The Uprising arrives in Incline Village Saturday, March 7

The High Altitude Fitness gym once again cements its growing reputation as a haven for climbing and outdoor adventure.

The day-long line-up on Saturday March 7 includes three events - the first College Climbing Series event in Tahoe, followed by a Local Climbing Competition and then the renown Tahoe Adventure Film Series.

Lots of excitement and action. And best of all... free.



This marks the third climbing series event at High Altitude Fitness on Northwood Boulevard in Incline Village. The first two, during the Grand Opening of the Climbing Wall were very successful and owner Jason Burd is hoping that the weather cooperates so that he can continue the success that started with the John Bachar and Lynn Hill Events.

"I'm worried about the weather a bit. With the College Climbing Series event there are a lot of people traveling into town. I guess we will wait and see, " Burd said.

It has been a period of growth at High Altitude with the interior remodeling and the opening of the climbing wall at the beginning of the year.

Burd continued, "I'm excited and exhausted at the same time. But, in the end I hope to do these events on a regular basis and create a greater sense of community."

This falls into the new philosophy of High Altitude. The buzz created by the climbing wall has been a success but has also pointed out that there is still potential for growing into a different style of gym.

"I'm trying to get away from the standard type of gym. We want people to come here to get healthy, create a sense of wellness, but not to be intimidated," said Burd.

The climbing competitions and adventure film event is the kind of day that Burd and High Altitude has been striving toward.

The College Climbing Series Event and the Local Compettion will be the same format. Participants will navigate 20 boulder routes - climbs that are attempted, because they are relatively close to the ground, without the use of ropes and 20 climbing routes - either top rope or lead climbing styles.

Points are awarded by a difficulty index for the routes and are tallied to create a score. In the college competition the top three scores from a particular team are added together to create a team score but awards are also given to the top individual climbers as well.

The Local competition will be an individual climber's score in a men's and women's division and two classifications - under 35 and over 35.

Chip Snyder, Climbing Wall Manager, is up for the all day event.

"I think that this will bring a real good mix of people. And hopefully open the door to a lot of people into the world of climbing," Snyder said.

Capping off the days' events is the Tahoe Adventure Film Festival "Best Action Sports Films of the Year" which features film highlights and specials hosted by Todd Offenbacher, adventurer, and popular TV host for the Resort Sports Network Television.

The Northern California Region College Climbing Series event starts at 10 a.m. and finishes with the awards at 2 p.m. The Local Competition will begins at 4 p.m. and will end at about 6 p.m. and the Tahoe Adventure Film Series begins at 7 p.m.

All events are free. High Altitude Fitness is located at 880 Northwood Boulevard in Incline Village. Visit www.highaltitudefit.net for information.