Purpose

Appalachia is a gift that keeps on giving. Every mountain, backroad, ridge, holler, creek, knob and forest has a charm all its own. Between the topography and along the creeks are towns and communities, each with a story to tell. At local grade we believe in the power of these landscapes and the people who love them.  

The crags and boulders of Appalachia have always been sacred spaces.  These raw pieces of earth and stone were first experienced by indigenous peoples.  The sport of bouldering has formalized something that humans had been doing for thousands of years. A long history of human interaction culminates in the unique ethos of every individual bouldering zone. These spaces are our ‘querencia,’ our home base where we feel the most connected. As climbers, we believe that grading systems ought to be used by climbers to define rock climbs, not by climbers to define people. That being said, we don’t shy away from a good old fashioned sandbag!

The name “Local Grade” refers to the unmistakable character of bouldering spaces in Appalachia.  Experiences of this region, its community, geology, flora and fauna, leave us with an itch that can’t be scratched elsewhere.  Our aim is to offer useful, genuine products as unique and special as the places we love.  Thank you for participating in our narrative as it develops!