Stronghold Climbing Gym

TrailMothers and the Trailmothers Stewardship Community is doing commendable work to keep Stoney Point beautiful! They are not meeting right now due to the COVID-19 spike, but please consider volunteer work with them in the future, or helping virtually, by volunteering as a moderator on their page. Or help them in spirit by picking up a few pieces of trash next time you're outside. Thank you Kristen Hernandez and all peeps who are acting as good stewards of our local climbing areas!

George Whitmore was on the first ascent of El Cap in 1958. He passed away of COVID-19 on New Year's Day. He was active and in good health until a couple of weeks ago. [[ Please do not meet up with people outside of your household and take all measures to slow the spread of this disease. ]] https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article248238880.html

Happy Winter Solstice 2020! Wishing everyone strength and peace. Los Angeles is starting to tilt back toward the light.

Yoga Flow with Alli. Finish out the year by staying strong and healthy until we meet again.

Good to see this article in the Washington Post. https://www.thelily.com/climbing-routes-are-riddled-with-r/

Our hearts are leadened with the loss of Garrett Falls Lockhart. Garrett was a creative force and a talented musician, with a wicked sense of humor and immense personal style. He was a friend to many staff members and former staff members and kind to everyone in his path. He leaves a huge hole in the gym community. We are grateful for every moment we shared. Sending love to everyone who feels this loss, and especially to Garrett's cousin Dexter Lockhart Jenks. Garrett, we love you and will never forget you. Thank you for walking among us. Photos by Rean Park and Kris Hing.

In the good news file this week: Californian Emily Harrington sent the 3000 foot route Golden Gate on El Cap in just 21 hours. She first freed the route in 2015 and had the sub-24 hour tick on her mind since. Only three other people have sent the route in a day (Brad Gobright, Alex Honnold, and Tommy Caldwell), and Emily is the first woman to do so. She is a five-time National sport-climbing champion, and has summited high-altitude peaks like Ama Dablam, Cho Oyo and Everest. Emily also trained at the Stronghold earlier this year - we like to think it helped on El Cap . Huge congrats to Emily!

Dispatch from New Zealand: Member Bob Chow and friend of the gym Simon Carr beginning a climb at Long Beach. Competent science-based leadership by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and near-total cooperation from citizens stopped community spread of coronavirus in it's tracks twice. Search for New Zealand 'Alert Level 3' to learn about how a strict shutdown operates there, which was imposed when there was evidence of community spread. Many lives were saved. Climbers can now enjoy their local gyms and crags with limited restrictions (though they remain in 'Alert Level 1' which means that they remain vigilant). There is now no known community spread of coronavirus in New Zealand and no businesses are closed.

Winter and rain is upon us again! As you crush this season, please keep in mind that all rock (and especially sandstone and other more porous types) is fragile and is very easily damaged when wet. Holds on favorite routes can easily rip off. So make sure that at least a couple of days have gone by since it has last rained before you pull down. In certain conditions (cloudy days, short days around the solstice) it may even take longer for the layers below the surface to dry out. If in doubt, wait it out. Hat tip to staff member Kris for this reminder. We look forward to climbing together with you indoors at the gym as soon as conditions in LA County allow. Stay safe everyone!

Come to Brewery Art Walk this year! As always it is a wonderful way to see the art and creativity of our neighbors. This year, it will be virtual for the first time - so that you enjoy the art without spreading the virus. You're invited and it's free - save the date!

A big thank you to The Eastsider LA and journalist Brenda Rees for covering the sad state of local gyms during the pandemic. You can read the article here: https://www.theeastsiderla.com//article_5ec1debe-050f-11eb, which also features Bodybuilders Gym in Silver Lake. We wish the LA County Supervisors (including our rep Hilda Solis) would support gyms with grants - they helped breweries with $10M in grant money, and unlike breweries, we have been forced to stop all operatio...ns, (unfortunately we can't bottle our fine climbing routes for you to enjoy at home - we wish that that were possible). We will do whatever needed to protect the health of our community, including close for HALF A YEAR, but we want the burden to be recognized by government. If you are a member of our community, we do not want your charity. We want you to call every person you know in a swing state and get them to vote. We want you to demand a government that supports small businesses and the health of the people. Our staff and our business deserve a whole lot better than we have gotten from the current Congress and the current administration. Please do whatever you can to be part of the change. See more

Great to see Stronghold climber Natt Supab back in action after a three-year involuntary break due to injury! It must feel good. You know what else feels good? Voting after these four years since we've last had the chance to cast a ballot for who gets to fill the White House. If you're eligible to vote, please make a plan and get it done. Small businesses like the Stronghold are counting on voters to make solid choices. Send this thing!

Our friend and Stronghold Climbing Team athelete, Connor Wang, has an ongoing project to introduce underserved LA kids to rock climbing. He calls it Rock On Without Limits. Connor's been on a mission to do this sort of thing for years, and is going for another grant to continue this project into next year. To get the grant, he needs your votes! Click here: bit.ly/dkfvote, and scroll to the bottom of the page to vote for Connor!

Happy Global Climbing Day! We celebrated with a Southern California Climbers Coalition clean-up at Stoney Point (there were parallel cleanups at Malibu Creek and Holcomb), and managed to bag up tons & tons of trash. A huge thank you to the climbers who came out in the heat to give some TLC to the local spots. If you couldn't join, join in spirit whenever you're next outside by carrying out a few extra pieces of trash - it all adds up. Our local crags are getting a lot of use during the pandemic, and while it's excellent people are able to enjoy time outside, some of the most beautiful spots are getting really "trashed". Our community of climbers can step up to be a part of the solution by educating new climbers on Leave No Trace ethics & always packing out what we bring in.

Join us this Saturday morning, August 22, in giving our local crags some TLC! We will be celebrating Global Climbing Day with the Southern California Climbers Coalition by removing trash at Stoney Point, Malibu Creek, and Holcomb. Register at https://strongholdclimb.com/cleanups More details: Small groups (limited to 15 total in each area) meet up at 8 AM in the parking lot of each area and work as long as heat/energy/the situation allows, or until 11 AM. The point person wil...l provide garbage bags and take away the trash at the end of the morning. Social distancing and masks required! We discourage car-pooling with members outside your household. Please bring: Masks, sunscreen, gloves if desired, lots of water, snacks if desired. Bring climbing gear if you'd like to climb on your own after the clean-up.

Great shots of staff member Mety. We miss seeing everyone in real life though! #Repost @climbthegap --- Meet Mety. Mety started climbing in the gym since he was a kid, the same gym where he now works*. When he's not working at the front desk or coaching kids, he volunteers his time belaying the participants of our Beta Session. Other than climbing, his other passion includes surfing, and riding his bike. -... The first five pictures are or him climbing trad outdoors for the first time. - - @metyennn @climbing4change @melaninbasecamp - * @strongholdclimb is currently closed due to Covid19 as of this post See more

The California State Park system is amazing. Right here in our backyard is the new Los Angeles State Historic Park (providing green space in Chinatown), the Rio de Los Angeles State Park (with the bike path), and of course Malibu Creek State Park and Point Dume (with beautiful local climbing). California State Parks include 280 miles of coastline, 625 miles of lake and river frontage, 18,000 campsites and 3,000 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. The California ...State Parks Foundation (CSPF) is an independent non-profit which works to protect our 280 state parks and promote inclusive and equitable access. CSPF turns 50 this year - we're grateful for their half century of stewardship. They are raising awareness about their work with a very sweet giveaway with help from New Belgium Brewing which has been a great partner to us for events at the gym) - you could win climbing gear from Mad Rock Climbing and a lot more ---check out https://www.instagram.com/p/CD4JqtFnatz/ for details and follow them to stay tuned in to their work for our parks. Wishing everyone a good weekend - stay cool & recreate responsibly so that we can get this pandemic under control! : Kimmie Tu at Malibu Creek See more

Here's Natalie Carr embodying the fortitude we need to pull through the next few months! And while we have your attention, we want to ask two things: 1) Are you registered to vote at your current address? If not, you can register here: https://registertovote.ca.gov/ If you are not sure and you live in LA county, it takes 30 seconds to check, just go to https://www.lavote.net/vrstatus/. 2) Could you please take extra-good care of the outdoor areas you visit? We all need ...natural beauty more than ever, and you can help by carrying out more trash than you carry in. We will be organizing small-team crag cleanups with the Southern California Climber's Coalition later this month, to put some elbow work into our most-loved local crags. #Repost @_natalie_carr_ --- Whippersnapper 12a @Echo Cliffs sent! Thanks @mi77z for the pictures and @eric_fallecker for a catch. When you face a challenge you constantly asking yourself "what if I can't do it? what if I'll take a fall?" The only thing I can tell for sure it's if you won't try it you would never know. And I saw so many people just give up a step from success. That last moment when you think you can't do it it's a moment between a success and a failure.. And you're the only one to make a choice. Just make that move and you'll surprise yourself! That's why I love climbing! It's a constant challenge of your mental and physical abilities. You grow only when you push the boundaries. Climb on! #climbing #climbinggirls #stronghold #echocliffs #livingthedream @ Stronghold Climbing Gym

We want to thank the amazing teachers Sondra, Murphy, Allison, Medvis, Chris, Camille, Nicole, Devin, Maggie, and Yannica who have led virtual yoga and fitness classes for our community during the pandemic. Their classes have been a lifeline during difficult days and have helped us stay healthy and in balance. Unfortunately, in order to best prepare the gym to ride out our closure, we had to make the difficult decision to pause additional classes for now. The extensive arc...hive of past classes will remain available via our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pg/StrongholdClimbing/videos/. Past classes are free for anyone and everyone to take. Classes include: Yoga For Climbers with Sondra Kundalini with Murphy Vinyasa Yoga with Allison Yoga For Climbers with Camille Vinyasa Yoga with Nicole Core and Calisthenics with Devin Restorative Yoga with Maggie Power Yoga with Yannica and special clinics on Handstands with Chris and Bar and Hangboard Exercises with Medvis , via our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKGzdJ2iH1uWy7C0dllwFUw/. Again, a big thanks to the teachers - we are so grateful for the energy you have brought to the gym community during these past few months. We hope that our community will continue to take past classes and do everything possible to stay healthy. We look forward to being in a position to resume classes! See more

The moon setting before dawn behind the 13,240' summit of Basin Peak (viewed from 26 miles away), in the White Mountains. Photo taken by friend of the gym Brian Yanity with an iPhone through a telescope.

This class focuses on the 1st Chakra- the root. We will practice getting grounded and feeling a sense of solidity and stillness in our bodies. From a grounded place we can rise and soar! In-Joy!

Sunset over Corpse Wall, the cooler night air starting to roll in. We're holding on to moments like this.

Build strength, power, flexibility and balance to complement your climbing.

Flow and Let Go: Slow Burn and Breathe Deeply

A few more blasts from the past to get your present-day stoke high. These shots are all from the extensive Mountain magazine archive donated to the community library by Brock Wagstaff. 1. Joyce Bracht on Ariel Book (5.11), Eldorado Canyon, Colorado, 1984. 2. Randy Leavitt on The Vector (5.11+), Joshua Tree, California.... 3. Barbara Devine, Foops Trap (5.11), Gunks, New York, 1984. 4. John Bachar, Midnight Lightening, Yosemite, CA. 5. Alison Osius, Open Cockpit (5.11), Gunks, New York, 1984. 6. Randy Leavitt on Piasano Overhang (5.12c), Suicide Rock, California. 7. George Walch on Sunshine Dihedral (5.11d/5.12a), Smith Rock, Oregon, 1986. 8. John Long, Kong. 9. Yosemite crack. 10. Joshua Tree face. @ Stronghold Climbing Gym

Sunday Restorative with Maggie + Live Ambient Synth (by Astral Peaks)

Today's class will be focused on the lower body. We will practice various core exercises that correspond to lower body movements. The class will lead up to performing pistol squats, which are a form of single leg squats. All exercises will be modifiable for any experience level. Join and have fun!

Brock Wagstaff is a long-time California climber, (shown in the 2nd to last photo in good style on a 1976 ascent of the Nose on El Cap and in the last photo recently with his daughter; photo credit: Stronghold member and his climbing partner John Wiley). Brock worked as a guide at Lover's Leap, and would buy issues of Mountain Magazine as they came in from the UK; receipts from small California climbing shops long gone are still tucked into the pages of his issues from the 7...0s. Mountain chronicled the development of technical climbing around the world, and its pages reflect many important milestones, from the advent of camming devices, to the development of clean climbing ethics, to the successes of women in the vertical world. Brock is giving his archive from 1973 - 1985 of Mountain to the community library at the gym. We are incredibly honored to host this incredible repository of climbing history. Brock's generosity will allow us all to connect to the mountain psyche that came before us and deepen our own. Since our library (and the whole gym) is closed for the foreseeable future, we have snapped some photos of just a tiny sample of the pages in this archive, for your virtual viewing pleasure. Many thanks to Brock Wagstaff - we wish him many more amazing climbs, this year and beyond. If you see this man 'out in the wild' please pour him a tipple of his favorite drink -- red wine!

Brock Wagstaff is a long-time California climber, (shown here in good style on a 1976 ascent of the Nose on El Cap and recently with his daughter at Lover's Leap; photo credit: Stronghold member and his climbing partner John Wiley). Brock worked as a guide at Lover's Leap, and would buy issues of Mountain Magazine as they came in from the UK; receipts from small California climbing shops long gone are still tucked into the pages of his issues from the 70s. Mountain chronicl...ed the development of technical climbing around the world, and its pages reflect many important milestones, from the advent of camming devices, to the development of clean climbing ethics, to the successes of women in the vertical world. Brock is giving his archive from 1973 - 1985 of Mountain to the community library at the gym. We are incredibly honored to host this incredible repository of climbing history. Brock's generosity will allow us all to connect to the mountain psyche that came before us and deepen our own. Since our library (and the whole gym) is closed for the foreseeable future, we have snapped some photos of just a tiny sample of the pages in this archive, for your virtual viewing pleasure. Many thanks to Brock Wagstaff - we wish him many more amazing climbs, this year and beyond. If you see this man 'out in the wild' please pour him a tipple of his favorite drink - red wine!

Today's class is about meeting Resistance with a sense of playfulness. Let's explore what comes up and have some fun! For more of my classes, follow me Fb: Nicole Keith and on Instagram Jewel_of_the_lotus.

Flow and Let Go: Ground and Rebound through your Feet and Ankles

Please do everything possible to slow the spread so that we can get back to climbing these fresh new routes on the North Face, set just before we had to close.

This Class teaches you how to get a killer back workout at home with little to no equipment. Rows are the quentessential exercise for targeting the lower and mid back, muscular areas that are involved in maintining proper posture as well as holding underclings. This class is a makeup class for Sunday.

Restorative Yoga with Maggie + Live Ambient Synth (with Yoga Nidra)

Extremely generous member Simone Wojtaszek just donated this nearly new crash pad to our youth climbing teams, which should help the kids get outside while we remain closed. Team members, have a parent send an email to [email protected] if you'd like to borrow this pad. Thank you Simone!

Grappling with our closure, reaching toward climbing together again. We hope everyone is staying as healthy and sane as possible. Climber: Staff member Kris.

[[[UPDATE, 7/20: He has been found and is with his family now! Great news.]]] Please keep your eyes out for this missing person when you are in the local mountains. He just started to climb and enjoys hiking in the Mt Baldy area. He may be lost in a wilderness area. The Cal Poly Pomona Associated Students Incorporated (ASI) has more information and here is a news story about his disappearance: https://ktla.com//cal-poly-pomona-seeks-help-searching-fo/

This class has a theme of balance.

Flow and Let Go: Legs...all sides.

Hello Friends, We are closing again, effective immediately, due to new guidance from California and Los Angeles county released this afternoon. We do not know right now when re-opening will be possible. All members will have a credit placed on their account for the days this month that we are closed, (and should our closure extend into next month, all members will be on free freeze, as before). We are sorry that we are collectively in this difficult place. The gym is more tha...n just exercise, it's community. Please know we will be waiting for you on the other side of this. It's painful to be physically distanced and masked up from our community and loved ones, but please recommit to these efforts and do your part to stop the spread of COVID-19. We will need to get cases back down to re-open. Sending out a big virtual hug - take good care until we can climb with you again. See more

Bluest of skies over Big Bear! This route looks like it has quite a finish. #Repost @paololeviste --- Open air. Still need to go back and finish this thing. This mantle feels scary as heck. .... . Waffle House, 5.10D . . #c_l_i_m_b #strongholdclimb #bigbear #climbing #climboutside #leadclimbing #project #daydreaming #climbing_worldwide #climbing_is_my_passion See more

Restorative Yoga for Body Awareness with Maggie + Live Ambient Synth

This video teaches the archer push-up. This pressing exercise is the first step in learning how to do a single arm push-up.

In this class we explore the 1st of the Yamas: Ahimsa (non violence), but specifically the idea of tolerating what we do not like ;) Let's have some fun and see what comes up!

New product alert: We have some ultra-comfortable new masks in stock -- this type modelled by Jerry is $10, and we have another type in a different design (also with the Stronghold logo) by Static Climbing for $15. Mask up in style!

Some beautiful new routes are up this week on the Right Overhang & Fin. Thanks, setters!

#Repost @drewbiedew --- F(UN)derHangs ... Watch it all to let the beat build and see the process layer by layer. And I here I thought figuring out how to send this project took a long time at the gym Pretty happy with how this animation turned out, learning it all on the fly and drawing each frame on my iPhone while using a vertical video to make a horizontal 90 frame loop. This global pandemic and corresponding quarantine lockdown has really thrown a wrench in a lot of things worldwide. It hasn’t been all roses, but I’m super thankful for the extra time it’s given me to sit back and reflect on things, ground myself, learn some new skills or polish old ones as I enter a new decade of life. It was/is really hard having this newfound sport/hobby/lifestyle of climbing and bouldering ripped away from my callous hands for 2 months and counting now with no definitive return date in sight. But I’ve gained some patience and learned that it may not be easy, but our brains and bodies are pretty exceptional at problem solving. We’ll get through this. Just keep hanging in there. #justdrewit Incredible Zelda & Chill Music by Mikel and @gamechops can be found on Spotify and YouTube See more

Flow and Let Go: One-Legged King Pigeon

Very cool profile of local climber Marci Rosales in Rock and Ice magazine! https://rockandice.com/featu/the-achiever-maricela-rosales/

This crag kitten is in search of a home! She is available for adoption at Mandy's Paws Rescue and would make a puuurrrfect pandemic partner. The name the rescue has given her is "Lego" and she is about 10 weeks old. She is super sweet, and loves being pet and exploring.

Rest and Digest Restorative with Maggie + Live Ambient Synth

Keeping it moving!