A few years ago, fresh from a five-month hiatus from climbing in order to write a book of poetry (I know, right?), I had an epiphany that continues to affect me today—and not just any old epiphany, either, but one of those serious, earth-shattering, I-can-still-feel-it-in-my-bones sort of thing. It came on suddenly, so strong I nearly fainted. I was at the climbing gym that n … [Read more...]
Best Ogden Ice Climbs
Utah is a hub of outdoor recreation at any time of year. But if you aren’t into skiing, what can you do once all that “greatest snow on earth” starts to fall? With the right gear, climbing season doesn’t need to end. Utah is full of ice climbing routes, and if you’re in Ogden, you have some in your own backyard. This is not a comprehensive guide to these routes. Ice climbing … [Read more...]
Youth Climbing Program—Momentum Indoor Climbing
Lead climbing, top roping, crack climbing, and bouldering can all be done indoors at Momentum Indoor Climbing gyms (Momentum). “Indoor climbing is an up-and-coming sport,” Katie Thorup, Momentum’s youth program regional manager for Utah, says. “Climbing has made it into the 2020 Olympics, giving kids the opportunity to take this extreme sport to higher levels.” Mo Mini, Base … [Read more...]
Sami Singleton—One of the Nation’s First Climbing Olympians?
Rock climbing will be making its Olympic debut in 2020, leaving many younger climbers across the nation vying for a spot on the team. Among them is Utah’s own Sami Singleton—an up-and-coming athlete worth watching. Utah’s Rocky Mountains offer some of the best in the world for rock climbers. But oftentimes, the mountainous state often produces its own star climbers. Starting … [Read more...]
A Different Kind of Rock Star—Justin Wood
When he’s not setting up store openings and trade shows displays as a visual designer for outdoor retail giant Patagonia, you can find Justin Wood hanging by his fingertips at the world’s most renowned bouldering competitions. As a bouldering guru, Justin is a known quantity in the climbing community, especially in Utah. Bouldering is a sport in which climbers scale boulders … [Read more...]
Steve Maisch Climbing Training Tips
If hanging by your fingertips from a sheer rock face sounds daunting and completely intimidating, there is a way newbies can safely train from the ground up. Indoor climbing gyms have made it possible for anyone who wants to partake in this type of “outdoor” adventure to gain some valuable and safe experience before heading out for the real thing. Fortunately, there are cli … [Read more...]