Author Archives: Rock Rose Blog, LLC

Part IV of Robot Kaya: Demographics of Route Development in Climbing

Part IV of VI: Route Names    I am all for people of color outdoor routesetting. One of the reasons I like a diverse set of people route developing is to, at the very very least, have better route naming practices. Yes, it’s partially about control. Who has control over these names and the power toContinueContinue reading “Part IV of Robot Kaya: Demographics of Route Development in Climbing”

Part III of Robot Kaya: Demographics of Route Development in Climbing

Part III of VI: Robot Blocks    Robot Blocks is a bouldering area near Darrington, Washington. You will not find it on Mountain Project or a paper guidebook at this time as it had an exclusive release on the app Kaya. More on that later.    Let’s talk about the main route developer of Robot Blocks; GabrielContinueContinue reading “Part III of Robot Kaya: Demographics of Route Development in Climbing”

Part II of Robot Kaya: Demographics of Route Development in Climbing

Part II of VI: Route Development Initiatives    If we look at the sheer small numbers of guidebook authors and the mechanisms to keep out women, and then even more mechanisms to keep Black women and queer people out of the sport (see my Hip Hop in Climbing article, specifically Part II), it’s unfortunately safe toContinueContinue reading “Part II of Robot Kaya: Demographics of Route Development in Climbing”

Robot Kaya: Demographics of Route Development in Climbing

“If you can’t hear what I’m tryna say… If you can’t read from the same page Maybe I’m goin’ deaf Maybe I’m goin’ blind Maybe I’m out of my mind” -Pharrell and Robin Thicke1 “I used to go out to parties And stand around ‘Cause I was too nervous… To really get down But myContinueContinue reading “Robot Kaya: Demographics of Route Development in Climbing”

The Reel Deal: Alpine Divorce or Attempted Murder

Part VI “While all the time that I was loving you You were busy loving yourself I would stop breathing if you told me to Now you’re busy loving someone else 11 years out of my life Besides the kids, I have nothing to show Wasted my years, a fool of a wife I shouldContinueContinue reading “The Reel Deal: Alpine Divorce or Attempted Murder”

Black Hair in Climbing, Continued Part VI

VI of VI    How does all of this affect us in climbing? I do recall one Black woman influencer admitting once that she preferred her hair chemically straightened. It was just her preference. Fair enough; but I would also like to add that the climbing industry itself also pushes Black people to assimilate with ourContinueContinue reading “Black Hair in Climbing, Continued Part VI”

Black Hair in Climbing, Continued Part V

V of VI    Since in the past there were no laws regarding food labeling, additives, or health claims this meant that people could not sue with the law on their side. This slowly changed and ideas such as individual lawsuits or class action lawsuits for harm by a for profit company became an option. AContinueContinue reading “Black Hair in Climbing, Continued Part V”

Black Hair in Climbing, Continued Part IV

IV of VI    The FDA was mostly focused on drugs and food, however, their power also extends to cosmetics. In line with some criticisms of the FDA, some of their guidelines could also be called into question. One example would be the consumption and use of propylene glycol.     In my natural hair care journey, IContinueContinue reading “Black Hair in Climbing, Continued Part IV”