Monday, March 21

Spring Fling 2016



Date: April 9, 2016

Location: Spire Climbing Center - 13 Enterprise Blvd, Bozeman, MT

Schedule:
9:00am - Registration Opens* 
10:00am - Climbing Begins 
12:00pm - BBQ
2:00pm - Climbing Ends 
2:30pm - Awards
*We are asking that all Steepteam members arrive by 9:30 at the latest.  

Registration can be taken care of online at http://www.spireclimbingcenter.com/onlineregistration. Early registration ends 4/3/16, and is $40, registration after 4/3 is $45, and t- shirts are an additional $5.

If it has been over a year since you were at Spire, please save time and fill out a waiver before the morning of the comp by visiting http://www.spireclimbingcenter.com/waiver.

Please remember to bring your harness with you as this is a rope climbing competition. Additional information can be found at: http://www.spireclimbingcenter.com/spring-fling-2016 Please contact 

Dillon Key at (281) 450-2422 if you have any questions!

Sunday, February 21

Spring Session

HOW TO SIGN UP
We will host a sign-up session and first practice Monday, February 29th, from 6pm- 8pm, 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). If you cannot make the sign-up, please call Dillon Key (281-450-2422) prior to secure your spot on the team.

SPRING COMPETITION SEASON
The Steepteam Spring Extended Season is open to current Steepteam members as well as new climbers who are approved by coaches, and focuses on indoor competition climbing. The team will have the opportunity to compete in the USAClimbing Sport Climbing Series (SCS) and travel and compete in competitions from Bozeman to Pocatello.  All competitions are sport climbing competitions, meaning climbers will be on ropes, either top rope (YD-YC) or lead climbing (YB-Jr).

LOCAL CLIMBING or USA CLIMBING
We have decided to renew our focus in developing lifelong 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.  Additionally, a harness and belay device (preferably an ATC) is highly recommended for all climbers, and required for those who wish to compete.

SHOES
Rental shoes greatly hinder the development of good footwork and are not acceptable. Shape and fit are the number one priority. All team members should have a climbing shoe with a downward pointed toe, preferably velcro or slip-on. The fit of the shoe should be snug and tight with little foot pain. Shoes should be sized for no more than six months of growth. 

2015 SPRING SCHEDULE
Starting Monday, February 29th practices will be twice a week, Monday and Thursdays with breaks for the holidays at Steepworld Climbing Gym, and will continue through May 12th.    Junior and Senior Team: 6pm - 8pm

EXPECTED COMPETITION SEASON COSTS
$225 + competition fees and travel costs = total for the 2.5 month Spring session. The total cost is broken down below.

TEAM FEE
$120.00 - Fees cover coaches time and travel for 19 practices, 3 competitions, insurance, administration, and other necessities needed to run the Steepteam nonprofit program. Currently the non-profit is unable to accept credit cards.

GYM FEES
$105 for a 3 month gym membership. Steepteam practices at Steepworld Climbing Gym in Billings Montana but is a separately operated non-profit, thus two different fees need to be paid. 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.

COMPETITION FEES
To be determined. Climbing competitions have entry fees around $40-$60 per competition and the team attends at minimum 1-2 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;  Assistant Coach: Aj Elliston

Non-Profit Board Members: Joel Anderson (406) 860-7616, Joel Svec, Jim Barron

Sunday, January 24

Montana Bouldering Championships 2016

Hosted at SteepWorld Climbing Gym on Saturday, January 30th.  See poster below for more details.  Hope to see you there!



Thursday, October 29

Full Gravity Day 2015



SATURDAY, November 14.  Climbing goes from 10a- 1p, check in begins at 9a.  We ask that all Steepteam climbers arrive by 9:30a at the latest.  Pre-registration fee is $40, or $45 at the door, for registered USAC climbers as well as non-USAC climbers.

Online registration and more information can be found HERE

Full Gravity Day will be held at Spire Climbing Center, located at 13 Enterprise Blvd.
Be sure to fill out a liability waiver prior to arriving on competition day, this waiver can be filled out electronically HERE.

All Steepteam members are expected to travel and attend local competitions, if you have a conflict and will not be able to attend, please contact Dillon Key at (281) 450-2422 via text or call.

Please contact Dillon Key or Joel Anderson with any questions, either at practice or by phone.

Thursday, October 8

Booty Bash 2015




SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17.  Climbing goes from 10a- 1p, check in begins at 9a.  We ask that all Steepteam climbers arrive by 9:30a at the latest.  Registration fees are $50 for registered USAC climbers as well as non-USAC climbers.

Online registration and more information can be found HERE

The Booty Bash will be held at Freestone Climbing Center, located at 935 Toole Cir.
Be sure to fill out a liability waiver prior to arriving on competition day, this waiver can be filled out electronically HERE.

All Steepteam members are expected to travel and attend local competitions, if you have a conflict and will not be able to attend, please contact Dillon Key at (281) 450-2422 via text or call.

Please contact Dillon Key or Joel Anderson with any questions, either at practice or by phone.

Thursday, August 27

2015-16 Winter Competitive Season

The next Winter Season is coming up soon!  We are excited for what this season has in store.  Below is information about this upcoming winter, a schedule, and expectations.  If you have any questions, please contact Dillon Key at (281) 450-2422 via call or text.

It is also important to note that as of Sept. 1, 2015, the USA Climbing Regional Realignment Plan will take effect.  More information about our new Region (301) and Division (3) can be found HERE.

LOCAL CLIMBING // USA CLIMBING
Local competitions will be required as we feel that they provide great benchmarking and goal setting opportunities in a friendly environment while helping foster the greater Montana climbing community.  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.  Our focus is to develop lifelong climbers.

2015-16 WINTER SCHEDULE
Starting Thursday, October 1st, practices will be twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays, at Steepworld, with breaks for the holidays.
Junior Team: (born in 2007 - 2003) 6:00 - 7:30pm
Senior Team: (born in 2002 - 1997) 7:30 - 9:00pm

Sign Ups:  September 28, 7:00 - 8:00pm at Steepworld climbing gym.

Competitions:
October 17 - Saturday - Missoula Competition
November 14 - Saturday - Bozeman Competition
November 21 - Saturday - Billings Competition
December 12 - Saturday - (OPTIONAL) USAC Regional Championship - Lehi, UT
January 9-10 - Sat-Sun - (OPTIONAL) USAC Divisional Championship - Ogden, UT
January 30 - Saturday - Montana Bouldering Championships
February 5-7 - Fri-Sun - (OPTIONAL) USAC National Championship - TBD

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.

EXPECTED COMPETITION SEASON COSTS
$345 + competition fees and travel costs for the 4 month Winter session. The total cost is broken down below.

4 Month Gym Membership: $145
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. Gym fees are separate from team fees.
Steepteam Fee: $200. 
Fees cover coaches time and travel for 29 practices,  competitions, team shirt, insurance, administration, and other necessities needed to run the Steepteam non-profit program.
Competition Entry Fee: TBD
Climbing competitions have entry fees around $25-$50 per competition.  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.

Steepteam Head Coach: Dillon Key (281) 450-2422
Steepteam Board Members: Joel Anderson (406) 860-7616, Joel Svec, Jim Barron

Monday, May 18

Additional Summer Opportunities!

Montana Wilderness School

"Montana Wilderness School is an outdoor education program that runs three-week summer expedition trips of either mountaineering and backpacking or packrafting, canoeing, and backpacking for 16 to18 year olds. All the trips are located in Montana and we are trying to primarily get Montana kids out in Montana wilderness areas, working as a group and learning new skills (including a Wilderness First Aid Certification which is unheard of for students of this age)! We also have a huge scholarship fund that will allow us to give partial or full rides to any student that needs financial help and we also cover most gear and equipment needed for all trips :) We don't want money to be a barrier for anyone who wants to participate in our trips!"

Website: http://montanawildernessschool.org/

There is a Billings' Parent Information Meeting being held in the Community Room of the Billing's Public Library on Tuesday, May 19, from 6- 7pm.

MWS Summer 2015 Expedition dates:
Mountains to Missouri: 25 days-June 21st to July 15th
Bob Marshall Backpack/Packraft: 20 days-July 26th to August 15th
Montana Mountaineering: 20 days- Session 1: June 28th to July 18th;  20 days- Session 2: August 2nd to August 22nd





Touch the Sky Climbing

"TOUCH THE SKY provides climbing opportunities to youth in order to foster environmental stewardship, physical awareness, and interpersonal relationships. Our programs are fun, challenging, and create memories that will last a lifetime."


TTS Summer Dates:
2015 France Sport Climbing Trips: Les Gorges Du Tarn - June 15-July 1;  Ceuse and Verdon - July 13-August 4
2015 South Dakota Road Trips: Spearfish Canyon - June 21-28 (Ages 11-14);  August 10-21 (Ages 14-18)



End of the Spring Season

Our Spring Season has come to a close and we would like to thank all of our climbers and parents who made this season rock.  We had a great group for this season and we were able to finish with a fun evening on the Rims.


Don't forget that our Summer Session is coming up in July and will include trips to Cody and Ten Sleep, WY!  Have a fantastic summer and thanks again to everyone that made this season so spectacular.