The Boulder Field Is Offering A Climbing Community For All

The Boulder Field is a fitness and climbing community based in Sacramento. It offers climbers, aspiring climbers and other fitness-oriented members a clean, safe and comfortable environment with challenging and fun climbing walls, as well as other exciting fitness opportunities.

With more than 15 years of experience in the climbing industry, Carlo Traversi, professional rock climber and president of The Boulder Field, designed, built and currently operates the facility, allowing a community and culture for climbers and fitness-oriented non-climbers. Read on to learn more about Traversi and all the upcoming events The Boulder Field is offering:

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town or how long has the organization you represent been around in the community?

Traversi: We started the design phase of The Boulder Field in early 2017, and that followed nearly a year of looking for the right space. We opened in the spring of this year. As you can imagine with any design and development project, it feels like we’ve been in business most of our lives, but in reality we’ve just been open a few short months.

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?

Traversi: I started rock climbing 16 years ago, when I was 14. Many of my formative years were spent climbing in a small local gym in Sonoma County. Although very small, the gym featured two elements that made a strong impression on me. First, the routes (different paths from the bottom to the top of the wall) were well set, which means, regardless of the level, they were intellectually and physically challenging and engaging. They kept me coming back for more. Second, there was a strong community among the members, with a spirit of support, respect and friendship.

With those formative years behind me, I moved to Boulder, Colorado, and began a career as a professional rock climber. In my career, which has included national championships, international competition, hundreds, maybe thousands, of outdoor bouldering and rope climbing ascents, and visits to hundreds of climbing gyms, I’ve also worked in and consulted to dozens of gyms. Over time, I designed a wish list of the ideal bouldering gym.

In a general sense, it would serve as a community gathering place for climbers and fitness oriented non-climbers. That means it would need an open format allowing a flow of movement and plenty of space for interacting. It would have hundreds of climbing routes — set by the best setters in the industry — that would change frequently. It would have complete cardio, strength and specialized climbing training areas. It would offer yoga, which is a perfect complement to climbing and other fitness regimens. It would have a café offering locally-roasted coffee, locally-brewed beers and kombucha. It would be clean, it would be staffed by bright, engaging climbers and fitness fans, it would have a strong retail presence, and it would have a culture of respect, support and collaboration.

We’re proud to say, that’s what we’ve accomplished with The Boulder Field. Climbers and non-climbers alike are loving what we've built.

Patch: If you had to sum up your business mission to a stranger in five words, what would those words be?

Traversi: Climbing, fitness, community for all.

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced in your job?

Traversi: In my climbing career, some of my greatest challenges have been life or death situations. The Boulder Field hasn’t involved that, but it has presented all the challenges that confront all developers of physical assets and businesses. The specific challenge facing any climbing gym developer is finding the appropriate space and then getting it approved.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

Traversi: Climbing has brought such joy and contentment to my life. Designing, building and operating a facility that brings fun, fitness, community and a sense of accomplishment to so many people is very satisfying to me.

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?

Traversi: Well, we have the utmost respect for our colleagues in any sector of the climbing and fitness business. Each has their own style and strategy for addressing consumers’ needs and wants. We’ll leave it to consumers to distinguish, but we hope they’ll find us to be a cleaner, more useable, more enjoyable and more supportive environment than they can find elsewhere.

Patch: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given when it comes to success?

Traversi: Persistence always leads to success. Perhaps not the way you visualized it in advance, but success always follows persistence.

Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you’re working on that you’re extra excited about?

Traversi: We are actively exploring other sites in the western U.S. for additional gyms. But with respect to our flagship in Sacramento, we are very focused on doing everything we can to enhance the member experience. This means building out our offering of classes and programs, maintaining our special events for members and guests and building a world-class youth climbing team.

Patch: Do you have any events coming up in your community?

Traversi: On August 18, we participated with North Face in holding a Global Climbing Day, along with more than 120 other gyms in the nation. We offered free climbing for all, a fun "Dyno" competition, a live DJ, and a local food truck on site. We had more than 400 people come through the door, and we were ecstatic about the turn out. We are looking to continue to host more community events on a regular basis.

On September 7, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., we have our Back to School Night, with $10 day passes for students with IDs, and more music and food.

In October, we have our first Gathering, again with local food and music, but with our first open competition. Check our website for the exact date and time. Each month going forward, we’ll be hosting some type of event that builds and celebrates the strong community of The Boulder Field.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your work and business?

Traversi: Check out our website. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Address: 8425 Belvedere Ave., Suite 100, Sacramento CA 95826

Phone Number: (916) 329-8994

This Patch article is sponsored by The Boulder Field.

Image Credit: The Boulder Field