Sender One, Author at Sender One Climbing

Sender One Climbing Tips

by | Sep 20, 2024 | Outreach

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Also known as our 'House Rules,' these tips will not only give you insight into climbing at Sender One, but will also be useful knowledge to anyone who is new to indoor rock climbing! 

Where do I start a climb? 

Second start hold is unmarked; anything below the route tag is fair game.  If you are new to climbing, this may sound completely confusing, but here's the breakdown!  Route setters set every route intentionally, including how you begin the climb. The start-hold of a climb is marked with a route tag (see picture).  If the start-hold is a large, then you should attempt the start of the climb with both hands on that hold, but sometimes the holds are smaller, or tough to grip with two hands. This is where the above tip comes in handy: any hold that is below the route tag is fair game.  This means you can start with your second hand on any of the holds (of the same color) that are between the ground and start-hold. This may make it a bit easier to get of the ground for the first move!

When do I stop climbing? 

Finish the climb with two hands on the final hold.  While it may be tempting to climb to the top of the rock wall, our routes are actually set for you to finish on the final hold that is *near* the top of the wall.  You can't just slap it though!  A true finish is when both of your hands are secure on that final hold!  The only exception to this is on our top-out bouldering structures (where you finish the climb by climbing on top of the bouldering structure).  

Where do I go? 

Climb the same color holds to the top of the wall. 

How to Clean your Climbing Rope

by | Sep 18, 2024 | Blog

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Words & Photos by Melody Yuan

I’ve had my trusted rope for two years. It’s dynamic, durable and my life depends on it.

It only seems right then, to make sure the rope’s well taken care of. While I’ve taken precaution to keep my rope on the tarp and not step on it when climbing outdoors, rinse it every few months, use a proper rope bag, and make sure it stays flaked when it’s not in use, I really only washed it for the first time two weeks ago.

My rope has journeyed up many routes and picked up dirt across different crags. My climbing friends can attest that I probably had the dirtiest rope among our regular climbing group. I used to pride myself on the fact that my rope was well used, but after belaying one day and noticing that my hands were black as night after only one climb, I decided it was time to wash it.

But how?

After talking to a few fellow climbers, reading threads and making a trip to REI, I was equipped and ready to take on the challenge.

What you need:

Tub, bucket or a sink that you don’t mind getting dirty

Rope soap / wash (Editor's note: Recommended. Other detergents are potentially damaging to ropes.)

Warm water

Gloves (optional)

While cleaning the rope using just warm water may be a good enough solution, I decided to use the Edelweiss Rope Wash because my rope was too dirty for just water to clean. I have also heard of climbers throwing their rope into the washing machine*, but I would encourage washing the rope by hand. Who wants all that rope dirt in the washer where your clothes go anyway?

Step 1:

I used the bathtub at home and placed my filthy rope inside. Then, I filled the tub half way with lukewarm water. Editor's note: Washing your rope may stain your bathtub! Wash at your discretion.

Step 2:

Let the water soak. I left the rope in the tub for about 5 minutes. During this time, I cleaned the inside of my rope bag.

Step 3:

Swish it around. I pulled and squeezed the rope to make sure all the sediments were coming off, and that every inch of the rope had been in the water.

Step 4:

Add rope wash. If you’re intending to use a wash, a small amount will usually suffice in getting the grittier dirt out.

Step 5:

Scrub and Swish. Pull the entire length of your rope through your hands and scrub with your fingers.

Step 6:

Drain the water, rinse the rope and then refill the tub with clean water to rinse and/or scrub the rope again. I drained and refilled the tub four times before the water started getting clear again.

Step 7:

Dry thoroughly. Flake the rope out of the tub and lay it across a water-friendly area like a towel, balcony or shower-curtain rod. In my case, I laid it across the bike rack in my garage and away from direct sunlight.

Once it’s completely dry and looking brand new again, flake the rope one more time to make sure the rope is clean, tie the ends, and put it back into your rope bag. And voila! Guaranteed that the next time you go climbing, you’ll feel great pulling out some clean rope to set up on a new route.

To ensure that your rope stays in its optimum conditions, I would suggest doing the following:

  •         Store your rope in a dry place, away from heat and direct sunlight. Exposing the rope to too much direct sun can damage the fibers and fade the colors. This includes keeping the rope in your car on a hot day.
  •         Make sure that your rope is on a tarp or something similar when you climb outdoors, since dirt and sediment can easily get onto your rope. Also, you don’t want anyone to accidentally step onto your rope.
  •         Inspect your rope as you flake it to make sure there aren’t any fuzzy areas, cuts, flat spots or weird misshapes in your rope. It’s normal for a rope to get weaker over time, especially in the event that you’ve taken a huge fall or have owned the rope for more than a year, so this inspection is important**.

* Please research and wash your rope in a washing machine at your own discretion.

**This post is a general guide to maintaining your rope. If you are uncertain about the integrity of a rope, have it inspected by a professional. Sender One is not responsible for any rope failures via use of this guide.

iSWOLation Workout Series: Week #1

iSWOLation Workout Series: Week #1

by | Mar 30, 2020 | Blog

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Welcome to Week #1 of the iSWOLation Workout Series!

We know - it's been really hard with the climbing gym being closed. It has become one of our top priorities to ensure that our community can stay active during this time. In addition to our online virtual classes, our Sender One LAX Head Coach, Dom Barry, has put together a workout series for the upcoming weeks while we remain closed.

This guide is aimed to keep you moving and maintain a baseline of fitness, so no need to strap on your weights for this! Check out our other blog post for the full introduction of this workout series.
Each week we’ll have a new workout for you that will have a variety of exercises to help keep your body in shape. We'll also provide some exercise how-to videos that go along with each workout. You can view these videos and more on our YouTube Channel!
Aim to complete these exercises 3 days per week with 1 day of rest or cross training (a light run with your dog or bike ride around the neighborhood) in between each day you do this work out.

1. Warming Up

50 Jumping Jacks -
Smooth, controlled movements focusing on even movements and landing softly
10 Arm Circles -
Forward & Reverse Small/Med/Large Circles
5 Hip Circles

2. Activation + Stabilization

10 Scapula Push Ups x 1 Set
10 Second Handstand Walk Outs x 1 Set

3. Strength (2 Options)

Option #1
10 Elevated Feet Push Ups x 3 sets (1 min. rest between sets)
10 Push Ups x 3 sets - (1 min. rest between sets)
Option #2
10 High Knee Step Ups x 3 sets (1 min. rest between sets)
10 Bodyweight Squats x 3 sets (1 min. rest between sets)

4. Core

1 min Hollow Body x 3 sets (30 sec rest in between sets)
15 Side Plank Dips x 2 sets

5. Mobility + Supplemental

1 min Wall Slides I-Y-T
20 sec Thread the Needle x 2 sets (hold left and right sides)
20 sec Pigeon Stretch Each Leg x 3 sets (w/ 10 sec rest between sets)
40 sec Frog Stretch x 3 sets (w/ 10 seconds rest between sets)

Introducing the iSWOLation Workout Series

Introducing the iSWOLation Workout Series

by | Mar 27, 2020 | Blog

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Due to the exponential rate of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been forced to confine within our homes and find alternative means of staying fit. We at Sender One would like to provide you with an alternative way of staying fit for when we are able to get outside and climb together again. This way you'll still be as strong as you were before self quarantine.

Led by our very own LAX Youth Program Comp Team Head Coach Dom Barry, he is set on providing a weekly workout series that is easy and accessible to all households.

This guide is aimed to keep you moving and maintain a baseline of fitness, so no need to strap on your weights for this!

Each week we'll have a new workout for you that will have a variety of exercises to keep your body in shape.

Here are the basics:

  • Warming up - Every workout requires a warmup, and much like climbing, you need to get the heart rate bumping so your warm and ready.

  • Activation/Stabilization - Starting off your workout is maintaining stabilization by activating your muscles through these exercises.
  • Strength - It goes a long way and will help you further your climbing. These exercises are standard and necessary.

  • Core - One of the key essential muscles in climbing is core. These exercises will strengthen your abdominal area so you maintain a good solid core.

  • Mobility/Supplemental - These exercises will help sustain mobility in addition to the previous exercises. Movement is extremely important in climbing and mobility only makes it that much better.

Aim to complete these exercises 3 days per week with 1 day of rest or cross training (a light run with your dog or bike ride around the neighborhood) in between each day you do this work out.

Stay tuned for each weeks workout through our blog or social media (Instagram and Facebook)

Ascent | Short Film by Jessica Cisneros

Ascent | Short Film by Jessica Cisneros

by | Jul 11, 2019 | Blog

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At Sender One, one of our core values is to share our passions with one another.  Recently Sender One staff member, Jessica Cisneros, shared her passion for filmmaking with the climbing community by creating a short-film documentary, Ascent - The Life of a Climber.  We asked Jessica a few questions to learn more about her passion for filmmaking and rock climbing.  Check out her film, and what she had to say, below!

 

How long have you been climbing? What about filmmaking? 

I have a weird relationship with climbing.  It is very off and on based on the complexity of my schedule and the seasons of life.  As of right now, it is very much on and I am loving it!  If I had to say a time, it's been about 3 years.  Filmmaking, however, I have been doing for 2 years consistently.  Prior to that I was a video editor for 5 years. 

 

What inspired you to you to combine your passions of climbing and filmmaking? 

They were both easily accessible!  I think sometimes as filmmakers, we get stuck having to produce a story from a narrative that we don't fully believe in or support.  Under those circumstances, it becomes difficult to create.  If I was going to be the pre-editor of this project, I had to be 100% behind the concept. 

 

What made you want to make a film about climbing? 

When I was brainstorming on ideas to produce a small documentary for school, I wanted to educate on a topic that would be attention grabbing!  Documentaries can be a bit boring sometimes and I wanted to give people something enjoyable to watch that they could still learn from.  I began working on this way before Free Solo, and other rad climbing docs, and the idea felt very original since these others didn't exist yet.  I scripted, carefully sought out my interviewees, pre-selected outdoor climbing locations, and prepared the schedule to get shooting with a couple of my classmates.

 

What was something you learned while making this film? 

I learned many things while creating this piece.  I learned about the dedication and passion from a climber's perspective, and how important it is to preserve our crags.  Overall, I learned that regardless of the type of climbing you engage in, practicing minimizing risk and not making rash decisions is extremely important - your life depends on it. 

 

 

 

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