School has started up again for winter quarter, and the new climbing team has now officially formed. We held our inaugural practice this past Tuesday and had a great turn out! Over twenty students joined on the team. Everyone is really enthusiastic and excited to climb which makes for a great dynamic. The team is composed of both undergrad and grad students from all over the world, which collectively gives a very diverse set of climbing experiences. Most of the team has climbed for a while, but we also have some who are just getting started. The team will allow a large group of the climbing community on campus to train hard together with the ultimate goals of both competing and climbing outdoors and also having fun. We’re practicing in the on-campus gym, with supplemental training for some at the Planet Granite Sunnyvale gym nearby. The first CCS competitions start in February, so it won’t be long before we’re dominating the competition scene (and I’ll be repping my FiveTen’s)! I’ll be helping coach the team, which I think will be a great experience. For many years I’ve been the one being coached (and by one of the best, Scot Jenerik), and now I’m getting a chance to see the other side. In the next few months and even years, I’m sure that I’ll learn a lot from the experience of coaching that will also benefit my climbing.