Sunday, March 25

Saturday, March 17

ABS NATIONALS 2012

Focusing in on the task at hand, Charlie laces up his shoes before his turn to climb.










ABS Nationals was in Colorado Springs over the first weekend in March.  Our own Charlie Barron had a very strong showing placing 4th out of 40 competitors and topped out on 9 of the 10 problems he faced in competition.

Click here for video from finals day at Nationals.

Saturday, March 10

Have you met Daniel yet?
















As the team prepares to head into the great outdoors I wanted to share my excitement in having Daniel Burson commit to helping coach the team this summer.  Daniel is an accredited American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) guide who guest guides for Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, Beartooth Mountain Guides, and Montana Alpine Guides and, luckily for us, lives in Billings.

Education:  B.A. in Biology from Hendrix College in Conway Arkansas, NOLS Wilderness Leadership Course, Certified Leave No Trace Trainer, Wilderness First Responder Certification, Healthcare Provider CPR Certification

Years Climbing: 11

AMGA Coursework:  Completion and passing marks in the AMGA Rock Instructor and Ice Instructor Courses and attending the Alpine Guide Course in June 2012

Significant Alpine Climbs:  West Ridge (AI3) and Ham and Eggs (AI4, 5.9), Mooses Tooth, Alaska; Asteroid Alley (5.9), Mt. Andromeda, Canada; Direct Exum Ridge (5.8), Grand Teton, Wyoming; Crow Lake Buttress (5.11+), Beartooths; Ignorance Gully (AI3, 5.9), Granite Peak, Montana; and many failed attempts that taught me so much...

Favorite Rims Climb: Brown Sugar

Favorite Billings Boulder Problem: Sun Crack

Favorite Ice Climb: There are so many. Can it be a tie between Sand Dune Falls and California Ice?

Other Info:  He plans to complete his full AMGA certification in the Rock and Alpine Guide disciplines, a process that will probably take another four years.

Thursday, March 1

2012 Summer Outdoor Session Dates

Below are dates for the 2012 summer outdoor session.  Costs, Expectations, and Sign-ups will follow in the next month.

The session will start in May with a 3 week mandatory indoor session focusing on safety techniques followed by outdoor trip dates spread out over the summer.

Mandatory May Safety Technique Session.
Junior Team - Top Ropes: born 2003-1999  -  6pm - 7:30pm
Senior Team - Lead Climbing: born 1998 - 1993  -  7:30pm - 9pm

May 2012 - DATES ADJUSTED APRIL 26TH
Tuesday - 8th 15th

Thursday - 10th 17th
Tuesday - 15th 22nd
Thursday - 17th 24th
Tuesday - 22nd 29th
Thursday - 24th 31st

Summer Outdoor Trips
actual meetup times to be determined

June 2012
Sunday - 3rd - Dirtfest, Zimmerman Park, Billings
Saturday - 23rd - Timber Canyon, Bridger MT -
2 weekday sessions at Gregory Hills will be scheduled during June

July 2012
Saturday - 21st - The Island, Cody WY
2 weekday sessions at Gregory Hills will be scheduled during July

August 2012
Saturday 11th - The Island, Cody WY
2 weekday sessions at Gregory Hills will be scheduled during August

September 2012
Saturday 1st - 3rd - Labor Day Weekend - Ten Sleep Canyon, Ten Sleep WY
Unguided Team Meetup for climbers comfortable with sport lead climbing.