Cesar Augusto Melendez Castillo

martes, 11 de junio de 2013

3 New routes at Gunko

3 new routes at Gunko

(left to right) Christian standing at the bottom of new route ¨Extasis¨ 5.11a/b followed by Denis next to ¨Vertical Garden¨ 5.10a. Route at the far right is named ¨Orquidea¨ 5.10b and it is a top rope-only route.

An addition of two beautiful new sport routes and one top rope line have been bolted today at Gunko. Lot of cleaning and at the end routes turned out to be fantastic new lines. Gunko is now an area with 15 equipped routes and 1 Bouldering traverse.

This area still offers possibilities of new routes on the right side. In near future we will continue to open new routes and unleash its full potential.

Everybody is very welcome to try climbing at Gunko and of course, it´s new routes too!

List of new routes (left to right):

"Extasis" 5.11a/b
"Vertical Garden" 5.10a
"Orquidea" 5.10b

More information about routes and/or guided tours in Boquete:

http://panamarockclimbing.blogspot.com/

lunes, 10 de junio de 2013

Panama Rock Climbing Documentary on the internet

Panama Rock Climbing Mini Documentary on the internet

Mad Rock is proud to support Cesar as he continues to develop amazing climbing areas in Boquete, a beautiful city in a country still just beginning to embrace the sport. His passion is similar to those who pioneered climbing in the 70′s, using only what they have, and reveling in the freedom of sometimes climbing without a rope. - Mad Rock California

So pure. That is what it's all about. Major props and a huge thanks to a dude doing some developing. - DPM climbing

Cesar has developed DWS routes in an area called Cangilones, established multi-pitches in Boquete, and sports routes in a number of places. - Vertigo Industries

This mini doc/promotional video chronicles the life of the first Panamanian rock climber, Cesar Augusto Melendez Castillo, as well as the history of rock climbing in a country that had never heard of it until he pioneered it. - The Chalk Pot

Other references:

www.crimpvids.com - http://www.crimpvids.com/?p=4564

www.8a.nu - http://www.8a.nu/

www.seznam.name - http://www.seznam.name/video/?type=vimeo&watch=66244109&title=Panama+Rock+Climbing-Featuring+Cesar+Augusto+Melendez+Castillo-Boquete+Panama&search=pitch

www.frequency.com - http://www.frequency.com/video/panama-rock-climbing-featuring-first/96041315

viernes, 24 de mayo de 2013

La Prensa Chiriqui - 23 Mayo 2013 - Año 32 10654

La Prensa Chiriqui

23 Mayo 2013 - Año 32 No. 10654

Pagina frontal

Articulo completo

viernes, 17 de mayo de 2013

Panama Rock climbing video by Mad Rock Team

Panama Rock climbing video

Mad Rock Team

Watch the video here

http://madrockblog.com/2013/05/17/panama-climbing-video/

jueves, 16 de mayo de 2013

Mini documentary PANAMA ROCK CLIMBING by Ba-goose Productions

Mini documentary PANAMA ROCK CLIMBING -

Cesar Augusto Melendez Castillo

by Ba-goose Productions

This mini doc/promotional video chronicles the life of the first Panamanian rock climber, Cesar Augusto Melendez Castillo, as well as the history of rock climbing in a country that had never heard of it until he pioneered it.

lunes, 13 de mayo de 2013

Publicacion Proyeccion Social

Publicacion Proyeccion Social

(Abril / Mayo 2013 - Distribucion limitada)
Por Ronald Acosta

Click to enlarge

martes, 7 de mayo de 2013

New grade for ¨El Mutante¨ water solo problem

Water soloing the new

¨EL MUTANTE¨
V8 or V9?

El Mutante (water solo boulder problem at Los Cangilones de Gualaca) recently changed from grade v7 to grade v8 or even v9 due to an important hold missing.

A rock used at the crux of the climb just broke making the whole sequence significantly more difficult. Here is a video of the first ascend of the new route using some new dynamic movements. In previous publications of this blog it is possible to watch some videos climbing the same route while using its original sequences.

Personally, I prefer the new sequence. Hope more climbers give it a try and give their opinion about the grade. Enjoy one of the Panama´s classic water solo problem ¨El Mutante¨

miércoles, 1 de mayo de 2013

Conference about Extreme Tourism at Universidad del Istmo (UDI)

Conference about Extreme Tourism at

Universidad del Istmo (UDI)

Showing some of the tools and gear used for the practice of rock climbing

Open dialogue with students from Tourism Faculty of Universidad del Istmo (UDI)

martes, 30 de abril de 2013

10 years of Rock Climbing in Panama

Celebrating 10 years of Rock Climbing in Panama

Gary Henning, (Canadian Rock Climber) arrived to Panama, Central America in 2003. After extensive traveling in the country he visited a town known as Boquete (a small town located West of Panama city) where he shared his passion and love for rock climbing with a group of local guys. Together they develop the first existing sport routes in history of Panama. A year later climbing was born in Panama.
Today, climbing continues its evolution in hands of both, old and new generations of climbers who share the same love, passion and respect for the mountains as a decade ago.

Read full story here

Gary Burton Henning, Canadian rock climber & mountaineer who arrived to Panama in 2003, formally introduced the sport of rock climbing to Panama, Central America in May 2004

Cesar Augusto Melendez Castillo, the first Panamanian rock climber, founder of Boquete Climbing club and Panama Rock Climbing Tours

Christian Schrieffer, pioneer of the sport of rock climbing in Panama working on putting some of the first routes at Gunko (Gunko: first climbing rock wall developed for climbing in Boquete, Chiriqui Province)

Marcos Gonzalez, pioneer of the sport of rock climbing in Panama working on the ascend of the first existent routes in Panama.

Gary Henning working on the first sport routes at El Panal crag and teaching some climbing techniques

(Left to right) Christian Schrieffer, Cesar Augusto Melendez Castillo and Marcos Gonzalez.

THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR GREAT SUPPORT!

Find more about history of rock climbing in Panama here

martes, 16 de abril de 2013

Rock climbing in Panama - Film by Alex Lindbloom

Rock climbing in Panama

A film by Bagus Land & Sea Productions / Alex Lindbloom

Rock climbing in Panama / A film by Bagus Land & Sea Productions follows first Panamanian rock climber Cesar Augusto Melendez Castillo in search of climbing the most difficult and amazing rock formation of Panama, Central America.

Coming soon

martes, 9 de abril de 2013

Panama Rocks: Gear 4 kids

Panama Rocks: Gear 4 kids

Sponsors:

Climbing Centre Neoliet Tilburg, Netherlands

Mad Rock Climbing California

MIDES

Keeper Energy Drink

Video courtesy of

Alex Xavier Valdés

Subtitles:

0:11 - My name is Cesar Melendez, I am professional rock climber. Today we are doing an activity with kids from Orphanage Hogar Trisker so they can have the opportunity to try a new different activity such rock climbing.

0:35 - Kids from Orphanage houses such Trisker and other similar centers along the country need from our support and help. It is our responsibility as society and individuals to provide help to kids, and not only in Panama but also all over the world.

1:01 - We are doing this activity thanks to the support of climbers from Holland (Climbing Centre Neoliet Tilburg, Netherlands) who kindly donated a lot of climbing gear for kids such harnesses, shoes and more allowing us to introduce these kids for the first time into the activity and share a happy beautiful morning with them.

1:33 - It is important to mention the incredible help of local and foreigners volunteers who have donated their time and help to this cause. My staff at Panama Rocks Climbing is also present and all together will contribute in different ways to make this possible for the kids.

2:08 - We also would like to thank Ministry of Social Development (MIDES) and Lic. Frago from Trisker Orphanage House who made possible to bring the kids today. We hope this will be the first event of many other coming activities we all together want to do for other kids of Panama.

2:39 - Once again, thanks. My name is Cesar Melendez. We hope to continue doing this type of events with the support of so many wonderful people and continue to help our future generations.

3:02 - This is Panama Rocks: gear 4 kids. Let´s support our kids!!

domingo, 7 de abril de 2013

Icarus 5.13 teaser - kkm.tv

Icarus 5.13a Teaser

by KKM.TV Production

domingo, 24 de marzo de 2013

Icarus Footage by KKM.tv

Icarus Footage

Some screenshots from Panamanian climber Cesar Melendez attempting the first ascend of the hardest route in Panama, 'Icarus'

Photos: Karl Nesseler / KKM.tv

miércoles, 20 de marzo de 2013

Focus Panama Magazine

Focus Panama Magazine

Article ¨Escalando las paredes volcanicas de Boquete¨ - Page 87

Article Page 87

Focus Panama Magazine Cover 2013

martes, 12 de marzo de 2013

Panamanian climbers working on new extension of the route "Icarus" 5.13a

Panamanian climbers working on new extension of route

"Icarus" 5.13a

Photos: Christian Schrifer

The new fully operational zip line cable over the Caldera River allowing easy access to the trail where Icarus route is located

Working one of the hardest sections of the route at Pitch 2. Extension of Icarus route.

Exit move at the overhang section of the climb. Pitch 2.

Extended route of Icarus will complement the hardest route known in Panama today. Icarus 5.13a

lunes, 4 de marzo de 2013

Inside Panama Real Estate Video advertisement

Inside Panama Real Estate
Video advertisement with Panamanian Rock climber
By Silvia Epure & Oliver Wolfe

sábado, 2 de marzo de 2013

New Mad Rock's Sharks 2.0 climbing shoes

New 2013 Mad Rock's technology
Sharks 2.0 climbing shoes

Recently just got a new pair of 2013 Sharks 2.0 climbing shoes from my sponsor Brand Mad Rock in California and I must say this is one of the most incredible climbing shoes I have ever climbed with. The Arch Flex technology provides an aggressive yet comfortable fit giving an unparalleled level of performance.

The shoes are built around the original Shark last but Mad Rock provided lots of new exciting features on the model. Some of the new features found are the utilization of 1.8 mm R2 rand rubber and the Arch Flex system. The elastic property in Mad Rock R2 formula hugs and locks foot in to place without the pain associated with other high performance shoes.

The heel is also redesigned with an external band which provides of a great grip for heel hook positions. I am very happy with the new technology and definitely amazed by the precision and feel I find when using the sharks 2.0 on difficult climbing projects!

I highly recommend Mad Rock Sharks 2.0 to any climber in search of improving his/her performance without sacrificing comfort.

Mad Rock Sharks 2.0 as well as other fantastic new innovative products are available at madrock climbing.com

Cesar Augusto Melendez

Professional Rock Climber

miércoles, 27 de febrero de 2013

Panama Rocks: Gear 4 Kids - Part II

Panama Rocks: Gear 4 Kids - Part II

Photos by Alex Xavier Valdés

In collaboration with MIDES (Ministerio de Desarrollo Social), Trisker Orphanage House, Panama Rock Climbing and Climbing Center Neoliet Tilburg, in the Netherlands today we could bring 35 amazing kids from Trisker Orphanage House and have an special day of rock climbing! PANAMA ROCKS GEAR 4 KIDS is now a reality!
Our deepest gratitude to Manon Stemkens, generous people from Holland, volunteers, Habla Ya teachers and all the wonderful people who kindly supported us in this beautiful activity.