ABC of Rock Climbing News Feed

Climbers to Summit Highest Peaks in 50 States

From Alaska's majestic Denali, commanding the landscape at 20,030 feet, to Florida's 335-foot Britton Hill, climbers, hikers, and walkers will set out to conquer the 50 highest peaks in the United States en masse this summer to raise awareness and funds for pediatric AIDS in this year's Summer Summit Challenge.

Hosted by the American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA) as part of its Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up program, the Summer Summit Challenge will kick off this year's fundraiser and will be held from June 27 to July 6, 2008. Proceeds will be used to purchase medicine and supplies for children living with AIDS in Africa.

"This event allows people to take action no matter where they live, and turn their passion for the outdoors into tangible help for kids that need hope, help, and attention,� says Tanya Weaver, executive director of AFCA. "Hikers, climbers, and the outdoor industry have seen the positive impact they can make in the lives of children living with AIDS by getting out and taking on this great challenge.�

In 2007, a Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up global event saw hikers, climbers, bikers, and staircase-climbers reach the tops of peaks of their own choosing and raise over $15,500 for AFCA and its work with children with HIV/AIDS in Africa.

To participate in the fundraiser, individuals raise a minimum of $115 and teams raise $5,000; AFCA provides many tips and pointers on fundraising for the Challenge. Individuals and teams raising the most money will win prizes and gifts from the outdoor industry with all proceeds benefiting AFCA.

To register, interested individuals should visit www.ClimbUpSoKidsCanGrowUp.com.

About the American Foundation for Children with AIDS
American Foundation for Children with AIDS is an independent international humanitarian aid organization established in 2004. AFCA is recognized as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in the state of Florida, USA. The mission of AFCA is to improve the lives of children and youth struggling with the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. We provide cost-effective relief, services, medical and social support, education, and advocacy to help these individuals achieve their full life potential. For more information, visit www.helpchildrenwithaids.org.

About Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up
Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up is a growing partnership between outdoor recreation enthusiasts and American Foundation for Children with AIDS. Together with our sponsors, we invite "climbers� everywhere to bring awareness to the pediatric AIDS pandemic and to raise funds so AFCA can continue to send life-saving anti-retroviral (ARV) medication to children affected by HIV/AIDS. For more information, visit www.climbupsokidscangrowup.com.

Alex Puccio Joins Five Ten Team

Five Ten is pleased to announce the addition of Alex Puccio to its team of athletes. Boulder-based Puccio, 18, is the country's female top competition climber. She won the ABS National Championships in '06, '07 and '08, and the Teva Games in '06 and '07. In addition to being on the forefront of comp climbing, Puccio is an extremely strong boulderer, and has been picking off some very noteworthy boulder problems, including Schwere Gustov V11 (Hueco Tanks); The Kind Traverse V11 (RMNP); Bierstadt V10 (Mt. Evans); Resident Evil V10, Finger Hut V10, and Freak V10 (Joe's Valley); And Swiss Crisp Mix V10 (Hueco Tanks).

Says Puccio, "I'm very excited to be a part of 5.10's team! I have been friends with most of the people at 5.10 for a while now and I think they are GREAT people to surround myself with. And not only does Five Ten have great people, but FANTASTIC shoes! Stealth Rubber sticks to perfection. I'm NEVER concerned about my feet slipping off a hold when wearing Stealth � I just climb with confidence, and climb hard!! With great confidence comes great achievements and I'm excited for 5.10 to be there with me as I continue my journey.�

Charles Cole, founder of Five Ten, says that adding Alex Puccio to the team has been a priority. "We knew Alex loves Stealth rubber,� adds Cole, "so we knew she was smart, in addition to being an excellent climber. And we like smart climbers!�

The addition of Puccio to Five Ten's team of climbers is part of the company's newly restructured athlete program. This year, Five Ten launched a youth team initiative to help support young developing climbers. It has also focused more closely on both its men's and women's teams. Five Ten enjoys the support of strong male leaders such as Dean Potter, Sonnie Trotter, David Graham, Kevin Jorgeson, Paul Robinson, Ethan Pringle, Brett Johnston and Carlo Traversi. The women's team includes topguns such as Steph Davis, Katie Brown, Alex Johnson, Ally Dorey, Colette McInererny, Jody Hanson, Kate Reese and now Alex Puccio.

For more information, visit www.fiveten.com.

Source:
www.climbing.com

La Sportiva Goes Big at the New River Rendezvous

Boulder, Colo. - Perhaps one of the best-kept secrets in American climbing, The New River Gorge, WV is home to some of the best rock climbing routes in the country. Every weekend, this destination climbing location regularly draws climbers from at least eight states in the mid-Atlantic, but once a year, "The New� becomes a gathering place for the international climbing community with the New River Rendezvous.

This year, La Sportiva will be intimately involved with The New River Rendezvous, sponsoring multiple events and showing up with several of their climbing team members. Not only will La Sportiva's Doug Madera offer demo shoes for anyone who registers for the New River Rendezvous, but La Sportiva will also be the sponsor of the climbing competition held in the gorge. Also, La Sportiva athlete Micah Dash will present his Kashmir Alpine Style multi-media show.

Full details about the New River Rendezvous, which will take place on May 16-18 this year, can be found here: newriverrendezvous.com.

This year, the organizers of The New River Rendezvous have implemented a new No Waste Initiative. So, bring your plates and cups and help eliminate as much waste from the event as possible. When it's all over on Sunday, bag up the trash, take it home, and recycle as much as possible. The event organizer's goal is to go totally no waste and they are asking for all attendees to help set a new national standard on hosting an event of this size with sustainability as a priority.

ABOUT LA SPORTIVA
Celebrating their 80th anniversary, La Sportiva brings a strong alpine mountaineering and climbing heritage to their line of performance mountain footwear. This core experience enables La Sportiva to offer the most versatile technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running®, and hiking shoes on the market. For more information on La Sportiva, visit www.sportiva.com.

Source:
www.climbing.com

Teva Mountain Games to be Held on June 5 - 8

Be ready for a fun-filled experience at the Teva Mountain Games 2008. This will be held on June 5 to 8.

The Teva Mountain Games is back and once again, it calls on all professional athletes and amateur outdoor adventure enthusiasts from Vail Valley and around the world to join, meet other people, and have fun. Teva Mountain Games is composed of seven sports and ten disciplines including freestyle and extreme kayaking, kayak and raft paddlecross, bouldering, speed and dyno climbing, mountain bike freeride, big air, cross country and road racing, as well as trail running, and the GNC Ultimate Mountain Challenge!

The event will focus not only on athletic games but also on mountain photography competitions and mountain lifestyle parties! This fun-filled event is totally free and all you need to do is register online at http://www.tevamountaingames.com/register.cfm.

For more details on this news, please visit www.tevamountaingames.com.

Climbers Sought for Alpine Club International Meet

The Mountaineering Council of Ireland is looking for two climbers (male and female) who will represent them at the American Alpine Club's International Climbers Meet at Indian Creek, Utah in October 2008.

The said climb is frequently described as an unforgettable event on some of the world's best crack climbing. This weeklong climb fest will be backed up by an international feel program of BBQ's, beer, burritos, and late night parties.

Candidates will handle the travel expenses going to Denver and meals prior to arrival in Indian Creek, but the rest of the expense will be shouldered by the AAC through link to a host climber. The MCI will cover the registration fee of $100 for both candidates.

What do you need to apply?

Be a current member of the MCI
Be able to travel to Denver around the first two weeks of October
Be a trad climber - able to comfortably lead 5.10 or E2

For more details on this news, please visit www.mountaineering.ie.