MELANIN BASE CAMP

With over 200,000 problems on the kilter app, it can be overwhelming to pick a fun problem. My last post went over my favorite setters for a variety of steep angles. But that can still be too many options for the climber short on time or new to the app. I’m going to be honest…I am not the best at distinguishing V2 from V3 or V3+ from V4. So I made a list of climbs that I thought would be enjoyable for the new steep climber and I put it to the test. I had a friend who I recently introduced to the kilterboard try my list of climbs at 55 degrees. Here are beta videos for five problems we both agreed were fun for newbies to 55 degrees.

At thirty years old, I had never held a fishing rod. Never tied a fly, never cast a line, never felt the tug of a fish fighting on the other end. But I'd always been drawn to the idea of fly fishing.

I’m likely the world’s biggest Kilterboard fan! It’s great at multiple angles and for all levels of climbers. Although I jokingly call this angle “slab climbing” , 55 degrees is truly steep climbing. For climbers not familiar with climbing at steep angles, the change in technique and strength required can be quite jolting. Here are some of my favorite well-rounded setters at 55 degrees to make your transition to steep climbing easier!

I enjoy how climbing is just as much mental as physical. You rely on body tension and technique, instead of attempting to brutishly muscle my way up the wall. When I can’t figure out a route, I often think about the moves when I’m away from the gym.

After a spinal cord injury in 2019, I was unable to weight my feet while climbing (and barely while standing). With muscle weakness and no feeeling, I couldn’t tell the difference between rock and air. My spinal fusion in 2023 has improved my muscle strength greatly and has somewhat improved my feeling. Nearly every workout I’ve done for the past 2 years has been focused on being able to maintain body tension. I’m finally starting to reap the benefits of all these workouts. I thought I’d share the top four climbing exercises that have helped me avoid cutting feet.

Mario founded the nonprofit Un Mar de Colores to bring global majority kids in San Diego County to the beach and teach them to surf, be safe in the ocean, and be stewards of the environment. This is where the magic happens.

The outdoors can be a dangerous place and fear might initially keep you from trying new things. So here are four reasons why you should do it scared. 

After climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro this year, I started wondering, What’s next? Moving my body makes me happy, but sometimes training feels boring without a goal to work toward. I wanted something that felt just outside my comfort zone.

I also know that hunger disproportionately impacts Black Americans who make up nearly 30% of SNAP recipients. So why would I celebrate cuts to a program that is a lifeline for so many people?