Jamey Sproull
Asana Climbing - mid July, 2009

FRB: Name?

Jamey: Jamey Sproull.

FRB: Age?

Jamey: 37.

FRB: Height/Weight?

Jamey: 5'10"/160 lbs.

FRB: Location?

Jamey: Boise, Idaho.

FRB: Ape Index?

Jamey: +1.

FRB: Business/Company?

Jamey: Asana Climbing.

FRB: Website/Blog/Facebook/Twitter?

Jamey: Asanaclimbing.com  &  asanaclimbing.blogspot.com  &
facebook:Asana Climbing  &  twitter:AsanaClimbing.

FRB: How did you get into climbing, Jamey?

Jamey: I was introduced to climbing through a buddy I met in Colorado. It was the coolest thing I had ever done.

FRB: Who were some of your early influences?

Jamey: My good friend Sus influenced me the most. He is a local Boise climber and he taught me almost everything I know about climbing.

FRB: Who knows you best?
         What would they say about you?

Jamey: My buddy Sus knows me best. He knows I try to high-step everything and that I can't campus at all.

Wrapper, Project, Sus Edmundson, Reynolds Creek, Idaho - photo by Asana Climbing

FRB: What famous climbers do you admire?

Jamey: I was highly influenced by Dave Graham and Chris Sharma when I started climbing in 2000. They were doing big things just like they are now. I am always influenced by less-publicized people I meet when out on climbing trips as well, both young and old.

FRB:  What are some of your favorite moments?

Jamey: Leading my first 5.10 and sending my first V10. The 5.10 took guts I didn't know I had and the V10 took long-term dedication I didn't know was in me.

FRB:  What kinds of climbing do you do?

Jamey: Mostly bouldering. I sport climb in the hot summers up in higher elevations to get out of the heat.

FRB: Where is the cool bouldering in Boise, Idaho?

Jamey: Table Rock is the coolest bouldering. It's a good local sandstone crag.

FRB: Please tell us about the bouldering in the
         surrounding areas around Boise.

Jamey: My favorite is Reynolds Creek about 30 miles from Boise. Mike McClure, Sus Edmundson, and I have done tons of work to establish it as a bouldering area and to get the word out about it. It has both granite and volcanic rock.

FRB: What about the sport climbing?
         Where is the great sport climbing in Boise?

Jamey: The Black Cliffs have tons of routes. It is columnar basalt. Most of the local sport and trad climbers hang out there. It is a part of Boise climbing history for sure.

FRB: What's a typical climbing day for you, Jamey.       

Jamey: Although I try to warm-up and stretch, I typically get real psyched on some line and start throwing at hard stuff too early.

FRB: How would explain your climbing style?       

Jamey: I climb like a short person, although I'm 5'10". I like to use my legs more and my arms less. No campusing here.

FRB: Do you have any favorite problems or
         ones that you thought were incredible?
         (in the Boise area)

Jamey: I love Fundamentals of Flow and a 2 year project I put up, Bone Saw.

BoneSaw V7, Jamey Sproull, Reynolds Creek, Idaho	BoneSaw V7, Jamey Sproull, Reynolds Creek, Idaho

FRB: Do you have any projects right now?

Jamey: Unfortunately, I don't. I am waiting to get inspired again.

FRB: What websites do you recommend for
         the best beta on Boise bouldering?

Jamey: boiseclimbs.com and drtopo.com. Sandy Epeldi has done a fantastic job getting all of the beta together for the areas. I put together a guide for Reynolds Creek and Sandy published it along with another bouldering area close to Boise called Swan Falls.

FRB: What about the indoor climbing?
         Tell us about the rock gyms in Boise.

Jamey: Our YMCAs are the best bet right now. Boise State has a great gym. The Front organization is building a bouldering gym right now as well. We are very psyched about this!
Map: Indoor Climbing Locations for Idaho.

FRB: What do you think about the climbing community
         in Boise?

Jamey: We are small with tons of potential. We have been waiting on a way to bring everyone together. I believe The Front Boise bouldering gym will do this.

FRB: So this is a good time for Boise climbing?

Jamey: It's great. Tons of youth and plenty of old-schoolers to show us the way.

FRB: You own/operate Asana Climbing.
         Please, tell us why/how you started Asana.

Jamey: I started Asana to make yoga bags. It had nothing to do with climbing. It wasn't until a year or so after I started the company that I started climbing, and that became the primary focus of Asana.

FRB: How did you come up with the name? (Asana)       

Jamey: Asana is the term for a yoga posture.

FRB: Asana builds custom landing systems.
         What does that mean?

Jamey: We build big padding systems that fit underneath climbing walls for people to land safely on. It is customized to the contour of the wall's edge.

Eulogy V6, Jamey Sproull, Reynolds Creek, Idaho	Pregnancy Test V5, Jamey Sproull, Reynolds Creek, Idaho

FRB: What gyms/facilities/events has Asana built
         custom landing systems, Jamey?

Jamey: Too many to name at this point. We are all over the country. We do the padding systems for the World Cup every year in Vail and for the Mammut Comp in Salt Lake City every year as well.

FRB: So if I want you guys to throw down flooring in
         my garage climbing wall, you will do it?

Jamey: No problem, we do home gyms all of the time as well.

FRB: It is not easy to survive and flourish in
         the climbing industry. How does Asana do it?

Jamey: We have found a good balance between retail sales and institutional sales (universities and commercial gyms).

FRB: I know Asana is community-minded.
         What, specifically does Asana do for the
         indoor/outdoor climbing community?

Jamey: We sponsor comps all over the country and we also support two different kids' climbing teams.

FRB: Does Asana work with or facilitate events with
         organizations like, Gunnison Peaceful Warriors
         and the Boise Climbers Alliance? Please tell us
         about these organizations and the work you do with them.

Jamey: We support these guys in any way they need. We love to help people get things done.

FRB: What advise would you give to someone who
         wanted to start a climbing-related company?

Jamey: Start small and build a great product. The industry is small enough to work into slowly.

FRB: What other products does Asana sell, Jamey?

Jamey: We sell bouldering pads, packs, chalk-related items, and slacklines. We have a full line of gym products including climbing holds. We also have some fun items like a bouldering computer game.

FRB: What can we expect from Asana in the future, Jamey?

Jamey: We are moving to become a "greener" company. All businesses have some sort of a negative impact on the environment. We are looking for ways to reduce our negative effects.

FRB: Thanks for the interview, Jamey.

Jamey: Thanks so much to FrontRangeBouldering for getting the word out about Asana Climbing. Thanks to everyone for their enduring support of our company, as well.

Jamey and Scruffy heading into Reynolds Creek, Idaho - photo by Asana Climbing

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