TRAMWAY

Favorite Bouldering Spot

I just got back from a trip that honestly feels like it’s going to stay with me forever. Tramway, tucked high above Palm Springs, California, has officially become my new favorite bouldering spot I've ever been to.

This trip was already special from the start — I was lucky enough to go with a group of super talented, strong climbers who’ve been crushing it outdoors for over a decade. Their energy, positivity, and motivation truly pushed me to try harder grades that I hadn't yet achieved outside… until this trip. I’m beyond psyched to say I sent some of those projects! Honestly, it felt like a major breakthrough, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the crew I shared it with.

I think about this a lot: how massive the world is, yet we meet the certain people who are in our lives currently. It definitely doesn’t feel like coincidence.

Another reason this trip was so meaningful was thanks to our home gym, HiClimb on Oahu. They sponsored our trip through gear support and covering the cost of crashpads, and it felt so surreal when we got that message. Their support was like this huge boost of excitement and gratitude that fueled us the entire trip.

Crashpads are thick foam pads climbers use to protect themselves when they fall bouldering outdoors. They fold up with shoulder straps so you can carry them on your back, and they’re seriously a lifesaver (in more ways than one). We had four with us, which helped not only for falls, but for carrying our food, water, layers, and even for lounging and hanging out between climbs. At many points, I had to use stacked pads as a stool to reach hold that was way too high for me.

Getting to Tramway itself was epic. We all flew in from different states, meeting up in Southern California before heading out to Palm Springs. What makes Tramway so unique is that the approach isn't a long hike like most outdoor spots, you actually take an aerial tramway lift up to over 8,000 feet in about ten minutes. Once you're up there, you get these jaw-dropping panoramic views of Palm Springs and the desert stretching endlessly below. It felt like stepping into another world.

And once you step off the lift? Boulder heaven.

I’ve never seen an area so dense with boulders of every grade, all packed close together, yet spread across the mountain. It was perfect for us because no one had to split up. Some of us would work on one climb while others would hop on a boulder literally right next to it. That kept the vibes high the whole time — lots of cheering, laughing, and celebrating sends together.