Journal

The Journal is dedicated to the sports and people that make Black Diamond what it is.

  • Monday, June 14, 2010

    BD Athletes Markus & Daniel Jung report from their trip to Siurana, Spain

    The Jung Brothers, Markus and Daniel, travelled to Spain earlier this year to take care of some unfinished business. Despite snow and tricky conditions, they were lucky enough to knock off many very difficult routes. Here's their exclusive story... Markus and Daniel went to Siurana to work on a few routes that they... [READ MORE]

  • Thursday, June 3, 2010

    VIDEO: BD athlete Justin Wood bouldering in Fontainebleau, France

    Here is a second clip of Black Diamond athlete Justin Wood bouldering at France's incomparable Fontainebleau during his month-long trip there early this year. Click here to watch Justin's equally impressive first clip.   [READ MORE]

  • Friday, June 4, 2010

    Winger For The Weekend #47

    Luckily for us dogs are allowed here at Black Diamond . Equally lucky, no one that works here (that we currently now of) is training their dog to do the merengue like this guy (BTW: this Winger For The Weekend clip was sent in by our web developer Randy Hankins, who, ironically enough, does not have a dog). Well, as we quickly learned (after a... [READ MORE]

  • Thursday, June 10, 2010

    BD employee Bill Crouse completes Seven Summits

    A HUGE congratulations to Black Diamond's Northern & Eastern European Sales Manager Bill Crouse who hiked to the top of Australia's Kosciusko in May, which completed his Seven Summits: ascents of the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. Below is a timeline of Crouse's ascents with corresponding photos of him on the summits. Again,... [READ MORE]

  • Friday, June 11, 2010

    BD employee Chris Thomas summits Aguja Guillaumet in Argentine Patagonia

    Black Diamond’s Warranty Service Development Manager Chris Thomas spent three and a half weeks earlier this year down in Argentine Patagonia, waiting and hoping for a shot at one of the region’s stunning summits. Below is his trip report with all the details, along with some great photos and video by his partner for the trip,... [READ MORE]

  • Friday, June 11, 2010

    Winger For The Weekend #48

    Winger #48 marks the first time a movie star has appeared in a Winger. Paul Rudd, welcome to the Winger For The Weekend. Nice to see even the big players can still enjoy being weird. The world would be a better place if everyone would be as uninhibited as Paul about celebrating their inner Tayne or Celery Man.  ... [READ MORE]

  • Tuesday, June 15, 2010

    VIDEO: BD athlete Cedar Wright puts together

    Black Diamond athlete Cedar Wright was recently down in Australia with fellow BD athlete Matt Segal , as well as a film crew and other climbers on a TNF-sponsored trip. Cedar has since compiled this classic video that captures the trip's spectacular climbing and roller-coaster emotions (especially that of the UK's James Pearson, who's... [READ MORE]

  • Friday, June 18, 2010

    Winger For The Weekend #49

    Beatboxing is nothing new. Hell, the Fat Boys (featuring Big Buff Love the Human Beatbox) made entire albums off of it . What surprised us, however (after our graphic designer, Laurel Hunter, brought it to our attention), was how many dozens and dozens of people have uploaded videos of themselves beatboxing the Super Mario Brothers theme song.... [READ MORE]

  • Friday, June 18, 2010

    VIDEO: BD athlete Chris Erickson rips it up in Alaska

    Black Diamond athlete Chris Erickson traveled to Haines, Alaska this spring in search of the epic big mountain lines of his dreams. Did he find them? Watch this video and you’ll see the answer is clear...   [READ MORE]

  • Tuesday, June 22, 2010

    Mark Allen and Graham Zimmerman make first ascent of 4600-foot alpine big wall in Alaska

    Black Diamond supports the AMGA rock guide exam with a grant and each year we are excited to see new guides pass their exams and become certified AMGA rock guides. Such is the recent case with Mark Allen (also an AMGA-certified ski guide), who passed his exams before setting off on a wild first ascent adventure with Graham Zimmerman to Mount... [READ MORE]

  • Thursday, June 24, 2010

    BD employees Jack Tackle and Kolin Powick climb in Alaska's Ruth Gorge

    Black Diamond’s Director of Quality, Kolin Powick (KP), and Sales Rep (and Alaskan climbing vet), Jack Tackle headed up to the Ruth Gorge to get their alpine game on and try out some new gear. They experienced a typical Alaskan visit: some bad weather, some snow, some good weather, some climbing, some looking for new routes, some sitting in... [READ MORE]

  • Saturday, June 26, 2010

    Winger For The Weekend #50

    Black Diamond Europe's sales manager, David Ledouble, turned us on to this classic climbing Winger from France. If you don't speak French, don't worry, we think you'll get the gist pretty quick as this clip beautifully captures the extreme boldness and adventurous spirit of French alpinism.   [READ MORE]

  • Tuesday, June 29, 2010

    BD athlete Tim Emmett establishes the first E10 in Wales

    Black Diamond athlete Tim Emmett recently established Muy Caliente! , the first E10 in Wales. Below is Emmett’s report about the heady climb, along with some excellent photos taken by Simon Wilson.   Last summer I spotted a line of holds breaching a smooth overhanging wall in Stennis Ford, Pembroke. I love that place and have... [READ MORE]