Welcome to The Foundry Blog....

Opening its doors back in 1991, The Foundry has been at the heart of the Sheffield and UK climbing scenes ever since. Almost two decades on, the centre continues to provide a world class environment for climbers, whether you're new to the sport or about to tick your first Font 8b!

The blog will keep you up to date with the activity and achievements that are going on in and around The Foundry.

Hope to see you soon! - Neil Bentley (Centre Manager)

Thursday 30 July 2009

NEW DMM Torque Nuts have arrived!

For years we have refused to stock 'sets' of hexes because the pack always included a number of smaller sizes that overlapped with conventional nuts. We found most customers only wanted hexes that were bigger than the wired nuts, so although we stocked all sizes we felt the sets encouraged beginners to buy gear they were unlikely to want or need in the long term.

DMM are the first manufacturer to have thought this through so we are happy to finally be able to break our own rule. We now stock the superb new DMM Torque nuts, very light, very colourful very effective and with an extendible sling. They suit from a thin hand to a standard fist crack - available loose or as a complete set of 4.

Pull Up Challenge Prizewinners



Rich Ames managed an impressive 38 pullups and Diane Merrick still had enough "pull" in her arms after coming third in the British Bouldering Championships to manage 27. Both of them will receive the prize of a Beastmaker 2000.

Check your mail! The three "lucky dip" winners each of which win a £10 CragX voucher have been notified by email.

Tuesday 28 July 2009

Five Ten V10 replacement


It looks as though 5.10 have finally brought out a direct replacement of the much-loved V10 slipper. The new shoe is being called the 5.10 Team and it pretty much like a V10 with an single velcro strap added.

You might be thinking this isn't news - pictures of it have been around on the forums for a while now but I've learnt not to judge a rock shoe until I've had it on my foot. A shoe that looks great in a picture can turn out to be terrible. Luckily, I had the chance to try them on at the Outdoor Show in Friedrichshafen.

So, what can I tell you, having tried it on a couple of times? The Team does seem to be built on the same last shape as the V10 and Dragon which will please a lot of people. It felt pretty good to me pulling it on for the first time. I'd guess it might be a little softer out of the box than the V10 but I could be wrong – I haven't worn any V10s for quite a while now. It has the new Mystique rubber that is on the Project but in a sensible thickness and with the usual horseshoe midsole so it isn't as crazily soft as the Project. The velcro strap should work well but does mean that this is not going to be priced like slippers of old – expect to pay top wack for this one. Lastly, the tow rubber is proper rubber, not stealth paint like the Jet7 but it does give a bit and is a sensible thickness so I doubt anyone will feel the need to take a razor to it.

There are lots of things that we won't know until these have got to the shops and on peoples feet in the real world (like how much they might stretch) but so far the Team seems to be the first real V10 replacement.

Five Ten are making a limited production run of these for this Autumn so we should get some in around September or October. They will be widely available in the UK in Spring 10.

Tuesday 14 July 2009

Cliffhanger 2009

This was the third year CragX has been at Cliffhanger and thanks to the weather staying dry was the best attended yet. The DMM pull tester broke lots of karabiners, in a bid to demonstrate just how strong climbing gear actually is.

The new "Improved" pull up challenge using a Beastmaker 1000 certainly added interest to the competition. Winners will be notified by email once we have managed to enter you all onto the computer.

Summer Facelift



As usual we are taking advantage of the quiet summer days to give the Foundry a fresh coat of paint. Lovingly chosen by Jerry Moffatt himself, the front stairwell now boasts a new colour scheme.

Thursday 9 July 2009

Foundry Academy Hits Headlines...

Foundry Academy gets national recognition for its fund raising event last weekend in the Telegraph Newspaper.

Wednesday 8 July 2009

CragX Stocks Up On SALE Goodies...

The CragX stock rooms are full of SALE items to sell at cliffhanger this weekend!
CragX will be having a massive sale at Cliffhanger this year, here are a few of the deals to wet appetite for new kit!!!.....
AT LEAST 30% OFF MAMMUT ROPES


BLACK DIAMOND IMPACT PADS ONLY £65


CHEAP CHEAP HARDWARE DEALS


AND MANY MORE ON THE DAY....

Thursday 2 July 2009

Pulling power


Alongside the CragX stand at Cliffhanger this year will be the world famous CragX Pull-Up Challenge.

Do you have the power to pull against the best in the UK?

This year we have teamed up with Beastmaker to bring you an improved pull-up bar. Can you guess what it is?