Hi! I’m Amanda Barlaug!
I’m a 5’1” lover of pinches and heel hooks, shameless chuffer, fair-weather climber with relentlessly sweaty hands, and a die-hard Squamish granite boulderer who dreams of climbing more than five consecutive moves without getting pumped.
My partner Sam introduced me to the sport in 2013. There was no climbing gym in Prince George at the time, so we settled for the undersides of playgrounds and overhung trees with natural pockets.
I cut my teeth on plastic when OverHang opened in 2013. I did my first “v3”, found a love of pinches, tore something in my forearm, and figured I was ready for the be-all-end-all of climbing: the outdoors.
I returned from my first trip to Squamish bitter and send-less. I was convinced that I would remain a gym climber for the rest of my climbing life. Something I had been convinced was less than desirable. I was dragged on several more outings to the cold and mosquito-ridden outdoors before Squamish inevitably worked its way into my heart.
My nights are now filled with thoughts of ripples, divots, and vague indents; all the things that make the granite special. I’ve graduated from socks and slippers, to shoes with holes so large my big toe gets flappers, to Instincts that are more super glue than rubber.
I am excited to continue to grow as a human and a climber and am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Flashed team!
Stories from the blog
Climbing Chalk: The Evolution of Climbing’s Essential Tool
Introduction
Climbing, in all its forms, is a pursuit that combines physical strength, mental fortitude, and a touch of daring. As climbers ascend towering cliffs and navigate intricate bo...read more