Chris Bloch
Chris Bloch started climbing in 1985, and began competing on the national and international level in 1994, the same year he began route-setting. He has either organized, set routes, or competed in over 200 climbing competitions, and coached a number of notable athletes including Chris Sharma and Ethan Pringle. He competed in Speed Climbing at the ESPN X-Games each year from 1996 to 2001 earning 4 silver medals and 2 bronze medals, making him the most decorated climber in X-Games history. He also was the number one ranked speed climber in the USA, winning six Nationals from 1996 to 1998, was the National Speed Climbing Champion in
1995, ’96, and ’97, and was the North American Speed Climbing Champion in 1996. In difficulty, he was a consistent top-20 finisher in national events, placing 4th in the ABS Bouldering Nationals in 2003, and competed on the World Cup circuit in 1997, managing to place 27 the at the bouldering world cup in Sheffield, England. He was the Head Routesetter for the Subaru Gorge Games from 2000- 2003, and was the Head Routesetter for the ESPN X-Games in 2002. He also served as Bridges Rock Gym’s head setter for five years. Chris has on-sighted V9 and redpointed multiple V10s. He has also onsighted 5.12d, redpointed 5.13 sport routes and has done a few 5.11 trad routes. Chris is excited to share his knowledge and experience with everyone, teach some fun clinics, and help make the routsetting at Blue Granite innovative and fun.