Outreach Archives - Sender One Climbing
Team Sender One Competes At Elite Nationals Tomorrow!

Team Sender One Competes At Elite Nationals Tomorrow!

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Written by Alexandra Erdman

 

As you read this, Team Sender One is sending six athletes to Salt Lake City to compete in the 2024 Yeti National Championships this weekend! I know what you’re thinking: “Didn’t I read about Team Sender One at Nationals a few months ago?” And the answer is, Yes! You Did!

Earlier this summer, Teams Sender One LAX & SNA competed (and placed) at Youth Nationals. The Yeti National Championships (commonly referred to as Elite Nationals) actually falls into the Elite Series, as opposed to the Youth Series. While both series are organized by USA Climbing, Elite Nationals is a series that is essentially for pro climbers; it’s the World Cup/Olympic Track Competitions. Elite Nationals is the first of two competitions in which the National Team for the 2025 World Cup season is selected (the second being National Team Trials which will be Spring 2025). To qualify for  National Team Trials, athletes will need to place in the top 40 for Boulder or Lead, or they’ll need to hit the benchmark time in Speed (5.44s). Based on their performances at Yeti Nationals and National Team Trials (with NTT being weighted slightly higher), the athletes are given a National Team Rank, which will determine World Cup Invitations.

Our athletes are specialists. So all six athletes will only compete in one discipline: 

  1. Ethan A (Lead)

  2. Maddi H (Speed)

  3. Michael Hom (Speed)

  4. Taede M (Speed)

  5. Alexis P (Speed)

  6. Logan S (Speed)

Aside from the competition itself, Taede is very excited to visit a great taco place he found in SLC. Maddi is most excited for fall colored leaves and see athletes she only gets to see a couple times a year. Logan said he is most excited to compete against really fast climbers.

A long standing tradition for some members of Team Sender One is to make fun bets on the competition; something to help take the pressure off and build team morale! It usually pertains to shaving heads or wearing a Hatsune Miku wig on the podium. Keep your eyes peeled for any silliness at the podium!

A few of the athletes were kind of enough to share their personal goals for Speed Climbing this weekend: 

Taede is aiming for 5.5 seconds.

Maddi’s goals are to win a knockout race and get  sub 8 seconds.

Logan is going for the Benchmark time (5.44s).

To keep up with the Yeti National Championships this weekend, visit the link here. And join me in wishing Team Sender One luck and speed in Salt Lake City!

What to Eat Before a Climb

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https://www.climbing.com/skills/pro-fuel/
https://www.climbing.com/skills/nutrition-essentials-for-climbers/
https://www.liveabout.com/rock-climbers-diet-756033

Ever wonder what the optimal thing to eat before a climb is? 

Sender One’s New Core Value

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Sender Stories

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Words by Atila Vaas

"Many years ago, I went on a two-week caravan with the YMCA. We drove and camped throughout the Sierras, including a few nights in Tuolumne Meadows. My friend Scot and I ran and explored everything we could and one of the highlights of the trip for us was this big smooth rock that we cautiously scaled. Lembert Dome was my first climb!

Years later I read an issue in Outside Magazine that described local rock climbing and one of the places in the article was in Malibu. I knew this place and immediately jumped on my motorcycle to ride there and see it. I followed the picture and was able to scale the arete wearing a tank top, shorts, and my Converse All Star Tennies.

I was so excited I went over to [the now closed] Sport Chalet and looked at books and gear and left with an issue of Climbing Magazine. The issue had an article on ‘protection’ and talked about the possibility of falling. FALLING! A childhood of tree climbs and the previously mentioned article only pointed to fun and adventure. Never did it cross my mind that I would fall. Since that time, I had pursued climbing and instruction off and on over the years. I’ve honestly been scared many times at the end of a rope, in couloirs, and remote ridges, and am grateful for the lessons and experiences I have had. At one point I had read a book about the pure joy and simplicity of enjoying the mountains. It contrasted what we do today by trying to do things harder. The book went on about going the easiest way and told stories about hip belays and knots as anchors.

I tried this too for a bit. I went in tennies, carried more food than necessary, and just enjoyed myself with minimal exposure and the only goal being the experiencing of the mountains. Recently, I did the opposite. I joined the Sender One Bouldering League and participated in my first competition. I learned a lot watching, training, and participating. My team was quite mixed in level and while I was decidedly the lowest grade climber at the start, I did mange to improve and get my handicap upgraded.

I love the mountains. I have enjoyed climbing, hiking, and skiing them worldwide. And I still have fun regardless of the level of challenge but am always afraid to fall."

We all have stories to tell and we want to hear and share them with everyone! Sender Stories is now dedicated to our members and community to share your experiences and of course, Share Our Passions, Find Creative Beta, Learn from our Projects and Send Them, See from Other People’s Perspective, and Climb Together! Sender One embraces personal experiences being told within our community and encourage all to share!

Sender One Climbing Tips

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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. 

Hispanic Heritage Month!

Hispanic Heritage Month!

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Written by Hailey McFelia 

 

This month we are diving into Hispanic Heritage month by taking a look at our climbing community. There are a few affinity groups who are helping “climbers of color unite!” They’re not just helping build recognition, but getting people the tools they need to get outside and climb! Lagartijas and Escalemos are two groups that you may have seen around collaborating with Sender One on events & the Send With Mi Gente Meetups! Lagartijas is a climbing crew created by "people of the global majority" (meaning people with Latin American, Indigenous, Asian, or African descent). Lagartijas created a gear library to help make essential items more accessible to their community members. Escalemos is a group that specializes in Latin representation in climbing and outdoor spaces. They do this by guiding outside at local crags. Which is another useful tool for building up these affinity groups as well as their goal for Hispanic representation in the climbing community.

I sat down with Andrea from Lagartijas to chat with her about her experience leading with Lagartijas:

Can you share with us a meaningful story that came about from a Lagartijas event or meetup?

"It's really hard to pinpoint one exact moment.  We just had our three year anniversary and had a huge party.  I won’t lie, I was a little worried about turnout because it was a holiday weekend and a few friends had already told me they weren't going to be able to make it.  In the end, we had over 150 people show up to celebrate. It was so amazing to hear the stories of people's first meetups and the friendships that they made. I think I cried a few times that night.  It feels so amazing that I've been part of this organization that has brought so many people together."

What is your dream goal or event for Lagartijas?

"I would love to have a BIPOC centered climbing Festival in California. We have so many world-class crags and it would be amazing to bring more people that look like you and I to these corners of California."

Are orange pants the best pant color? 

"If you don't own orange pants you are absolutely missing out! I think I currently have at least three pairs."

*If you haven’t had the pleasure of climbing with Andrea you may not know this, but girl always be wearing orange pants.

Do you have a call to action for the climbing community or local climbing gyms?

"To me it's all about accessibility.  I've seen some gyms have amazing policies and it makes me wonder why others can't do the same. For example, my new home gym here in San Luis Obispo offers free day passes for anyone with a tribal card as well as discounted memberships for anyone who is part of the local affinity groups."

I am someone who is VERY white passing and I’m always nervous to join groups like Lagartijas based on the way I look despite the fact I am Mexican. I know that other people in my situation also feel this way, but what is your take on this topic?

"I'm not here to tell people what they are and what they aren't.  To me Lagartijas is all about creating a safe space for people and having a community where you can be yourself."

How can climbing gyms do better to support Lagartijas and other affinity groups?

"Offering affinity group specific clinics and classes at a discounted rate will definitely help various groups achieve their mission of getting people to climb outside safely. Additionally, seeing ourselves represented amongst the staff helps foster a more welcoming environment."

It’s Hispanic Heritage month, what would you like to see from the climbing community during this month?

"It's not only about this month, but what the climbing community can do for others all the time. All Too often people are comfortable being silent.  Being an ally isn't just about re-sharing Instagram stories and posting links to a GoFundMe. Speak up for your peers in person,  and apply this to outside the climbing world as well."

Here’s to celebrating Hispanic Heritage month and those out there working hard to see themselves and others like them represented within the climbing community. Your time and hard work is appreciated! Thank you for bringing people together and encouraging others to “climb as they are”.

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