One of the foundational techniques we cover in our introductory climbing classes is the effective use of holds crafted by our skilled routesetters. Even if you’re the strongest climber in the gym, using holds incorrectly—like an undercling—can easily send you off the wall. Let’s explore some common climbing holds and how to utilize each one […]
The Importance of Choosing the Right Climbing Shoes
Your first pair of climbing shoes significantly influences your climbing experience. If they’re too tight, you’ll find yourself wincing instead of climbing. Conversely, if they’re too loose, you might question why your feet keep slipping off holds that others stick to confidently. It’s common to see beginners opt for aggressive, downturned shoes after observing advanced […]
Touchstone Climbing Opens Hyperion in Redwood City
On May 5, 2025, Touchstone Climbing unveiled Hyperion, its 18th facility, in Redwood City, California, strategically located between San Francisco and San Jose. This mixed-discipline climbing gym will expand its offerings with roped climbing amenities slated for completion by 2026, just months before Touchstone celebrates its 30th anniversary. Founders Debra and Mark Melvin first launched […]
Route Reading: The Skill Most Climbers Ignore
The default pattern: grab holds, fail two moves in, drop, declare insufficient strength. Sometimes accurate. Usually wrong. Rapid improvement demands pre-departure planning—transforming random attempts into intentional execution. This is route reading: constructing movement sequences, body positions, recovery points, and contingencies before leaving the ground. The Five Critical Questions Effective preview answers: Where does difficulty concentrate? […]
Why Kids Belong on the Wall: Five Transformations
Remember childhood climbing? Trees, playground structures, parental anxiety about woodchips and hard landings. What if there existed a space where children could scramble to genuine heights without catastrophic risk—a place that simultaneously forged confidence, social capability, and physical literacy? Indoor climbing has exploded precisely because it delivers this improbable combination. Your kids stand to gain […]
Blocworks Expands with New Location in Midtown, Oklahoma City
In January 2025, Blocworks Climbing launched its second bouldering gym in Midtown, Oklahoma City, five years after the first facility opened in Edmond, Oklahoma. Entrepreneurs Mariah and Evan Small identified a significant opportunity in the local climbing market, prompting them to explore areas suitable for a second location. The Midtown space presented itself unexpectedly when […]
Climbing Gym Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules, Written
You’ve started a route only to realize it intersects with another climber’s line. You’ve stood frozen at a boulder’s base, working sequences mentally, while a queue formed behind you. These moments define the beginner experience—and they’re universal. Everyone started somewhere. If proper gym etiquette remains mysterious, consider this your field guide. Don’t self-flagellate over past […]
Delicious NoBake Bar Recipes
These nobake bars offer a nutritious and tasty alternative to packaged snacks. They are swift to prepare, requiring minimal effort and no baking time, making them perfect for onthego individuals. Here are four easy recipes that each require less than 30 minutes of handson time, followed by a chilling or cooling period. Chocolate Orange […]