Monday, October 20, 2014

The Climbing Wall is Up!


Hi and welcome back!

As you can see from the title, the rock wall is now done!  It's about 12.5 feet tall, there are two sides with holds that come to a dihedral (there will eventually be two more) and we even put a chimney in one of the corners.

We started working on it in early September, and it took about four weekends.  We would have never gotten it done so well if it was just my dad and me.  Luckily, our friend Jesse Straussberger, who I've been working for since springtime, made it possible.  Here are a bunch of step-by-step pictures.


Drilling the first of the 4-foot deep holes for
the 16'x6"x6" posts


Posts in and supported. The sides are both 8' long 

The 2"x6" studs for the plywood sheets.


Painting the plywood sheets.  We used a
special paint with sand in it that looks and feels like rock.


Sorting the holds before placing them on the plywood


Figuring out the routes

Jesse hanging the plywood sheets on the studs

All done!  Here I am getting ready to climb
one of the first times...in the rain.

My friend Cassidy in the chimney

My friend Tate getting ready to climb



Climbing in my back yard!





My dad took the video above of me climbing on the overhung route one of the first times.  I hung a cowbell at the top so you can ring it when you get all the way up.

I have to thank Jesse again for his help.  He came up with a really cool design, and then was able to make a real thing! 

I'd also like to welcome our new visitors from France.  I've noticed that a lot of people have been reading from France in the last few weeks, and I'm glad you're stopping by!

Thanks for reading!