Montana Bouldering Championships

 

The Montana Bouldering Championships will be held Saturday February 8th at Steepworld Climbing Gym.  More details to follow in the coming weeks. 

Practice Tuesday Nov 26th

There will be practice Tuesday for anyone still in town.

Steezy Rock Jam - Saturday November 23rd

Preregister here for the Steezy Rock Jam

 The Steezy Rock Jam will be held Saturday November 23! Times and fee’s are listed below! 

YOUTH COMP:
Registration begins at 10:00am
Climbing from 11:00am - 2:00pm
Prizes awarded at 2:30pm
Preregistration* Fee USAC Member: $35
Preregistration* Fee Non USAC Member: $40
Day of Registration Fee USAC Member: $40
Day of Registration Fee Non USAC Member: $45

ADULT COMP:
Registration begins at 5:00pm
Climbing from 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Prizes awarded at 9:30pm
Preregistration* Fee: $35
Day of Registration Fee: $40

Bozeman Full Gravity Day Registration

Online Registration for Full Gravity Day ($40) is now online and can be found HERE.
Spire is a friendly gym with great terrain and has always hosted a solid event.  We look forward to introducing our new team members to the heart of of the Bozeman climbing community.

Event Schedule, Youth Competition:
 9:00 am Registration opens (Heat 1) ABS Sanctioned
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Heat 1 - Youth A, B, C, D, and Junior
12:30 pm Pizza served
2:00 pm Awards (Heat 1)

We ask that all kids show up by 9:30am.

And for those that may be wondering, Missoula Competition Results HERE.  I was able to attend with Dillon and was impressed with the improvements gained over the past month.

Missoula Hotel Info

The University of Montana has a football game Saturday afternoon which has made arranging hotels a tad bit difficult.  Some people are staying at the C'mon Inn which is now full.  Dillon and I will be staying at the Motel 6 next door.  A few rooms remain if you have not gotten a room in town yet.

Missoula Gnar Pirate Booty Bash

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26th.  Climbing goes 12pm-3pm.  We're asking all Steepteam climbers to arrive by 11:30am.

Save $5 and sign up online HERE

Freestone Climbing Gym is located HERE

We'll pass along team hotel information for Friday night later this week.

Sooooo, Who's this Dillon Guy?????

Dillon bouldering in Cody

I'd like to take the chance to introduce you all to our new head coach, Dillon Key. I'm excited to have him, I'm excited by his enthusiasm, and I think his skills will take Steepteam to new levels. I recently had the chance to sit down with him and figure out what's underneath that mane of hair you often see putting up routes at the gym.

Where are you from? and why did you move to Billings?
I grew up in Houston, TX, and moved to Billings last August to attend MSU-B.

What are you studying at MSU-B? Majoring in Outdoor Adventure Leadership with a minor in Business.

What is your competitive climbing experience? I climbed on Team Natural in Houston when I was in high school.

What is your coaching experience? In Texas I was an assistant coach on Team Natural in Houston, and with Team Austin Rock Gym in Austin. This past year I ran Steep School at Steepworld, attended Nationals for both youth sport climbing and bouldering, and attended USA Climbing's national coaching symposium.

What is your route setting experience? How does that tie into coaching climbing? I have been setting for two years now, I currently have my USA Climbing Level 1 Certification. Being a good setter requires a well rounded knowledge of climbing technique and movement which will be very beneficial to coaching.

What's unique about Billings climbing? Billings climbing is unique in that we have several bouldering spots and many sport/trad climbs all within a 10 minute drive.

What are your favorite routes in Billings? fav easy boulder problem, moderate boulder problem, gnarly boulder problem? I have not done much route climbing in Billings, but out of what I have gotten on, I would say "The Last Best Route in Billings" is my favorite rope climb. My favorite easy boulder problem is Phipps Arete, moderate problem; Rocky Top Orange Soda, and gnarly problem; Heath Bar Crunch.

What is unique to coaching climbing from all the other sports? Coaching climbing is unique, because each athlete is competing against themselves, trying to push past mental barriers and climb at their best, whereas in other sports there is more of a focus on competing against an opponent.

You seem like a scrawny dude, what are your strengths in climbing? Being scrawny can have its perks, for instance, I have a less weight to throw around, which is why I enjoy overhangs. But I would say my style leans more towards moves requiring a lot of body tension and subtle adjustments.

Have you ever been to / do you want to go to Dillon Montana? I have never been to Dillon, MT, and I probably couldn’t even point it out on a map, but if I ever do go there, I’ll make sure and take a picture by a road sign with my name on it.

Anything else you'd like to share with us? I’m very excited to take over as head coach and can’t wait to see what this season has in store.

Dillon sport climbing in Ten Sleep Wyoming

Dillon putting up one of his first first ascents in Billings.  The sit start to the Sharks Fin V6 at Phipps.

Winter 2013-2014 Competitive Season Finalized

This evening the Steepteam board met and finalized the Winter 2013-2014 Competitive Season.  Full details and expectations are below.

HOW TO SIGN UP
We will host an in-person sign up session 6-7pm Tuesday October 1st at Steepworld Climbing gym.  Waivers can be signed, team fees can be collected (the team cannot accept credit cards at this time), gym memberships can be paid (credit cards accepted), and kids can meet and climb with new coach Dillon Key.  If you cannot make the sign-up session please call Joel Anderson (406-860-7616) prior to secure your spot on the team.

WINTER COMPETITION SEASON
The Steepteam Fall Winter Season is open to all youth climbers ages 8-18 and focuses on indoor competition climbing. The team will participate in a tour of bouldering competitions against other Montana youth teams in Missoula and Bozeman. All competitions are bouldering competitions, meaning climbs are 10-15 feet tall with a padded floor and climbers do not use ropes.

LOCAL CLIMBING or USA CLIMBING

We have decided to renew our focus in developing life long climbers.  We feel that local competitions provide great benchmarking and goal setting opportunities in a friendly environment while helping foster the greater Montana climbing community.  Thus, we are not requiring team members to participate in USA Climbing sanctioned events.  Climbers wishing to compete at a USAC level will still have continued support by the team and coaches.

GEAR:
All team members are required to have their own gear, this includes shoes, chalk bag, and appropriate climbing attire. Rental shoes greatly hinder the development of good footwork and are not acceptable.

2013-14 WINTER SCHEDULE
Starting Tuesday October 8th practices will be twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays with breaks for the holidays at Steepworld Climbing Gym.

Junior Team: (born in 2005 - 2001) 6pm - 7:30pm

Senior Team: (born in 2000 - 1995) 7:30pm - 9pm

Competitions:

October 26 - Saturday - Missoula Competition

November 9 - Saturday - Bozeman Competition

November 23 - Saturday - Billings Competition

December 14 - Saturday - (OPTIONAL) USAC Regional Championship - location TBD

January 18th - Saturday - (OPTIONAL) USAC Divisional Championship - location TBD

February 1st - Saturday - Montana Bouldering Championships - Billings

Full Competition info will be provided at a later date.

Full Calendar Schedule can be found here.

EXPECTED COMPETITION SEASON COSTS:
$315 + competition fees and travel costs for the 4 month Winter session. The total cost is broken down below.

GYM FEES: 
$135 for a 4 month gym membership. Steepteam practices at Steepworld Climbing Gym in Billings Montana. Team members are expected to maintain a membership at the gym while team is in session. Annual and family memberships are also available that may reduce costs. Gym fees are separate from team fees.

TEAM FEE:
$180. Fees cover coaches time and travel for 28 practices, 4 competitions, team shirt, team hoody, insurance, administration, and other necessities needed to run the Steepteam non-profit program.

COMPETITION FEES:
To be determined. Climbing competitions have entry fees around $25-$45 per competition and the team attends at minimum 3 competitions per season. These prices are set by the host gym and cover the costs for routesetters to set and prepare for the comp as well as t-shirts, awards, gym time, etc.

SCHOLARSHIPS:
Steepteam offers need based scholarships on a case by case basis. Talk to Steepteam Director Joel Anderson (406) 860-7616

ABOUT STEEPTEAM:
Steepteam is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to providing climbing mentorship and training to Billings area youth interested in improving their climbing skills through practice and competition.

Competitive Head Coach: Dillon Key (281) 450-2422
Non-Profit Board Members: Joel Anderson (406) 860-7616, Thad McGrail, Jim Barron

Openings Still Available for this Summer's Session

We still have spaces available for this summer's Steepteam Session.  If you are interested, plan to show up to the first practice, Tuesday May 14th, and please call Joel Anderson at (406)860-7616 or Thad McGrail (406)860-0118.  More details are in the post below.

Banff Mountain Film Festival

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is this Wednesday May 1st at 7pm at Lincoln Center downtown Billings.  While not an official team event, the selection of films are mountain recreation oriented and always inspiring.  If you have some free time in your schedule I highly recommend attending.  I believe tickets are $10.

Outdoor Summer Session 2013

EXPECTATIONS

Steepteam is not a guide service for beginners. Steepteam is a program for youth with climbing experience to develop further skills towards becoming a life long rock climber. Outdoor safety techniques are the primary focus of our outdoor summer session. Younger team members will learn and practice the skills of top roping while older team members learn and develop their sport climbing techniques.  Everyone is expected to attend the May indoor sessions.  Climbers showing minimal progress with the taught safety techniques will not be allowed to join the team outside.

Our outdoor trips frequent locations like the Rims above Billings, Cody WY, Paradise Valley MT, and Ten Sleep, WY. We maintain a maximum 4:1 climber to guide ratio on all outdoor trips.

COACHES

This summer we will have AMGA Certified Guide Daniel Burson and Beartooth Pioneer Chad Chadwick.  Both are very experienced and also guide with Beartooth Mountain Guides.

DATES & APROXIMATE TIMES

Indoor Sessions: 

Junior Team (born 2000 - 2004) - 6-7:30pm 

Senior Team (born 1994-1999) - 7:30-9pm

May 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30 

Evenings on the Rims: 

June 4, 13,18, 27 and July 2, 16, 18, 23

Saturday Day Trips:  

June 8th (Allenspur near Livingston) 

June 22 (TBD) 

July 13 (The Island near Cody) 

July 27 (TBD)

REGISTRATION

To maintain a safe climbing environment we strictly adhere to a 4:1 climber to guide ratio in our outdoor sessions.  We will host a registration session at Steepworld Climbing Gym on Wednesday May 8th from 5:30pm - 7pm. If you cannot attend the registration session and plan on climbing with the team this summer, please call Joel Anderson at (406)860-7616 or Thad McGrail (406)860-0118 prior to the 8th.

If you are interested in Steepteam but new to rock climbing Steepworld Climbing Gym offers great options for beginner climbers.  The Steepteam fall competitive indoor session is open to all youth climbers ages 9-18 interested in attending climbing competitions.  The fall session will begin in October, details and schedule are to be determined but expected to be similar to previous years.

COSTS

The team fee for the 2013 summer session is $250 per climber, the same as 2012.  Steepteam operates as a 501c3 non-profit and all fees go directly back into the program. The summer fee helps us pay for experienced coaches and guides, group gear (ropes, anchors, helmets, and quickdraws), insurance, and other administrative costs associated with running the Steepteam program. For comparison's sake, a hired climbing guide for a full day will cost you $200-$350. We're offering 6 indoor education sessions and 12 outdoor sessions. Team members are also expected to maintain a membership at Steepworld Climbing Gym while the team uses their facilities. 

SCHOLARSHIPS

Steepteam offers need based scholarships.  Contact Joel or Thad for more information.

Volunteers Needed

As we prepare for the upcoming competition on Saturday we are looking for any volunteers, adult or senior team member, to help assist with washing holds.  Due to the large volume of handholds that get taken down and then need to go back up on the wall in a short period of time, we're always looking for an extra set of hands to help us meet our deadlines.  We'll even buy the volunteer(s) dinner Wednesday night and give them a tour of the competition routesetting process.  Please contact Joel if interested.  We'd greatly appreciate any bit of time donated to us.

Montana Bouldering Championship 2013 Registration

Pre-register online HERE, or at the gym.

Wrapping Up the Competitive Season

Our Schedule for the next couple weeks looks like this........

Thur - Jan 24 - practice
Tues - Jan 29 - last practice of the season
Thur - Jan 31 - no practice
Tues - Feb 5 - Team Pizza Party, wall teardown.  Begins at 6pm.
Thur - Feb 7 - no practice, competition preparation
Sat - Feb 9 - 2pm - The 2013 Montana Bouldering Championship.

Youth Outdoor Climbing Opportunities for Summer 2013

Touch the Sky Youth Climbing out of Bozeman, run by Bozeman coach Aaron Hjelt, is offering up some big trips for the ambitious climber this summer.  Climbing trips to Germany, Canada, Ten Sleep, and Bozeman.  More information is available here.

Steepteam will be announcing our local summer outdoor plans in February.

Montana Bouldering Championships 2013

The last scheduled comp of the year is the Montana Bouldering Championships, hosted by Steepworld on February 9th beginning at 2:15pm.  The comp was originally scheduled for February 2nd, but was pushed back a week by request of the gym.  See the official competition website for more information.  As a fund raiser for Steepteam, all proceeds for this competition go to the Steepteam 501c3 fund to help cover insurance costs for our outdoor summer trips.