local climbing areas. Here are a few photos of regular ClimbMax climber Hannah Nash climbing with CMG on 'Second Coming' at Looking Glass in the Pisgah Forest. This is a great time of year to be climbing outside. Our SUMMER CAMPS are an exciting way for youth to transition from indoor climbing to outdoor climbing. And reservations for all ages and abilities can be made on a private basis.

New Holds!

....and new routes! We just hosted a Youth Competition for the Climbmax Climbing team and the Brevard Rock Gym's team and, wow, these kids can crank! I was impressed not only by their ability but by how well they work together and support each other to crack boulder problems. Any competition means new problems for everybody else -- about 20 from v0 - v5 -- and fresh new holds.

Check out this big sloper:


And, we have new pinches for the system training board. The system board is a powerful tool to increase your finger strength and core strength. It involves isolating specific grip positions and timed rests. Just ask for tips on how to use it. Here is ETSU climber Chris Noga making it look easy:

Rock and Ice Season

It has been a cold winter in Asheville, but over the past 2 weeks the sun has been out, allowing for climbers to take advantage of both rock climbing and ice climbing. The WNC area certainly offers spectacular opportunities for both so you may find yourself sharpening your pics one day, then packing up the crash pad the next day.

For those of you who have been climbing at Rumbling Bald, don't forget to donate to the Carolina Climbers Coalition. They recently bought a significant tract on the west side, hosting some of BEST boulders in the area. The boulders are secure, now WE need to help pay the bills.

Check out this little video of ice climbing on the Whitesides Mountain classics: Mother Russia and Starshine. If you haven't tried ice climbing, ClimbMax Mountain Guides offers fun instruction.

Competitions

We just hosted our annual competition for local High Schools. This is a fun event where climbers meet new friends and compete for their school title! Congratulations to this year's winners: Asheville School.

Next up: Youth Competition Thursday March 11, 5-7pm. This event is open to all climbers 5 to 16 years old. Our team and club will be there, we hope to see you as well.