Even though this route is rated a 5.9, it climbs more like a 5.8 so it’s what I call an ego climb. Read more
Author: Arthur
My name is Arthur Page and I live in Portland Maine. I've been climbing on and off for about 8 years. This year I've decided to up my climbing game and have been training to move past the gym and start out-door lead climbing this summer. I'm currently bouldering between V2 and V3 and climbing top rope at the gym between 5.8 and 5.9. I started this site because of how difficult it is to find climbing resources. Most videos lack production quality and getting any reliable information involves dropping hundreds on a class at a gym. To me this is counter to what I believe to principles of climbing. It is a sport centered around personal challenge, community, and sharing. I hope you feel the same way and I hope you enjoy figure8!
5.7 | Big Steppers (evo Portland)
Here is another fun warm up because it seems like lately, warm ups are the only climbs I can finish. This is a straight route with one small catch. Read more
5.8 | Outside the Cones (evo Portland)
Okay, so I have to be honest, I may have cheated a bit here. You might not see it but let me explain.
5.9 | Arthur Page (Salt Pump)
This route is yellow but it was proving to be a white whale. I had tried and failed but this time was different.
5.8 | Orange (evo Portland)
Lately I’ve been pulling out footage from the vault of unedited clips. Well here is one from the present. Read more
5.10a | Ducks (evo Portland)
The first time I got on this route, I nailed it. Fast forward a few days and you would think with some rest and a GoPro I would be aces. Not so fast Arthur.
Read more
5.9 | Foam (evo Portland)
Still working through the backlog of unedited clips and I found this route.
5.10 | ONE! (evo Portland)
Dug up another gem from the archive. This one is a 5.10 from March of 2015 at the newly minted evo ROCK + FITNESS in Portland, Maine.
iTunes Review
I think the first person to review the Podcast should get a prize.
- Go to figure8 Podcast.
- Select the ‘Reviews’ tab.
- Be nice.
5.9 | Use Power! (evo Portland)
I just started climbing with a new friend that is a few inches shorter than me.
5.8 | Not With Us (evo Portland)
Contrary to the name of the route. This route was totally for us. I’ve climbed it a few times but the great thing that I like about this route is that I almost always forget the ideal path and have to figure out the middle fresh. Read more
Hidden Gem
Got a hot tip on a new outdoor place from a friend so we decided to check it out today. This place had no name, a single bolted route rated a 5.9+ and a whole bunch of top rope-able stuff.
The only downside is that neither of us can climb beyond the first bolt on an outside 5.9 and we arrived too late to set up anchors. We ended up messing around a bit before giving up for another day.
Its twenty minutes north of Portland and a 15 minute flat walk approach. Great to know this ledge is nearby.
5.FUN | Arthur Page (43.2881, -70.2277)
You may remember two videos made some time ago on the pier at Mackworth Island. Well I decided since I missed going last summer that I would get out this year. My excitement was hit head on with disappointment. Let me tell you why.
5.6 | Arthur Page (evo Portland)
This is normally an easy warm-up route but it is a bit more work in the dark finding your feet. It was the first time I’ve been able to climb a wall in the dark. I was at Maine Rock Gym for one but was only bouldering back then. Then I was at EVO Concord for one but was working on a time-lapse for a promo video. So, this is the first real climbing in the dark. I have the auto belay to thank since my partner couldn’t make it.
Podcast: Download (106.1MB)
Auto Belay On
Recently the new Salt Pump gym opened nearby and they have auto belays. I was initially excited because lately at my regular gym picking up loose change (my code for extra climbing partners) has been hard. Read more