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 Transformator Competition - Katowice, Poland
Photos by Wojciech Kozakiewicz / www.vacaspurpuras.com - On November 28-29, 2009, over 300 climbers took on 22 boulder problems (19 in qualifiers and three long finals problems) for a 16 hour climb-a-thon, rage-till-dawn competition at Transformator, the indoor climbing gym in Katowice, Poland. The Transformator is the best climbing wall in the region with the most interesting spatial development in an original post industrial building. Unique atmosphere, good music and great passion for climbing. Visit: www.centrumtransformator.pl  Triple Crown Bouldering at the Stone Fort
Photos by Sam Silvey / samsilvey.com - The biggest and most bodacious outdoor boulder series was back again for the 7th time in 2009 and dedicated as ever to maintaining climber access by raising funds for the Southeastern Climbers' Coalition and The Carolina Climbers' Coalition. The series began at Hound Ears in Boone, NC on October 3rd then moved to Horse Pens-40 in Steele, AL on November 7th, and concluded at the Stone Fort in Chattanooga, TN (after a snow day) on December 6th. For more information and competition results visit: TripleCrownBouldering.org  Fantastical Fontainebleau
Photos by Jorg Kemner / chacana.net - During Easter weekend 2009 the youth club of Amsterdam's climbing gym De Klimmuur Centraal spent three days in the forest of Fontainebleau to experience the magic everyone is always talking about. The weather was pretty darn good and most of the rain that did fall, fell at night. The forest was a bit crowded at some areas, but luckily there are more than enough boulders for everyone. Because I twisted my ankle a week before departure, there would be no climbing for me — therefore I had all the time in the world to take photos. So this gallery captures the Amsterdam youngsters as well as a few other climbers.  Bouldering Norway
Photos by Laurent de Senarclens - Magnus Midtboe, one of Norway's top climbers, made some impressive highball ascents this fall (2009) on the granite of his homeland during a recent Mammut sponsored trip along with swiss aces Cyrille Albasini, Franz Widmer and World Cup champion Anna Stöhr. Magnus first "warmed up" with Good Year a 6-7 meter Font 7c+ first ascent (after a bit of cleaning and quick abseil) at the sea side boulders of Sirevag in the Rogaland region. Later on the trip at the area of Lysebotn (a world famous base jump location) Magnus made the first ascent of the 10 meter Hoka Hey (Font 7c+) after a couple top rope laps to inspect the rock and clean it up a bit. "Hoka Hey" roughly translates from the Sioux Indian saying "it's a nice day to die". -sq.jpg) Melloblocco 2009 - Val di Mello, Italy
Photos by Claudia Colonia - "Melloblocco" in Val di Mello, Italy is regarded as the the biggest, most famous international outdoor bouldering competition in the world. And for good reason, Val di Mello has over 700 awesome boulder problems, of which 300 were new for the May 7-10, 2009 event. Aside from the perfect rock and the marvelous scenery — as if that's not enough — the spirit of the event and the incredible performances from the many talented champions in attendance make for an unforgettable experience. In '09 over 2100 boulders plus 5000 spectators gathered from all over Italy and 37 different countries for the sixth annual event. For more information visit: www.melloblocco.it  Photos from the 2009 Yangshuo Climbing Festival
Photos by Rocker - On November 11-15, 2009, China's second annual Yangshuo Climbing Festival, sponsored by The North Face and Black Diamond commenced on Yangshuo's world class limestone with than 500 climbers in attendance. The week included clinics taught by Alex Honnold and Abond plus informative slide shows, a climbing treasure hunt, climbing videos, music, food, beer and socializing. The twin goals of the Yangshuo Climbing Festival are to promote a sense of community among climbers throughout China in a fun, friendly, and casual atmosphere and to support the sustainable development of rock climbing in the Yangshuo area. Visit: www.ysclimbfest.com.cn  Fear and Loathing from Bishop to Eldo
Photos by Tara Miller / jitterbugphoto.blogspot.com - Upon arriving in Bishop we were delightfully greeted by the blustery Buttermilk winds that leave you chasing down your crash pad. The kind of wind that gets you bonus points for setting your tent up in, all the while keeping your second eye out for baby rattlesnakes... the air was right, the sky was blue and the climbing had begun. Next stop was the Happy Boulders, before finally heading back east through Boulder's Eldorado Canyon... From walking across the table lands at dusk on the Sierra's east side, to rest days and shenanigans in the fine dive bars of Denver, this trip was one I will always remember.  From Colorado to Spain with Love
Photos by Cameron Maier / www.cameronmaier.com - Cameron Maier is based in Colorado's Front Range calling Estes Park, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs all home for different parts of the year. These images were shot in various parts of Colorado like Rocky Mountain National Park and other blocs scattered around the Boulder area. Also shown are few photos from a recent trip to the limestone of northeastern Spain featuring Dave Graham and Jon Cardwell. With Maier's photography he seeks out action, vibrant natural light and tries to capture the personalities of his friends on and off the rock as wells as just the rocks in their natural environments.  IMS Bouldercup - Brixen, Italy
Photos by Franz Walter / www.nanuuq.net - On November 3-8, 2009, the International Mountain Summit kicked off a week activities and presentations dedicated to everything about mountains and alpine sports in the Italian town of Bressanone/Brixen in the South Tyrol. Mountaineering legends like Reinhold Messner and Chris Bonington, plus a number of other world famous climbing celebrities attended the summit like: Steve House, Ines Papert, Peter Habeler, Hans Kammerlander, Stephan Siegrist, Simone Moro and Stefan Glowacz. Next to top-notch presentations a bouldering competition also took place complete with world cup competitors Kilian Fischhuber, Anna Stöhr, Jonas Baumann and Daniel Woods. For more info visit: www.ims.bz  DWS: The Mallorca Experience
Photos by Chris Weidner - Over three weeks in September, five North Face team members (Emily Harrington, Alex Honnold, James Pearson, Matt Segal and Cedar Wright), two photographers (Tim Kemple and Patrick Bagley), and eight other climbers (Sam Elias, Emily Brazenall, Beck Kloss, Matt Bird, George Taylor, Cerian Lewis, Emma Coombes and myself) rallied to the Spanish island of Mallorca that sits just east of the mainland in the Mediterranean Sea. On any given day there were between seven and twelve of us sharing a house, partying, and trying not to fall. The 20 to 60-foot limestone sea cliffs were our boulders, and the Med was our crash pad. Every climbing day involved salty air, humid rock, spoogy shoes, and extra chalk — plus an extraordinary dose of fear. Read more at DailyCamera.com.  2009 PSYCHEDELIA at The Spot Gym
Photos by Adam Bove / adambove.carbonmade.com - The craziest, most unique and bizarre climbing event of the year went down on Saturday, October 24th, at The Spot Bouldering Gym in Boulder, Colorado. Event number two of the fifth annual PSYCHEDELIA is more than just a bouldering comp — it's a black-light, dance around, pre-halloween, climb-for-all rave, with a costume contest and creative finals problems on glow-in-the-dark holds, complete with awesome raffles, free food from Wahoo's Fish Tacos as well as free beer from Avery Brewing Company. Don't miss next year! For more info visit: TheSpotGym.com  Climbing in Northern California
Photos by Alton Richardson / www.altonrichardson.com - This gallery features climbing from all around Northern California including Yosemite, Mickey’s Beach, Tahoe, Castle Rock State Park, Berkeley, Sonora and Bishop and also features many nor-cal climbers and local strongmen like Eric Sanchez and Jessie Palomino. Alton Richardson is a Northern California based photographer with a passion for documenting climbing and evolving the ways that climbing is photographed. His work is about being creative and organic while incorporating the natural elements of the outdoor world with a vision of innovation.  13th Annual Yank & Yard on Yale
Photos by Michael Clark / www.michaelclarkphoto.com - The Yank & Yard on Yale, kicking off Stone Age Climbing Gym's 2009 Prime8 Festival held on October 17th, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was one of the biggest bouldering comps the land of enchantment has ever seen. The problems were set by Timy Fairfield in collaboration with Stone Age's head route setter Lance Hadfield. This year included a $3000 cash purse for the top men and women competitors plus a huge prize raffle totaling over $6000 in value. Julian Buatista of Placentia, CA, took the win in the men's open class and Alex Puccio of Boulder, CO, won the women's. Live DJ, after competition party, awards ceremony complete with food, drink, and much merry making completed an action packed day. For more information and results visit: ClimbStoneAge.com -sq.jpg) Austrians In Rocklands, South Africa
Photos by Emanuel Moosburger - Emanuel Moosburger of Innsbruck, Austria recently amassed an impressive ticklist from July 27 – September 12, 2009, during a trip to the sandstone bouldering mecca, Rocklands in South Africa. Highlights were about 30 problems V10 and harder including: 11 V11s, 6 V12s, 5 V13s and a V14 repeat (at night by headlamp) of Fred Nicole’s Mooiste Maise that was believed to be unclimbable after a crucial hold had broken. One of Moosburger’s prized days consisted of sending Royksopp (V11), Armed Response (V13) and The Vice (V13) all in a single day. Shown in this gallery are some of the problems from his trip mentioned above plus: Tea Lady Roof (V9), Pinotage Sit (V10), Roof is on Fire (V5), Caroline (V10), Human Energy (V6/7) and more.  Hound Ears, NC - 2009 Triple Crown Bouldering Series
Photos by Jeff Zimmerman / JeffZimmermanPhotography.com - On October 3rd, 2009, hundreds of climbers converged at the Hound Ears boulders near Boone for their once a year chance to climb on one of North Carolina's choicest boulderfields. Jimmy Webb scored the win in the Men's Open category this year and Sasha DiGuilian was victorious the Women's Open. Visit triplecrownbouldering.org to see the full results. The next event will be held at Horse Pens-40 in Steele, AL on November 7th, and will conclude at the Stone Fort in Chattanooga, TN on December 5th. |
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