Mazamas

Rock climbing can be thought of as the pairing of two abilities:  the technical side of belaying, rappelling, anchor building, etc, and the physical movement.  The Mazamas have you covered in both areas.  For the technical skills, you can take any of the classes offered by the Mazamas or practice the basics at our Summer Rock Program held throughout the summer.  For the movement, there’s Climb Night!

Rock climbing is more than just “getting up the thing”.  It’s also about moving with confidence and assurance (maybe even elegance?), and this is something gained only through practice.  When we gain this skill and confidence in our climbing, it’s all the more fun.  From an easy alpine scramble to a 5.10 route at Smith Rock, rather than causing fear and apprehension, with some technique practice these areas can be the anticipated highlights of the entire climb!  A skilled climber eagerly looks forward to the technical cruxes (hardest point of the route) because they knows the demands are within their ability level.  This makes the overall climb more enjoyable… and after all, that’s why we’re out there in the first place, right?  As the late, great Alex Lowe said:  the best climber is the one who’s having the most fun.

To this end, we invite you to join us for Mazama Climb Night at ClubSport’s rock gym for the winter season!  Climb Night is open to ALL Mazama members and non-members, regardless of age or climbing ability. We’ll have a supportive and beginner-friendly atmosphere to climb in with your friends and an opportunity to make some new ones.  Bring a friend or three and come on down!  BCEP students / grads welcome!  Don’t have a regular belay partner?  Come on by anyway – we can usually pair you up with someone for the evening.  Families are also welcome! This is a great way to introduce your kids to climbing on some of the kid-friendly walls at the gym.

Climb Night focuses on technique practice, not instruction.  For newcomers, we would encourage you to take an introductory rock climbing class (offered at ClubSport and other rock gyms in the Portland area) to learn belaying, signals and knot-tying.  Once you know how to belay, you’ll have all the more confidence when someone belays you!

Climb Night at ClubSport

Where:	ClubSport Oregon (18120 SW Lower Boones Ferry Rd, Tigard) Google Map to ClubSport (~20 minutes from downtown)
When:	7-11pm - first Monday of the month (November - April) Climb Night 2012-13:  Nov 5, Dec 3, Jan 7, Feb 4, Mar 4, Apr 1, May 6.
Cost:	$10 Mazama members / $15 non-members (cash/check only please!)  Be sure to bring your membership sticker or you’ll be charged non-member rate.  ClubSport members climb free.
Families:	Kids under 18 climb for $10; adults who belay and don’t climb are free.
Rentals:	$5 harness, $6 rock-shoes - or $9 for both
Questions:	Climb Night coordinator - Paul Kallmann - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Pre-registration is not required.  On arrival at the rental desk, say that you’re with the Mazamas, sign in & pay your fee - then head over into the climbing area.  All belayers must first pass a brief safety check by gym staff.  Those under 18 will need a parent/guardian who can sign a permission form the night of the event.

Check out a few pics from Climb Night…

What to Bring:

ClubSport provides gri-gris (a type of auto-locking belay device) on every rope so there’s no need to bring a belay device of your own.  Helmets are not necessary at the rock gym.  The gym has excellent facilities and changing rooms available for use.

Mazama Climb Night is sponsored by the Adventurous Young Mazamas (AYM) for the entire organization.  We hope you can join us for the winter indoor climbing season. Climb on!