The Mountain Project

First ascent on Montana’s only 9a+!!!!

Big shout out to TMP team member and route setter Cy McIntosh for recently completing the first ascent of Montana’s first (and only) 9a+, Fox-like Creature at Natural Bridge. Cy worked on the route all winter and finally sent it just before he left for a trip to Ceuse, France, to climb. Congrats, Cy! 💪

NEW CLIMBING COACH: Chelsea Rude

Chelsea has spent nearly 30 years climbing and over 20 years coaching, bringing a rare combination of elite experience and genuine care for the whole athlete. She is deeply committed to making high-quality climbing coaching accessible to everyone and in helping climbers build strength, skill and trust in themselves.

To better introduce Chelsea to the TMP community she’s offering 30-minute coaching sessions for $30 at the gym all June long.

These are a great opportunity to:
-Get quick, actionable feedback
-Identify movement habits holding you back
-Improve technique and efficiency
-Ask questions about training, projecting, mindset, or tactics
-Experience what personalized coaching is like

Perfect for climbers who want:
-Better movement confidence
-Stronger projecting tactics
-Efficient technique
-More intentional training
-Support breaking through plateaus

Intro Session Special
30 minutes — $30 FOR THE WHOLE MONTH OF JUNE!

Chelsea is now available for private and small group coaching at the gym. You can learn more about her at .

Want to have a successful archery and/or rifle hunting season? Then prepare your body for the rigors of backcountry hunting this fall - long days in the mountains with a pack on your back, and being ready to shoot with a moment’s notice when in a fatigued state.

Join Eli for our 8-week Hunt Conditioning class. No gear will compensate for a lack of fitness or mental strength. By training your body and mind in the weeks leading up to the season opener, you’ll have the confidence and preparedness to deliver in the split-second when it matters most.
-Eli’s 8-Week program includes 16 unique workouts that:
-Focus on building strength and aerobic conditioning specific to backcountry hunters
-Include injury prevention, balance/stability, and full core strength
-Bring your bow and arrows! Target shooting during workouts, while under stress, and with a high heart rate.

The series meets twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, starting July 8th. The cost is $300. Current gym members with a monthly or annual membership contact us to receive 10% off the series or to pause your membership.
Link in bio or online!

Athlete Spotlight! 😎🎉

TMP athlete, Mike Schaub, recently competed in and completed Cocadona 250. We asked him to tell us a little about this crazy feat.

From Mike:
”Cocodona 250, is a journey beyond running. It will take you places you never knew existed much less, thought you would find yourself. Having a top notch crew/pacers is paramount and I had the absolute best!!! Without them I would have been lost. It really takes a village to get something like this done. Gratitude was my mantra for the race, to be happy for the little things/wins, vibes and well wishes near and far.

When I first asked Mike at TMP what he would recommend in training for Cocodona? His response was: “You’re doing that?! Train your gut.” And so I did, eating real food and mixing in race fuel on any training run over an hour. I also had my sweat tested and found I have been under on sodium for years. Which I feel has contributed to a lot of nausea in most of my races over 100k. The rest of my training was running and power hiking.

It was a journey in the making over years of consistent training, especially strength training!! In a 200, I knew durability and the ability to climb the 38,000ft comes down to strength, not how fast I can run a mile. Consistency is and always will be King. I am not a high volume runner, strength 2 days a week at TMP, run 4, rest 1. Peak miles probably in the 60-70’s, 12-15hrs on feet. Stacking bricks; if I have an hour great, if not, 30 minutes is totally fine. Life happens, and a small brick is better than no brick--I was still building. I embrace and love the training process. It gives me the chance at figuring out the puzzles that are long races.”

Huge congrats to Mike, and thank you for sharing your experience with us! 🎉💪

Trail Time in June = Conservation $$$ Raised

It’s time to log the miles you’re putting in by foot or bike around our community. We’re proud sponsors of the 11th Annual Summer Trails Challenge from Gallatin Valley Land Trust. Every mile you walk, run, or bike AND log from June 1st through 30th, unlocks $1 in community donated funds to support our local trails.

How it works:
1. Spend time outside running, walking, hiking, or biking anywhere in our community or mountains.
2. Head to GVLT.org and log your miles to our TMP Team.
3. Every trail mile logged equals a conservation $ unlocked
4. Help us win the Golden Shoe for most miles logged! (We can’t let Spire or BRC beat us, can we? 😘)

You can log your miles daily, weekly, or all at once. It’s an honor system so just have fun and remember to log your miles. We’ll remind you plenty too! The Golden Shoe is going to look so good back at the gym.

As part of our Give Big Fundraiser for , we are having an Open Climb Night on the bouldering side from 5:30-8pm! All proceeds from climbing and the 5:30pm class will go to the IOP. Snacks and drinks will be provided by the IOP. Grab a couple friends and come climb for a good cause!

Sign up on Punchpass. Please bring your own climbing shoes. :)

The Ladies 6-week Strength & Conditioning class is back, starting next Monday, May 18th, at 6:45pm!

Led by registered dietitian and TMP coach Rachel Nawrocki, the class is designed to build strength and confidence within the gym setting, learn practical nutrition for your lifestyle and activity, and work out with a really fun group!

If you’re interested in joining, sign up via Punchpass on our website or the link below (also in our story)! The cost is $297 for 6 weeks, 2 workouts per week (with the exception of Memorial Day).

https://tmp.punchpass.com/series/48707