Clinic offers lessons on ropeless rock wall climbing
Wildcats enjoying the rock wall.
October 12, 2022
Intro to Bouldering 1 Climbing Clinic will take place on Oct. 13. at the rock wall in the Recreation Center. The wall stands 50 feet at its highest point and towers over the Recreation Center.
According to Jess Dankberg, rock-climbing lead, rock climbing has many physical and mental benefits.
“It is very good with getting in touch with yourself,” Dankberg said. “It is kind of surprising what you can do. Even if you don’t think you are strong, and then you get 50 feet up and you’re like ‘Woah, I’m amazing.’”
Bouldering is when someone climbs closer to the ground without a rope, according to climbernews.com. Additionally, top rope is when a person is tied to a rope and has a belayer who helps with safety, according to climbingblogger.com. This allows them to climb higher up the wall.
Anyone can sign up to rock climb. Membership is included with the Recreation Center and available to students as part of tuition fees. Students can get different experiences when rock climbing, challenging themselves in a variety of ways.
Dankberg said people climb for sport; some climb to get stronger while others climb to get healthier. It is also a social sport where students can meet friends, according to Dankberg.
“We have people come in with their friends all the time,” Dankberg said. “We do have a rock climbing team. Clinics are a great way to come in and meet people and learn things. We also have climbing events throughout the year.”
Samuel Tibbets, rock wall climbing route setter, said he enjoys the rock wall climbing community.
“You can immediately find people to talk to and make new friends really easily,” Tibbits said. “Our climbing team is big right now and we have been doing outdoor trips on the weekends.”
The CWU Climbing Wall offers quarter-long courses for credits as well as upcoming bouldering clinics listed below.