ABC of Rock Climbing News Feed

SCARPA sponsors Alpine World Ascents

Effective immediately, SCARPA North America is the official footwear sponsor for Boulder, Colo.-based Alpine World Ascents, a renowned mountain guide service based out of Colorado that guides rock-climbing, alpine-climbing and ski-mountaineering trips in the Front Range and around the world.

Alpine World Ascents' footwear fleet for clients moving forward will consist exclusively of SCARPA rock shoes, mountain boots and ski boots, and guides and owners will also employ SCARPA products. Guide service owner and founder Markus Beck said he was initially impressed with SCARPA's performance and quality from guiding in his native Switzerland, and is excited to formalize a partnership with SCARPA at Alpine World Ascents, which he has operated for 15 years.

"I got a pair of SCARPA mountaineering boots, took them out of the box and went right out to guide several big routes in the Swiss Alps,� Beck said. "I was immediately impressed with the precise feel for climbing hard rock and mixed terrain."

Beck, who was born and raised in Switzerland and exposed to the mountains from an early age, employs exclusively American Mountain Guide Association- or International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations-trained guides at Alpine World Ascents. Along with guiding in Colorado's Front Range, the business guides clients on rock, mountaineering and ski objectives in Europe, Canada, Central and South America, the Himalayas, New Zealand and Africa.

"SCARPA has long been recognized as a leader in performance mountain footwear, but an important part of maintaining that reputation comes from working with � and getting regular feedback from � guides who are in the field every day, and guides who work for respected outfits like Alpine World Ascents,� said Kim Miller, CEO of SCARPA North America. "We're psyched to welcome Markus and his team to the SCARPA family.�

About SCARPA and SCARPA North America

Founded in 1938, SCARPA builds performance footwear for climbing, hiking, skiing, mountaineering, trail running and other outdoor pursuits from its headquarters in Asolo, Italy. SCARPA has been owned and operated by the Parisotto family since 1956. In 2005, SCARPA opened its North American headquarters in Boulder, Colo., staffed and directed by veterans of the North American outdoor industry, to oversee sales, marketing and distribution in the U.S. and Canada. For more information about SCARPA footwear, visit www.scarpa.com.

Scottish Winter Meet 17th - 26th February 2012

Mountaineering Ireland will again be basing the 2012 Scottish Winter Meet at Inchree Centre in the Onich, between Fort William and Glen Coe in the Western Highlands of Scotland. This is a great location for Ben Nevis and the 3 sisters of Glen Coe. Inchree Centre offers a variety of accommodation including bunk houses, hostels, chalets and B+B.

Similar to the massively successful 2011 MI Summer Alpine meet, all walkers and climbers are encouraged to participate, whether on one of the instructor led training courses or on the more informal "do your own thing� basis. We hope to bring together like minded people to share in the experiences of days on the hills, evening talks and slide shows and plenty of late night discussions!

What courses are on offer?

Basic Winter Skills (self-catering) Ratio 1:6 for summer hill walkers who would like to learn basic snow skills and try winter walking for the first time Cost: �250 for 3 days (price for instruction only) (minimum number 4)

Winter Mountaineering (self-catering) Ratio 1:4 for those walkers and climbers who have done some basic winter walking and wants to try something a little more challenging, Cost: �275 for 3 days (price for instruction only) (minimum number 4)

Winter Climbing (self-catering) Ratio 1:2.Minimum of 2 people required. This course is for those who would like to tackle routes requiring the use of an axe and hammer. Previous rock climbing and winter experience required cost �450 for 3 days (price for instruction only) (minimum number 2)

Course dates
19th-21st February: Basic winter skills/Winter Mountaineering/Winter Climbing
23rd-25th February: Basic winter skills/Winter Mountaineering/Winter Climbing

source: www.mountaineering.ie

Russian K2 Attempt Ends After Death

A Russian expedition attempting the first ascent of K2 in winter has been called off after climber Vitaly Gorelik died of heart failure in base camp. The Russian climbers had reached 7,200 meters on the south-southeast spur of the 8,611-meter peak, and Gorelik had suffered bad frostbite on his hands. Back at base camp, the team called for a helicopter evacuation, but severe winds prevented a rescue.

Gorelik was one of Russia's most powerful mountaineers. In 2007, he summited K2 after the first ascent of the west face. In 2009, at age 42, Gorelik and partner Gleb Sokolov completed a major new route on the north face of Peak Pobeda, the highest peak in the Tien Shan, a climb that was nominated for a Piolet d'Or.

Attempts on two other 8,000-meter peaks in Pakistan, Gasherbrum I and Nanga Parbat, are continuing.

Source: russianclimb.com

Boston Rock Gym: Saturday Morning After Special

We've all been here. It's a leisurely Saturday morning and you wake up realizing that you have the entire day ahead of you. No alarm clocks, no plans, no worries. But, wait. That person lying next to you might not feel the same way. Now what? Beginning Saturday, February 11th, 2012, grab your partner, get out of bed and head over to the Boston Rock Gym (BRG) for the "Saturday Morning After Special� offered every Saturday beginning at 10:00AM. What better way to extend the previous evening than with a three-hour, up-close and personal "Introduction to Rock Climbing� class followed by lunch at one of the best local restaurants? Ladies, your hair is already messed up and you have just enough makeup on that you allude a natural glow. And guys? Prove to her that you're not just another jerk that she met at the bar, and that you're interested in actually getting to know her.

The Boston Rock Gym's (BRG) new "morning after� special is $58 per person and includes a three-hour introduction to rock climbing class followed by lunch reservations of your choice at some of the best local restaurants including: Masa Southwest Bar & Grill (Woburn), Sea Dog Brew Pub, Beacon Grille and Joe's American Bar & Grill (Woburn). If lunch works out, the Boston Rock Gym is also offering a free two-week membership pass and equipment rental. That's not all�Moosejaw, online and local retailer specializing in outdoor recreation apparel is hooking everyone up with a voucher for complimentary Moosejaw t-shirts when you visit their new superstore opening 2012 in The Natick Collection winter 2012-- perfect for the next time you roll over and find yourselves in a Saturday morning haze. It's almost like you had planned this all along. Almost�

For more information, please visit www.bostonrockgym.com.

Preregistration is necessary. Please call the Boston Rock Gym directly at (781) 935-7325 to sign up. When signing up for the class, please specify which local restaurant you would like to dine at afterwards.

Natalija Gros retires from competition climbing

2011 marked the end of the competition career of one of Slovenia's foremost competition climbers, Natalija Gros. Born in Kranj in 1984, Gros started climbing at age 6 and began competing aged 9, first in national lead competitions and in 1994 she progressed to international competitions. In 2006 Gros decided to take part in Bouldering competitions too, and continued to compete in both disciplines until 2011.

In total, Gros stepped onto the World Cup podium 23 times in her competition career and highlights in her career include winning three youth world championship titles, silver in the European Championships in Lecco in 2004 and gold in European Bouldering and Combined Championship in Paris in 2008. Other titles include winning the Serre Chevalier master in 2004 and 2009, bronze in the Lead World Cup 2004 as well as bronze in the Bouldering World Cups 2007 and 2009.

Gros has obviously also excelled on rock, onsighting up to 8a+. In 2002 she sent her first 8b, in 2005 she redpointed her first 8b+ - Kaj ti je deklica at Misja pec in Slovenia - while a year later it was time for her first 8c, the nearby Strelovod. At the same crag she upped the ante in March 2008 by sending Histerija 8c+ and in doing so became one of the first women to dominate this grade.

The Slovenian climber has stared in various films including "Chalk & Chocolate" which documents her 8c+ ascent, "New dimension" which explores urban style bouldering in Argentina and the short film "Le tango vertical".

During her recent end-of-career celebration the Slovenian athlete auctioned photos to raise almost 3000 euros for two charities she supports, Wings for Life and the association Friends of youth which organises climbing camps for socially disadvantaged children.

Source: www.planetmountain.com