Cover shot by Max Gordon
Editorial
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We are reaching the end of a year where most of us have said to every strange, extreme, and tragic event - "It's 2020." There are memes about how ten years have been squeezed into one and how we have all aged, adding grays to our collective heads. It's natural to hold onto hope that 2021 will be settled enough that we can actually exhale and tend to any wounds inflicted by this extreme year. I hope so.
Although we need to recuperate, I hope that we can also keep the momentum moving forward in areas where our community has only begun to gain ground - particularly with respect to equality and representation for People of Color, both within the climbing world and far beyond. With Common Climber we commit to this representation and still recognize that we have work to do. It takes an effort to overcome barriers that have been in place for generations. I embrace continuing this work and I'm grateful to those who choose to actively join in these efforts. Although 2020 has brought extreme challenges, it has also brought a wonderful accomplishment - our first book - the Anthology. We had a very successful Kickstarter campaign and are now awaiting this high gloss climbing-photo, art, and story extravaganza to come hot-off-the-press in mid-December. This month we tip our helmets to the Anthology, as well as to the fabulous Feature Photographers of this year. |
Stef on Group Therapy in Red Rock Canyon, NV
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Our main highlights in this December 2020 edition include:
You may notice that although there are splashes of color this December 2020 opening page, I decided to end this year with a bit of a black and white theme because, well, it just seemed like it fits.
Thank you so much for joining Common Climber! We are glad to have you with us. Enjoy!
Stef
- Interviews of awesome small climbing-related businesses who helped sponsor our book. Their sponsorship enabled us to give a copy of the book to each of the Common Climber contributors featured in the Anthology. I am so grateful we could honor our contributors in this way and I'm excited to share these small businesses with you (remember, many small businesses are struggling during this time of COVID. If you are looking for unique gifts this holiday, please consider these resources.)
- We have several new stories featured only in the Anthology - including an original, previously unpublished work called Psycho by Pat Ament and an in-depth story by Dave Barnes about Aussie climbing legend Kim Carrigan. In the Anthology we also introduce you to a fun, community-based group that want to highlight here The Chossy Trio Renegades. This group embodies the Common Climber concept to a T -- Bomber-T that is (read on to find out more!) -- and we just want to spread the good word!
- Lastly we have some photography for you to sink your eyes into. Phillip Booth, is THE Feature Photographer for the Anthology (with LOTS more photos in full-page spreads in the Anthology!) and, at the bottom of this page, we share selected photos from each of our Feature Photographers of 2020.
You may notice that although there are splashes of color this December 2020 opening page, I decided to end this year with a bit of a black and white theme because, well, it just seemed like it fits.
Thank you so much for joining Common Climber! We are glad to have you with us. Enjoy!
Stef
Anthology Feature Photographer - Phillip Booth
Phillip Booth lives in Sydney, Australia and captures spectacular climbing photos from across the land Down Under. In the Anthology we feature six large-format photos, one of which is a full two-page spread measuring 9" x 24", and an interview so you can get to know him a little better (more information about the Anthology is provided below.)
"Whale of a Time" at Scarborough Cliffs in New South Wales, Australia.
Marketplace Interviews
Small businesses help make our climbing world go 'round! Interviews of these small business owners give you a unique peek behind the scenes. (Plus an extra special thank you to these business for being sponsors for the Anthology. Their sponsorship allowed us to give free copes of the book to each of the contributors!) As you get to know these companies a little better, please consider give them your holiday business!
Tension Climbing makes wooden hang boards and holds for climbing, as well as climbing tape and a shoe spray – for the rubber not for the smell! We are doing an interview with Roy Quanstrom Global Sales and Marketing to learn more about this climbing small business.
An interview with small business-owner/personal climbing trainer Collin McGee of MoveWell with McGee. Collin has shared his awesome expertise with Common Climber readers through a couple of articles, one on Rock Climber Mobility and the other on Improving Hip Mobility and Strength, now we get to know a little bit more about Collin himself.
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Grimpi specializes in climbing chalk and creates colored chalk to help reduce our visual impact in climbing areas. Here we interview Noah Hall, Co-founder and Vice President of Sales for Grimpi.
Climb-On Maps makes water-proof/tear-proof approach and walk-off maps for large and often confusing climbing areas. We ask owners and husband and wife team, Rick Momsen and Stefani Dawn (who is also the Editor for/creator of Common Climber), how they decided to do this and the processes they used to create the maps.
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Furnace Industries is a small climbing-related business that specializes in ice-climbing training tools gear that can be used in gyms. Learn more about this New York/United Kingdom partnership.
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Additional Anthology Sponsors who will be featured in future Marketplace Interviews:
- Mystery Ranch
- Fixe Hardware
Chossy Trio Renegades
By Dave Barnes
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What do you get when you assemble a group of climbing friends and add beer? You get the Chossy Trio Renegades who decided their contribution to “saving the world” is bringing climbers outside and showing them how to rock.
This is pure Common Climber candy. |
2020 Feature Photographers
Available to Buy! (Shipping begins mid-December)
Proud to be a Common Climber T-Shirt
$18.00 - $20.00
Made in America high quality 50/50 poly/cotton blend shirt in Gold with the Common Climber logo composed of climbing gear and the words "Proud to be a Common Climber." The logo is professionally silk screened on the shirt (not digitally printed) and will last for years!
Anthology ($35) |
Proud to be a Common Climber T-Shirt (XS-L- $18, XL $20) |
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