Hardwear Sessions

The New Kid in Town by Rowan Jimenez

Since indoor climbing came to be the sport it has exposed an incredible array of people to climbing that otherwise would have never given it a chance. Due to its convenience and accessibility it also has been producing some gnarly and powerful contenders for the sport. A form of recreational activity and a sport in its own right climbing puts you on the edge, no matter what form you practice. Since the early 90's I've been one of those people who took on and stuck with it. I have made climbing my sport, my form of adventure and my community. I have worked in climbing from different angles, as a climbing instructor, as a course setter (City Rock and Touchstone about 8 yrs combined) which led me to my current job working for one the most cutting edge companies in the outdoor industry - Mountain Hardwear.

Photo by Jim Thornburg

My fascination with climbing leaned towards bouldering. All forms of climbing you can say has its own group of dedicated followers. Bouldering is one of those specialties that through the years have become a sport within the sport itself. From really hard, powerful and short to super technical and scary tall, bouldering gets your adrenaline up and going. Doing it outdoors definitely gets you pumped and embodies the freedom that climbing over all provides.

What about doing it indoors? What about a place in which you can hone your skills to tackle not only the hard but also the tall with a full top out experience just like if you were climbing as high as the classic Great White Rastafarian in Joshua Tree or Ghetto Blaster in Hueco tanks. I clearly remember daydreaming with all my climbing buddies and always skimming plans. "We should open up a pure and only bouldering gym some day guys, wouldn't that be awesome?" We all wanted that little Oasis where only chalk and shoes was all we needed.

Click here to read the full story behind the opening of Bridges Rock Gym.

Photo by Jim Thornburg

Bridges Rock Gym 5635 San Diego St. El Cerrito CA 94530.
For more information check out BridgesRockGym.com or call 510.525.5635.