Lake Travis Bouldering is gearing up to open this spring in Bee Cave, Texas, just northwest of Austin. The gym is led by Rashell Backer, President, and Colin Backer, Director of Operations. The Backers ventured into this endeavor after successfully selling their cleaning business, established in 2016. “After searching for the right opportunity, it became […]
Gravity Bear Opens in Downtown Tulsa
On August 2, 2025, Gravity Bear, a bouldering-focused gym, officially opened its doors in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founder Parker Simms described the venture as a “perfect timing” moment between himself and the local climbing community. After serving 11 years in the military, Simms relocated to Tulsa in 2021 to be closer to his children. Transitioning […]
Strength for the Wall: A Beginner’s Blueprint
Caught the climbing bug? Good. Now let’s talk about transforming that enthusiasm into genuine capability—building strength that serves your climbing rather than merely inflating your ego. The path from novice to competent climber runs through consistency and intelligent practice. Before you realize it, “beginner” will no longer describe what you do. Technique First, Muscle Second […]
The Essence of Trad Climbing
Traditional climbing, often termed “trad” climbing, is the original style of protected rock climbing. In this method, climbers ascend natural rock formations like cracks and faces, placing removable gear for safety as they go. Once the climb is complete, this gear is removed, leaving no trace behind. This contrasts sharply with sport climbing, where permanent […]
Mobility for Climbers: Moving Better, Climbing Stronger
Mobility—your capacity to move freely and controllably through functional range of motion—determines what positions you can access and how effectively you can use them. In climbing, this translates directly to performance and injury resilience. Flexibility provides reach; stability provides power. Without both, technical execution collapses. Consider the drop knee: impossible without hip rotation capacity, useless […]
Odyssey Climbing Expands to Appleton, Wisconsin
On September 9, 2025, Odyssey Climbing unveiled its second mixed-discipline climbing gym in Appleton, Wisconsin. Situated approximately 30 minutes southwest of their first location in Green Bay, this new gym aims to cater to the distinct climbing community in the region. Founders Ben Ganther and Sam Howard initially launched their first facility in February 2023, […]
Why Climbers Need the Weight Room
Climbing delivers full-body transformation—grip strength, proprioception, mobility, cognitive engagement—so completely that it seduces practitioners into believing it sufficient. This assumption limits potential. For those seeking stronger performance, extended sessions, and injury resilience, resistance training demands inclusion. Climbing develops coordination, technical precision, and finger-specific capacity. What it often neglects: general strength, particularly in larger muscle groups. […]
Russian and Belarusian Federations Reinstated by World Climbing with Neutral Athlete Policy
As of February 11, 2026, Russian and Belarusian climbers are no longer barred from World Climbing events, a suspension that lasted since March 2022. The recent meeting of the World Climbing Executive Board in Torino, Italy, resulted in the reinstatement of both national federations. However, athletes from these countries must now comply with the Neutral […]