411 - #8 > December 2005/January 2006

Droppin' Science
In September, Timy Fairfield and Chris Wall teamed up to teach the first Performance Climbing Training Camp for competition climbers at Earth Treks in Timonium, Maryland. Organized by Claudiu Vidulescu and Tyson Atwell, the weekend program catered to dedicated youth who are committed to climbing and performing at their limit. A first of its kind, registration was on the down low, but filled up rather quickly. The day before the camp, the participants' coaches were treated to a coaching seminar, in an effort to help standardize coaching. The Climbing Lab will be offering another Junior Performance Training Camp in the Southeast at Adrenaline Gym in Atlanta, Georgia on January 21st and 22nd.

Mammut Bouldering Championships
NE2C, the guys behind the highballs, banisters, and lunacy of last year's North Eastern Bouldering Championships, are hard at work and going more over the top than ever. This year's Mammut Bouldering Championships will mark the third year of their tour, bringing three of the biggest comps in the country to Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. No matter where you are, you can be a part of the huge, two day events either in the redpoint session where you can climb on over 100 brand new problems or in the pro division, with some of the best climbers anywhere, as you compete in an exciting World Cup format for over $20,000 in cash. With presenting sponsors Mad Rock and eGrips, and media partners UCMAG, Kemple Media, and Indevisual Productions, this year's tour is ready to blow up big! So check out boulderingcomps.com for updates, media, and tour info.

The Gathering
Now in its second year, Muir Valley's annual trail building and maintenance event dubbed the GATHERING (Greater Access To Help Everyone Rejoice In Nature's Goodness), held on the weekend of September 24-25th, is fast becoming one of the biggest affairs of its kind. Nearly 100 registered volunteers worked hard throughout the day despite the intense heat and humidity with a food crew on hand to provide refreshments and sustenance at different times of the day. Climbers were thrilled to show their gratitude to Rick and Liz Weber for purchasing 400 acres of land in the Pine Ridge region of Eastern Kentucky and opening it to the public as a recreational area and nature preserve.
The quality and quantity of work done by the 13 various teams in such a short amount of time was a tremendous achievement. A total number of 15 trails (three of which were equipped with wooden steps), two bridges, and 17 signs were installed throughout the Valley.
It was a day filled with good vibes as strangers of different ages from all over joined the Who's Who of Red River Gorge climbing. A plethora of door prizes were handed out to the volunteers. Dusk fell as everyone gathered around to watch a slideshow presentation put together by Tim Yates, which featured photographs that he took of the different teams at work throughout the day. The evening was indeed a big celebration of excellent food, great friends, and good times."

Mountains in the Gym
As part of the sponsorship agreement, Mountain Khakis will outfit all members of the National Route Setting Team for the Youth Bouldering Nationals, the ABS Nationals, the Youth Difficulty and Speed Nationals and the Adult Roped Nationals.
The National Route Setting Team will don Mountain Khakis during events scheduled from February through July. The most experienced route setters in the country, this group selected Mountain Khakis as their pant of choice during the USAC Adventures event in NYC this past June, at the USAC Youth Difficulty and Speed Nationals in Boston this past July, and at the Summer Outdoor Retailer competition in Salt Lake City this past August. "We are extremely pleased to have Mountain Khakis on board as a sponsor," said Anne-Worley Bauknight, Executive Director of USA Climbing. "Their pants are favorites of many of the professional and recreational climbers in our program, and we are grateful for their support."