The times are a changing

Rockman started climbing in 1990.  A lot has changed in the sport in the past 20 years.  Back in the day people wore spandex pants and you were something if you could climb 5.12.  Climbing gyms and manufactured climbing holds were just making their way into climbers hands and people were having ethical debates about "sport climbing".  These were good times.  One constant in these last twenty years, in Rockman's mind, was a employee own climbing gear company called Black Diamond.

Black Diamond was purchased from it's founder (and founderer?) and climbing pioneer Yvon Chouinard.   Chouinard (a blacksmith by trade) made and sold some of the best pitons in the country starting in 1957.  Always a being on the front of a trend, he revolutionized the sport by introducing "clean climbing", using removable protection from climbs instead crack-damaging pitons.  He did this in 1974 the same year he patented the Hexentrics. In 1989, after facing several lawsuits for manufacturing climbing that wasn't defective but lacked sufficient warnings about the dangers of climbing, Chouinard sold the company.   

Black Diamond Equipment has gone on to set the standard in climbing equipment.  They manufacture some of the best carabiners, climbing protection and harnesses.  Their Camalot (C4) is the camming protection of choice for most traditional climbers.  They have helped climbers around the world make bigger, bolder ascents, as well as, allowed regular joes, like Rockman to get some high quality climbing gear at a reasonable price.

On May 10th, Black Diamond announced they were purchased by Clarus Corporation.  This news rocked Rockman's world.  This great employee owned company is going to be merged with Gregory Mountain Products into some sort of conglomerate company.  What does this mean for us the end user?  Only time will tell.  Better products?  More innovation?  Quick emphasis on profits and a quick resale?  This is what Peter Metcalf, the Ceo of Bd, has to say about the change,

What is not changing? Our commitment to our mission vision and values, and our efforts to help write the stories of the sports and the communities which inspire us.  This shared passion is the universal Esperanto that connects us with fellow climbers & skiers no matter where we are. We view this new route in front of us as not only a method to growth, but as a collaborative effort through which we will strengthen and expand the way we do business and our community of fellow users.

The thing Rockman knows for a fact is the times they are a changing. Good luck Black Diamond we have our fingers crossed.

In The Spirit Of Adventure,

Rockman

Big Up Productions: The Insiders

Big Up Productions has been setting the standard for high quality climbing videos.  One of their most recent films is The Insiders.   This films will help any climber that has been lacking a little motivation get off the ground.  Enjoy.



In The Spirit Of Adventure,

You may be a climber from Wisconsin if......

You have seen You may be a ________ if you .... lists about rednecks, dog lovers and lots of other groups but here is our chance.  Feel free to add a comment if you have your own additions.

You may be a climber from Wisconsin if........

.....you own more than 100ft of tubular webbing.

......you think 8 hours is a quick drive to go climbing.

......you yell "Rope" regardless of if their is any one around you.

..... you walk (or drive) twenty minutes between Boulder problems

.....you have ever said a hold is "out" on climb outside.

....you think guide books should show you an aerial view of a crag.

...you think is chalk is controversial.

....you care what DFLA stands for.

.... your hexes are your most frequently used climbing gear.

....you have ever seen a man in a pinstripe suit at the crags.

....you have ever traded a bush for a camp site.

...you have a hard time trusting your feet where ever you climb.

Lets keep the list going.

In The Spirit Of Advenutre,

Rockman

Name That Derriere V2

If you have every taking any pictures of people climbing, it has inevitably happened to you. The "Butt Shot".  If you don't remember what color your friend's pants were that day,  you may not remember who the climber was. Mostly those pictures are useless. That is why Rockman came up with his new segment/contest Name That Derriere.  Here is how it works.  Look at the three photos;  try to identify  the Adventure Rock members pictured.  E-mail your answers to rockman@adventurerock.com.  The winner will receive a Kreig Chalk Bag, one of these bad boys will fancy up your derriere for sure.  All submissions will need to be in by May 22nd, 2010.  Winner will be chosen at random from the most accurate submissions.  Here are the photos:

 All photos taken by Lauren Goodspeed

Now, for the moment you all have been waiting for........

And the winners chosen at random from the hundreds of correct answers are Sarah Brengosz, Lauren Goodspeed and JJ Czaplewski.  They will each receive a Kreig chalk bag.  Please keep the submissions of Name That Derriere photos coming.

In The Spirit Of Adventure

Rockman