Movement Blog

Whether you're a seasoned climber with years of experience or a newcomer eagerly embracing the thrill of scaling rocks, chances are your adventures have led or will lead you to some of the most breathtaking climbing destinations across the country. As climbers, we're privileged to explore these natural wonders, but with this privilege comes a responsibility to protect and preserve these environments for future generations. This is where climbing stewardship comes into play.

Nearly 12 years ago – early into my climbing journey, I had a full-blown panic attack at the gym. As a beginner climber, I was so worried about people watching me and thinking, "Wow, that girl really has no idea what she's doing." I felt embarrassed and didn't want anyone to think poorly of me. Irrational? Yes - but I'm confident I'm not the only one who's been there.

Competition climbing, or "comp" climbing as it's often called, has been on the rise in the last few years, especially since the sport made its Olympic debut back in 2020. You may have seen comp routes in your gyms and athletes crush at live events, but you might be wondering, "How exactly does competitive climbing differ from the rock climbing I'm used to?”

Welcome to the wild world of indoor climbing – where the walls and vibes are even higher. As you gear up for your vertical adventure, let's chat about some down-to-earth tips that'll keep you cruising through the climbs with style and respect for the whole climbing crew.

Climbing culture has a bit of a reputation. It is often depicted as an adventure sport that glorifies pushing grades, sending projects, and conquering new heights. The truth is that for many of us, climbing is not about grades or ego; it is about community, self-expression, and finding our flow. When our personal motivations do not align with the prevailing cultural norms or the expectations of our climbing partners, it can negatively impact our enjoyment of the sport and our progress. By embracing the diverse motivations within the climbing community, we can shift the focus toward creativity, self-expression, and the shared joy of being on the wall.

One of the biggest cruxes in climbing can be finding a climbing partner or two to climb with regularly. We've got some tips to help you make new friends and lifelong climbing partners.

Once I got into climbing, I started watching competitions. Well, I guess not all comps - specifically, the IFSC's (IFSC stands for International Federation of Sport Climbing) bouldering finals competitions. And while I don't climb in comps, even casually, I have learned a lot of great lessons and I recommend more climbers watch comps.

Do you remember your childhood memories and your ability to have innocent fun? Yes? Pick a number. 1-2-3. Pick a color. B-L-U-E. Pick another number. 1-2-3-4. We understand that adulting is sometimes difficult. The “real world” is challenging, but it does ironically expose a wonderful truth, which is that being an adult can be overrated. Picasso’s even on our side for this one (so you know it’s true): “It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child”. Reclaiming our innocence and the ability to break down our own barriers for fun is daunting. The first step is to get in the right mindset--rewind to your youth. Do you remember the old games of yore? Kick the can, the stick with a wooden circle rolly thing, pong, truth or dare, spin the bottle, creepy crawlers, the water level in Zelda? (Insert pause for melancholic sigh of remembrance). Recently, we’ve noticed our online community going bonkers for a silly, little game of “Would you Rather” and we thought we’d share the ones that seem to be getting downright heated. (To be fair, choosing between eating mayonnaise for the rest of your life or sweating mayonnaise for the rest of your life tends to do that). Enjoy!

Sunday morning provides crisp, fall air sifting through the madrone and oak trees as they shade the Tafoni Sandstone in Castle Rock State Park (CRSP). The costume party last night only contributes to my excitement, despite the lack of sleep. Rebolting has been so intriguing to me after years of seeing so much antiquated rock protection. I was overwhelmed at the opportunity to contribute to some local climbing areas. That morning, we set out with the Bay Area Climbers Coaltion (BACC) and gear provided by the American Safe Climbing Association (ASCA) to update some of the old bolts that protect the California Ridge area.

“I get knocked down, but I get up again, you’re never gonna keep me down…” -Chumbawumba