The VooDoo Climbing Blog: January 2008

1/31/08

Northern Arizona Climbers Coalition

We finally got the NACC rolling again - a new board has been elected and a new website launched! Now it's time to raise funds, take care of business, etc... So if you're ready to join the NACC, volunteer, or just want to know what's new check out the new website http://www.nazclimbers.com/

1/28/08

Lisa Rands Sends The Mandala V12

Lisa makes history once again!
Check out the following links for more details

Planet Mountain (International)

Desnivel (Spain)

Also of note is that the NBC TV show of her climbing in Bishop - The link It may take a while to load, and is a two-part video.

1/24/08

my crash pad is cuter than yours...

Local Flagstaff artist Emma Gardner really did a number on Betsy's new voodoo crash pad - a gift from her fabulous husband Ryan! I hear Emma is willing to customize more voodoo pads - so if you're looking for something truly unique let us know! I need a new crash pad ;-)

Betsy bouldering at the Anvils

1/23/08

big sexy

VooDoo Climber - Sam Davis on "Big Sexy" at the Anvil Boulders in Sedona.

1/20/08

sedona climbing

Took a day off to defrost in the lovely desert about 30 minutes south in Sedona, AZ. Climbed for the first time at a fun sport / trad sandstone area above the anvil boulders with Susan, Margot, Frank, Jeff, Roxanna & Rich. Another fun day with good friends.

The View

Jeff sending

Margot soaking up the sun

Red

Margot's second outdoor route

Susan

Rich

Me & Rich

Rich & Rox

1/18/08

more grips

I’m trying to get a bunch of our shapes back into production - I have well over 1000 molds just sitting on shelves collecting dust - not to mention an entire pallet rack of brand new foam shapes that have never been molded! It's just a matter of going through them, reorganizing sets & molding new holds. I swear I’m working on it - it’s just a little overwhelming at times. Here are a few new sets & a system hold that just made it back into production. Keep checking back or drop me a line to let me know which holds you’d be happy to climb on again.

Pocket Set 4

System Hold #7 - Deep 3 Finger Pocket

Anarchist set 1

Desert Sandstone

1/14/08

ugh

Every Tuesday & Thursday four friends meet Ryan for a scheduled suffer fest. We committed to at least 5 months of his training program. We were all a little scared, but we went for it anyway. Now we actually look forward to the "pain train" - tough exercises, jump rope?(really, again?- jump rope?) music, smiles, trash talking & encouragement. Who knew working out could be fun? None of this changes the fact that I have a hard time getting out of bed every-single-day!!!! I did manage to pull myself up on my climbing wall last night -
b a r e l y. Exhausted, achy and loving it! Thanks Ryan! ;-)
m o a n...g r o a n...w h i n e…

1/6/08

happy new year!

I didn't think anything could top the Christmas Santa brought my super cool silver glitter ten-speed, OR the year the oh-so-hot barbie dream house was under the tree!
It's snowing like crazy here in Flagstaff, AZ & it's hard to adjust after a fabulous holiday in Maui! Thanks P&W for the best Christmas ever!

A few VooDoo Innovations

Environmentally Responsible
The original environmentally responsible urethane climbing hold: VooDoo holds are made with a bombproof semi elastic mix. Our specially formulated polyurethane mix is non TDI, non mercury and our pigments are lead free, creating a safer climbing hold for the buyer and the manufacturer. After 15 years of working with urethanes and understanding all of the benefits we’re happy to see other hold companies are finally switching to urethanes.

Pure Base Technology
VooDoo created a unique manufacturing process that allows us to laminate a pure, semi-flexible base (comparable to the consistency of a modern skateboard wheel) to the standard core material of our holds. The advantages:
*Semi-flexible base adjusts to the surface contours of climbing walls
*Softer base creates more friction between the hold and the wall, dramatically reducing spinning holds.
*Improves the safety and durability of our holds by allowing the edge of the hold to flex rather than chip off and create ugly and sometimes dangerous sharp edges.
*Pure Base does not alter the shape or the texture of the climbing hold, and has been tested to withstand the common cleaning solutions used by climbing gyms across the country.

Dual Texture holds
VooDoo was the first to create dual texture holds and we are still the best at it. The slick texture forces the climber to use the textured gripping surface on the hold which requires more accuracy. Dual texture holds are many course setters’ favorites because they make it difficult to cheat a move.

Hollow Back holds
VooDoo revolutionized the hold industry by inventing the hollow back hold. The hollow backs make our holds lightweight and easier to handle while setting routes. By using less material we keep the cost of the hold and shipping down.

Sliding bolts
Another VooDoo innovation, with a sliding bolt there are more options to use existing t nut locations, allowing you to slide the bolt where you need it. Two attachment points make it so the bigger holds can’t spin.