by Jenny Hebert
Recently, Planet Rock was visited by Jenn Quattrocchi, owner of Vertical Girl Clothing. This friendly and out-going woman left quite an impression, and more than one Vertical Girl sticker is now pasted to various surfaces throughout the Ann Arbor gym. Based out in Seattle, the company is working their way into the Midwest. We had a chance to chat, and Jenn revealed a bit more about the company and herself.
Winter is almost here, and that can only mean one thing….It’s almost time to go Ice Climbing!!! Don’t forget that Michigan has some great options for ice climbing. First thing to keep in mind is that Planet Rock Ann Arbor will now have a dry tool route set up for you to use! Featured on the route will be some Ice Holdz, an amazing hold that actually allows you to swing into it!
Also, don’t forget about Peabody Ice, an amazing ice climbing venue for beginners and experts alike.
I can’t tell you how many times I hear the following sentence “yeah, I went to another gym. It was cool, but… it just wasn’t that fun.” Climbers in the gym always visit other gyms and never really understand what’s missing. Things always seem a little “off” or “funky” or “weird.” And here’s what’s missing:
SETTING!
The reason Planet Rock is one of the best gyms in the country is not because of our tall walls, it’s because of our great setters and our great teachers.
It’s kind of ironic, for how physically damaging our sport can be, how emotionally healing it is.
Climbing is one of the most physically and mentally stressful activities known to man. It puts heinous amounts of stress on every fiber of your body. Pulling on holds can destroy tendons, falling off boulder problems can dislocate elbows and break ankles, dynoing for holds can explode shoulders, and so on. All of these things are always present, a danger lurking behind every crimp, sloper, and pocket.
Just remember the healing climbing can offer you.
This week’s blog comes complete with a handy dandy link at the bottom, directing you to check out an episode of NPR’s “Radiolab”. It examines the known limits of human potential, and the different discoveries surrounding the research into how to break those limits and push new boundaries.
It got me thinking. What are we all REALLY capable of? How many times in your life have your shattered a perceived weakness/limitation without even noticing? It seems we all have the potential to switch off the part of our brain that says “Nope. Not today.
