The First Ascent box set launched today, featuring cutting edge footage, from the first ropeless climb of Half Dome to Johnny Copp and Micah Dash’s tragic expedition to western China.
August 26th, 2010 | BJ Sbarra | 0 comments | ContinuedNews
Rifle Mountain Park Clean-up This Saturday
A quick heads up to all Rifle climbers out there that this weekend, Saturday, August 21st, is the annual Rifle Mountain Park Clean-up day. This yearly get together is a day to go out and climb, pick up trash and perhaps help out with a few more major projects as well, such as fixing bridges [...]
August 19th, 2010 | BJ Sbarra | 2 comments | Continued
Reel Rock Filmmaking Competition
It’s that time of year again. The entries are in and you can check out the contestants in the 2010 Reel Rock Filmmaking Competition. There are some quality entries, along with some not so great ones, but regardless this is the perfect way to waste some time on a Friday afternoon.
The deadline for voting is [...]
Best of Summer Outdoor Retailer 2010
I had good intentions. All of my appointments would be in the morning and early afternoon, leaving the evenings free for some climbing. Somehow the OR Show just has a way o f taking over, however, and climbing didn’t happen. We did get to check out a lot of the latest and greatest coming out [...]
August 12th, 2010 | BJ Sbarra | Comments Off | Continued
Western Slope Access Alerts
Two access issues have popped up recently that we wanted to help spread the word about. The first is a little farther afield, in Moab, Utah, at Arches National Park. They are developing a climbing and canyoneering management plan that will take into account things like fixed anchors, permits for new routes, access trails, resource [...]
August 10th, 2010 | BJ Sbarra | 6 comments | Continued
SplitterChoss on Facebook & OR Updates
It’s official, SplitterChoss.com has joined the Facebook masess. You can find us at www.facebook.com/splitterchoss, so be sure to head on over there and like us, if that’s what you’re into.
August 2nd, 2010 | BJ Sbarra | 0 comments | Continued
Wildfire Burning in Main Elk Creek
Driving home from Rifle yesterday, we were awed by the sight in front of us. A huge column of dark smoke was billowing skyward until it met the building storm clouds high in the atmosphere. The plumes were moving upward at what looked like a thousand feet per minute, and it looked less like a forest fire and more like a huge bomb had been dropped on Main Elk Creek.
July 21st, 2010 | BJ Sbarra | 1 comment | Continued
Climbing Leads to Addiction?
I’m not usually a fan of Outside Magazine, but occasionally some decent writing ends up in there, and a recent article written by a friend of mine is one such exception. In it, Matt Samet chronicles how his obsession with climbing lead to anxiety and panic attacks that he medicated with drugs, and how that lead to a drug addiction that nearly claimed his life.
July 15th, 2010 | BJ Sbarra | 5 comments | Continued
PSA: Leave the Lowering ‘Biners Alone!
This is a public service announcement brought to you by the Western Slope Choss Association in conjunction with the People Who Climb Sport After Work Club. An increasing problem being reported at sport crags from Colorado to Quebec is people stealing lowering carabiners off anchors.
May 27th, 2010 | BJ Sbarra | 1 comment | Continued
Access Fund Land Conservation Campaign
Unfortunately, we live in a country where climbing is a fringe activity, and as such, is given little respect by the general public. Even organizations that should be on the same page, like the National Park Service, continue to threaten climbing access. In order to step up efforts to preserve and protect climbing areas across the country, the Access Fund has launched a really great new program: the Access Fund Land Conservation Campaign.
May 20th, 2010 | BJ Sbarra | 1 comment | Continued
Bouldering for Bolts
Just got wind of a fundraiser on Saturday, May 22nd at the Grand Junction Climbing Center. The proceeds will go to the Western Colorado Climbers’ Coaltion, which presumably will use the funds for bolt replacement projects at local areas like Unaweep Canyon.
May 14th, 2010 | BJ Sbarra | 0 comments | Continued
Black Diamond Equipment Going Public
On the surface it sounds like the demise of yet another core outdoor company: Black Diamond Equipment is merging with Gregory Packs and going public under the name of Black Diamond Equipment. However, unlike some recent examples, this is considered, at least by the folks on the inside that I talked with, to be a [...]
May 11th, 2010 | BJ Sbarra | 1 comment | Continued
Red River Gorge iPhone App is Here
The much anticipated Red River Gorge climbing guidebook app from Wolverine Publishing is now available through the iTunes store. Since I use the cell phone company with the red map, I don’t have an iPhone, but I did find a thorough review over at Mountain Project. Also, Dave Pegg sent me this promo video which [...]
May 4th, 2010 | BJ Sbarra | 2 comments | Continued
Yeah, but you'd need a 30' or 40' stick at the City! 
ha, coming off a 2 week climbing trip, climbing only the t-radest lines, i took a break from nuts and ...
Someone buy Sam a cordless grinder. Sheesh dude, retire the boltcutters! 
We took a couple photos of you guys on shan's phone, I will try to post them on facebook today, ...
Sounds like a post I wrote the last time I visited smith rock. That place can be pretty humbling. You ...
Great review Tracy! 
FYI, the Hadley Gulch Trail is open as of the beginning of August 
Dude. These things look freaking awesome. I want a pair. 
Washing the rope will remove, or mostly remove, whatever dry treatment was left on the rope. I thought someone sells, ...