USA Climbing Youth Series Gateway Boulder Bash 2023
Gateway Boulder Bash 2023 Highlight Reel
On November 11th I had the chance to photograph the youth Gateway Boulder Bash 2023 climbing competition at Upper Limits Chesterfield. It was an honor to capture these athletes in their element.
Gateway Boulder Bash is a USA Climbing Youth Series regional competition. St. Louis is located in Region 52, which includes, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Southern Illinois, and Northern Mississippi. Climbing teams from all of these states made the journey to Upper Limits Chesterfield to compete.
Each climber had 3 hours to complete 6 boulder problems in whatever order they chose. The boulder problems were not graded, as it’s a competition, but from eyeballing the routes, and the amount of “sends” (climbers getting to the top without falling), it seemed to be a wide range from V2/3 to likely V10. The climbers could make as many attempts on each problem as necessary scoring points for Zones (midway points reached) and Tops (completing the route).
The competition had two halves, the youth and teen boys climbed first, then the youth and teen girls. It was interesting to see which bouldering routes proved to be the most difficult for each group. Every group seemed to have 4 easy to moderate routes and 2 difficult ones. Credit to the route setters for creating such a balanced competition.
Upper Limits route setters Joel Hanewinkel and Spencer Schmick (center) watch as climbers compete in Gateway Boulder Bash 2023.
For the teens boys, the most difficult route was a technical slab boulder problem with nasty slopers. As the clock wound down on the 3 hour time limit, no one had completed the route. Then with seconds to spare Hunter Hering pulled through the crux and send the route as the entire climbing gym erupted in applause. It was a moment pulled straight from an IFSC world championship.
For the teens girls, it was a sit-start boulder with an early dynamic move to a hueco that defined most of the climbers. If they could make the first big move the remainder of the problem was pretty straight forward, but it was a big first move.
Special shout out to to youth girl climber Zyla Kinser for spending 25+ minutes on the wall on a single route. Zyla would hit a high point, then drop back down to a rest spot, then try again. Word started to spread around the gym of her epic endurance feat. It was truly impressive to witness.
Zyla Kinser spending 25+ minutes on this purple bouldering problem.
It was truly a joy and honor being able to photography these young climbers. Being a photographer for climbing competitions is a dream, and I’m thankful for Jake Hale and the staff at Upper Limits for allowing me access to this great event!