Rocking and Rolling was the atmosphere during the 2011 Climb Up: 24 hours of Gunnison Glory (24GG), where more than 4500 climbers and music fans headed in and out of Hartman Rocks Recreation Area throughout the weekend of May 28. The purpose of the event was to celebrate rock climbing for 24 hours straight, by hanging out with friends, listening to music, or climbing the whole time. There were four live bands, a BBQ all evening and night, yoga sessions, travelers from the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts, and even a wedding. There were also no injuries during the 24GG.

Among the celebration of rock climbing and the outdoor world in general, six individuals really dug deep and climbed the full 24 hours. Four different teams of two, two local and two from out of town, brought the necessary elements to survive through this event. Among thems was the overall hard man Rob Pizem, who combined hard climbing, mental toughness and endurance strength to put down 80 routes within this 24 hour time span.

Chris Stoerhmann, competitor from Virginia, remembers being “frozen at 4 a.m. on a beginner slab in a down jacket and khaki pants, begging for the sun to come up and warm us while everything is so quiet and still, feeling like we were the only ones out there ‘crazy’ enough to climb

“I tied into the sharp end and started up a 40-foot 5.7 crystalized dyke with two bolts, literally shivering up the entire route not able to feel my hands, feet or mind. I remember saying to myself ‘Just keep moving!’ as I climbed up a stairway of perfect crystals that glittered in the moonlight and as I look back on it now I realize it was probably one of the coolest climbs we did that day.”