KULTURE
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2005 8A
FOR DEAR LIFE
By Ryan Schneider kansan correspondent
Photos by Rylan Howe
Climbing club creates fun, challenges
Tucked away in northwest Lawrence rests a garage unlike any other. The cars, toolboxes and trash bags are nowhere to be found. Instead they've been replaced with plywood suspended from the ceiling and walls, and mats covering the gray concrete floor.
This garage belongs to three members of the KU Rock Climbing Club. The project started off as a combination of small walls that other members of the rock climbing club had created for themselves. But as members graduated and left Lawrence, the smaller walls were soon combined into what has become known as the "climbing duplex."
"If you're out climbing, you might move holds around just to make things more challenging and different," said Brent Stephens, Edgerton graduate student.
After nearly a year of construction at a cost of nearly $1,000,the wall presents a challenging climb with walls suspended over the dark colored mats and pieces of plywood protruding from the walls of the garage at various angles.
Despite his lack of experience, the challenge of learning how to climb didn't scare away Ben Reader. After peering over the railing of the Student Fitness Recreation Center several times at the climbers, the Wichita freshman decided to take a chance and join the club. Reader was one of 20 new members who have joined since the beginning of the fall semester.
beginning or die in some way.
"I was hesitant at first," Reader said. "But the older guys set up climbs us beginners can do."
The large and small climbing walls at the recreation center challenge both new and experienced climbers. Hundreds of strips of colored tape line the walls, marking routes of varying degrees of difficulty and length. Completing an entire route can be a tough task for even the most experienced climbers. In the beginning new members are often frustrated when they fall off the wall, said Ashton Martin, El Dorado sophomore said, but if they're not falling, then they know aren't trying.
During a normal climbing session half of the time is spent warming up on the smaller wall. The remaining time is spent on the larger, more challenging
Dean Potter, El Dorado sophomore, secures his hold while navigating one of the rock climbing courses. The KU Rock Climbing Club started in 1992 at Robinson Center and the climbing surface changed from a plywood course to a material made to look like a real rock wall." It definitely looks better now, but it was easier to make courses on the plywood" Potter said.
large wall, orange, blue, red and yellow holds mark various routes to the top. The size and shape of those holds vary as the route progresses upward.
Designated route setters within the group design and change the routes several times a month to help better prepare other members for the challenges that await them when climbing outside.
While members are focused on their climbing, the workouts have a relaxed, social atmosphere. One moment, the group is gathered around encouraging a fellow member as he attempts his hardest route of the day, while moments later members are spouting off their favorite "Anchorman" quotes.
Climbers do little weightlifting to prepare for climbs. The weightlifting, Martin said, limited flexibility and the ability to reach across the body. Instead, club members think of climbing as their own workouts, adjusting the routes to concentrate on upper or lower body strength and control.
Though the members climb together several days a week, the group has little competition within it. Instead, encouragement and advice, called "beta," has replaced the competitive spirit.
"The guys are all supportive and offer suggestions," said Hope Fry, Lancaster, Pa., graduate student.
Arkhamman quote. "Your mind isn't focused solely on the workout, just on having fun." Brady Karlin, Houston freshman, said.
dent. Numerous trips throughout the year allow club members to put the lessons they have learned from each other into practice. Previous trips have included stops in Arkansas, Arizona, Illinois and
of climbing near Tucson. dark clouds began rolling into the area, bringing over two inches of rain and flash flood conditions. The rain washed into their desert camp-site and prompted the campers to head for higher ground for the evening.
"It was crazy, everything had water in it," Martin said. "Luckily we had a place in Tucson we could go stay."
The trips not only promote improving climbing skills but also bonding and friendship.
"I think with every trip we get closer. It's all you could want from a group and our leaders," Reader said.
Nowhere is the bonding and friendship more evident than at the Tuesday dinners. Following club climbing at the recreation center, members gather back together at the duplex for dinner and movies of famous climbers attempting what are considered the world's most difficult climbs. With Stephen's as their chef, they feast on meals like pot roast and potatoes, tacos and the traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
"We make whatever we can get in mass quantities and at a reasonable price," Stephens said.
The others slowly come out to join him in working their way up from the slanted walls to the holds above the mats on the concrete floor.
Even though Karlin can see his own breath as he talks, the cold temperature doesn't stop him from climbing in the garage for nearly another hour following dinner.
Without being able to use their feet, eventually nearly everyone takes a spill onto the mats, but they continue to climb, encouraging each other as they go.
"I didn't know any of these guys before." Karlin said. "Now, we're all good friends."
$\Leftrightarrow$ Schneider is a Lawrence sophomore in journalism. Edited by Laura Francoviglia.
Keith Shepard, Kansas City, Mo., freshman, dangles from the rock climbing wall, deciding what to do next. Shepard attempted a more difficult course during the Rock Climbing Club's session.
FOR MORE
Interested in joining the KU
Rock Climbing Club?
Reserved climbing wall hours
for the club at the Student
Fitness Recreation Center:
♦ Tuesdays 4:30-6:30 p.m.
♦ Wednesdays 8-10 p.m.
♦ Thursdays 7-9 p.m.
Thursdays 7-9 p.m.
Dues: $25 per semester
Benefits include:
Healthy, cheap fun, team trips and discounts at local stores
Contact:
Ashton Martin
(785) 979-1545
martin85@ku.edu
Learn more:
www.ku.edu/~kurc
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
ALL ARE WELCOME
Source: KU Rock Climbing Club
Brad Miller, Leavenworth senior, watches the progress of a climber while securing his safety rope every step of the way. Miller did the same for numerous KU Rock Climbing Club members during their session Thursday at the Student Recreation Fitness Center.
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