Grimpi Is...
The Esperanto word for "climb". This language was designed to unite people in 1887. The word "Esperanto" itself means "hoping one". These concepts speak to the heart of what we are.
We are a family-based company that grew out of our life experiences. Avid climbers for many years, we have had the honor of introducing the sport to people from all over the world. This began with friends and family in the early years, along the climbing routes of coastal California. We then took it with us to New England, where the climbing experience was vastly different.
After settling Idaho, we opened a school focusing on arts and music. We felt that bringing students from around the world to create and work together was imperative to our mission. We soon discovered that when we introduced climbing as an activity to them, we were creating instant bonds. The language of climbing, camaraderie, trust and teamwork involved in climbing brought us closer to these students and sparked an interest in curiosity in them that they took back to their home countries and introduced their own friends and family to in return.
Through the years of climbing all over the country, we realized that positive impact of climbing on humans was being met with an equally negative impact on the environment as well. Visitors to these spectacular parks were being inundated with the "graffiti" of white chalk marring these beautifully colored vistas. We realized that since climbers were responsible for this blight, it should be up to climbers to create the solution. We began working on a solution that made environmental, aesthetic and functional sense. Grimpi was born, solutions for climbers, by climbers.
As our chalks begin to grow in usage and reputation, we are hoping to demonstrate our commitment to minimal impact that may allow for greater climbing access as guardians of these areas recognize this commitment. As an extension of our commitment, we will be donating a portion of our profits to the Access Fund. A non-profit group that is dedicated to protecting and conserving public lands, climbers access and route safety.
Donald has been "grimpi" since birth-but was not bitten with the climbing bug itself until, at 23, he and his brother-in-law thought they could have some fun with a harness and truck rope. He quickly learned that this was not the proper "technique", and has been learning and passing it down for almost 25 years.
Don Hall
Grimpi Old Man
our team
Like all things in our lives, our Grimpi team is made up of our extended family of climbers
operations & development
Nick has been an avid climber his whole life. He was first strapped into a harness at the age of 18 months old. Trees, roofs, rocks, fireplaces- if it stood still long enough, he would try to climb it.
He pushed back against the constraints of ropes, and eventually transitioned into bouldering as a teen. We haven't been able to keep up with him since.
Nick Hall
Product Testing
Jean-baptiste Muckensturm
International Liaison
Jean-Baptiste "Pierre"came to us as an exchange student when he was 16yrs old. He took to climbing like he took to the family: instantly!
He brought his passion for climbing back home with him where he shared it with his father and sisters. Climbing has become more than a sport for him, it is now a part of his identity.
He was there when the colored chalk idea was born, and has been invested in it ever since.
sales & marketing
As soon as he was old enough
to join his dad and big brother, Noah was up for the adventure. He was especially fond of climbing the old stone bridges in New England. He showed very little fear of heights from an early age.
As the extrovert of the group, he made friends whenever possible and really exemplified the idea of climbing as community for his family.
Noah Hall
Marketing & Sales
Martin is the consummate lover of adventure and adrenaline. He has lived all over the country and has come to appreciate the unique nature each holds. He became a member of the Grimpi family, when, at 20, Noah introduced him to rock-climbing. He's been one of the boys ever since.
He is always on the lookout for his next adventure, hike or ascent; making friends everywhere he goes.
Martin Price
Marketing & Event Coordinator
Our Philosophy
Climbing requires a special type of camaraderie. A group of like-minded people, working together for a common goal. A sport reliant on cooperation over competition, where everyone plays an integral role. This is what appealed to us most when we first began almost 25 years ago. Since then, we have introduced students from around the world to the sport, initiated new friends into the fold and developed a great circle of people all thanks to what climbing teaches.
Our company grew out of our natural love for climbing and the community that developed through the sport. Providing conscientious products, made with climbers in mind, and with an eye to the beautiful landscape we are responsible for protecting.
That is what led us to our motto "Grimpi Co; Where Co stands for more than just Company".
Our Focus
Community: We are a family-based company, developing products and creating experiences for the family of climbers that we have been a part of for over 20 years.
Commitment: We are committed to respecting our environment by keeping public lands protected, beautiful and accessible all while furthering the ideals of climbing as community through honest products made with thought and care.
Conscience: Using pure ingredients, ethically sourced, fabricated in the US; we have developed clean products that allow climbers to experience the beauty of our natural lands safely and honorably.
We Are Proud to Acknowledge Our Partner
"Today, 1 in 5 climbing areas in the United States are threatened—whether it's private land lost to development, public land managers over-regulating climbing, or climber impacts degrading the environment, the list of threats is long and constantly evolving. At Access Fund, we are on a mission to keep climbing areas open and conserve the climbing environment, and we want you to join us.
Access Fund is a certified land trust, advocates for climbers at the local and national levels, and maintaining active Memorandums of Understanding with the National Park Service, US Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management.
Access Fund members receive special discounts and offers. 3% of our profits benefit the Access Fund