Blog
August 22nd 2022
Rock Haven Climbing Grand Opening Fest
Bouldering can instill confidence, swagger, and optimism to grow in ways you never thought possible. For some it is a grounding and calming experience with the fluidity of movement and symbiosis of mind and body working in unison to move through a route. For others, bouldering provides a platform to overcome fears, challenging the notion that humans were meant to have two feet on the ground. Others enjoy bouldering for the social aspects, gathering with old friends or making new ones within a supportive community. Whatever your reason, Rock Haven was designed for you.
April 22nd 2023
Earth Day Comp
Bouldering can instill confidence, swagger, and optimism to grow in ways you never thought possible. For some it is a grounding and calming experience with the fluidity of movement and symbiosis of mind and body working in unison to move through a route. For others, bouldering provides a platform to overcome fears, challenging the notion that humans were meant to have two feet on the ground. Others enjoy bouldering for the social aspects, gathering with old friends or making new ones within a supportive community. Whatever your reason, Rock Haven was designed for you.
August 12th 2023
How did one of the newest businesses in Gresham celebrate its one-year birthday? With a community climbing competition.
Owners of Rock Haven Climbing Gym were all smiles Saturday, Aug. 12, as they opened the building at 355 N.E. 223rd Ave. for an all-day festival.
“During events like this we see how much this community loves to climb,” said Igor Zelen, who owns Rock Haven alongside Jennifer Zelen, Bill Ryder and Travis Lovejoy. “We want this to be an annual event.”
The centerpiece was the climbing competition, which had cash prizes for top performers across different levels. There were two sessions — the first had the open and intermediate categories, while the second was recreational and advanced categories. Then in the evening the top finishers in each competed in the finals.
“Our setup was designed to have a lot of room so it doesn’t feel cramped for members,” Zelen said. “Plus we wanted it to be spectator friendly so families could come and watch their climbers.”
That space was in full use Saturday as hundreds filled the roomy gym to watch and cheer on the competitors. There was also a raffle and refreshments.
“We get a lot of beginners at the gym, so we have tours and staff around all the time to explain everything and help,” Igor Zelen said. “We also have a Bouldering 101 class that is free for members.”
Sponsors for the event included the city of Gresham, Tenaya, Flashed, USA Climbing, ZigZag Climbing, Rhino, Butora, and Good Wolf. Many of those sponsors, and other community partners, had booths set up with games, giveaways and gear.
“Thank you to our members and all the support they give us,” Zelen said.
September 9th 2023
We’re so excited to be donating to this event!
Come climb with the band Portugal. The man on September 9th! You can sign up to climbing, or just to spectate.
This event is supporting NAYA. NAYA is the Native American youth and family center and they offer services to Native American community members of all ages. Services include education, cultural enrichment, college and careers, housing, and elder services among other services. They are partnering with Rock Haven to bring NAYA families in to the gym to try bouldering! A portion of proceeds from our event will be donated to NAYA.
March 30th 2023
The Women’s Adventure Film Tour is a celebration of the inspiring women around us who are doing extraordinary things in the name of adventure. The Women’s Adventure Film Tour is an official part of WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK by the Jean Hailes Foundation in Australia. Every year, our selection of unique films is carefully chosen to show awesome women achieving their personally adventurous goals. Being adventurous doesn’t always have to mean being the fastest, going the highest, or doing the most extreme things. Adventure for most of us is stepping outside our comfort zone and climbing our own personal Everest. The films showcase real stories about women from a variety of cultures and sports around the world.
This is Australia’s original women’s adventure film tour, first launching to a sell-out crowd in Sydney in 2017. WAFT has now successfully grown globally, with screenings across Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, India and more.
The first year, the films were sourced from the Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colorado. As the tour developed, we started curating our own content, working directly with filmmakers to create the film sets. Submissions are received from around the world that showcase and celebrate all types of women in adventure. In each location, we tailor the films to suit the audience and showcase the area. If you’re interested in submitting a film, please visit our film submission page.
We aim for the festival to be enjoyed by women, children, and men of all ages.