Congratulations to all the climbers who placed (and got bumped) at this years HP40 Triple Crown Event. First Ave Rocks was out in full force yesterday. Check out all the results @ the Triple Crown web site. Keep up the good work.

Check out our article in the October 15th issue of the Black & White. Apparently we are “Popular with rock-scaling fanatics…”

On August 1 we will be officially open. If you are interested in joining First Avenue Rocks you have until August 1st to get in before we stop waiving the startup fee. If you want to check out the gym first, swing by weekdays after 5pm and see what it’s all about. We look forward to bringing you an exciting climbing experience whether you have climbed all over the world or have never climbed at all.

The pads are down! After a long day of cutting and stuffing foam we have the pads installed.

[View with PicLens]

All of the T-nuts are in, the texture is on, and the training boards are up. We are sorting through our piles of holds now getting everything ready for those first routes on the wall. Asana is working on our padding system as I write this and things are moving forward smoothly.

Lots of finishing going on today, filling holes, texturing panels, etc. We also started putting the decking on top of the roof boulder for the top out area. Thanks to everyone who has come by to check things out, it’s motivating to see the people we are building this place for. If you haven’t been by feel free to check it out. These boulders are big in the photos but even bigger in person.

Well it’s finally happening, a climbing gym is opening in birmingham. So what’s it all about? Well, there will be a lot of things going on at first avenue rocks. Like what? Local artist expo’s, climbing video premieres, competitions, yoga… You get the idea, now, back to the business at hand. After all, we are a climbing gym first and foremost.

What will we have in the way of climbing? Four separate bouldering structures featuring plenty of varied terrain including top-out boulders. We will have an extensive training section complete with a MOON board, HIT strips, system tiles, hang boards and campus rungs. Even though first avenue rocks will primarily focus on bouldering we will also have a top rope wall. Throw in some weight and fitness equipment, a pro shop, and lounge area with free WiFi and that just about covers it.

So when are we opening? Sooner than you might think. Our projected opening is may of 2009. Trust me, we want this place open as bad as every one of you.

What can you do to help? Sign up for a membership. What do you get for signing up before the gym opens? How about some free stuff? The first 5 members will get a free limited edition barcode hoodie. The first 100 members will get the limited edition barcode t-shirt that you’ve seen around town. If you don’t make the first 100, no worries, EVERYONE who signs up before the gym opens will have their startup fee waived.