It has taken a little while, but I’m starting to get the hang of things at college. I’m getting better at organizing my time – that way I can climb more often! Just this past weekend, a buddy of mine and I went to Castle Rock and did a lot of the classic problems there including Hueco Wall, Mr. Magoo, and Bates Problem as well as some more challenging climbs. Castle Rock has a very characteristic climbing style with a combination of slopers and tiny crimps. It’s quite different than what I’ve previously climbed outdoors, but it does allow for some really cool moves – usually involving toe-hooks and heel-hooks. We’re hoping to go back soon.

During the week, I usually go to the Planet Granite gyms near campus, but I’m finding that there is now a very strong climbing community evolving on campus. I’ve met a bunch of both undergrads and graduate students over the past few weeks who are just starting to climb more seriously. Although Stanford is currently building a larger climbing gym, there is not yet an established team. So, a group of us has been meeting with the athletic directors to try to create one. We’ve already submitted a pre-proposal and we hope to get regular practices going in the winter. With all of the interested students, it should be a really strong group! And as these students improve, I’ve been sure to recommend Five Ten.