Author: Eva Thompson
Red Rock: Getting Oriented
Red Rock was our first stop. For many of the athletes, it was their first time climbing on real rock. Watching them learn to read sandstone, adjust their movement, and work through unfamiliar sequences was a reminder of how different outdoor climbing can be.
With temperatures soaring above 30°C, we adjusted our schedule accordingly. Most days started before 5 a.m., with climbing sessions wrapped up by noon. The rest of the day was spent back at the Airbnb, where we cooled off in the pool, played games, and hung out as a team. Half the magic of this trip happens off the wall. It gives athletes the time to connect in a way that's hard to find during a busy training season.
Moe’s Valley: Settling In
After Red Rock, we made our way to Moe’s Valley, where the group hit the ground running. By then, the athletes had found their rhythm. They were picking their own problems, offering each other beta, spotting with care, and leaning into the process together. As coaches, we were able to step back and let them take ownership of their climbing.
The rhythm continued: early starts, focused sessions, and long, easygoing afternoons. These in-between moments, shared meals, inside jokes, and spontaneous card games, are where the group really came together. It’s easy to think of climbing trips as just about sending, but the off-the-wall time is often just as impactful.
Looking Back
This trip has never been just about performance. It’s a pause in the intensity of comp season, a reminder that climbing doesn’t have to revolve around results. There’s a whole other side to the sport where progress is personal, creativity matters, and the joy comes from the experience itself.
The climbs were great, but what really stood out was the energy of the group, watching the athletes build trust, laugh together, and support one another. They came back not just stronger climbers, but a more connected team. I’m already counting down the days until we do it all again next year.
