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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2013
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Rock Climbing Club pushes students outdoors
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Underneath the entrance walkway to Anschutz Library, Ryan Surface, left, and Brian LeSage practice rock climbing.
HANNAH SMITH
hsmoith@kansan.com
Nate Gerber reaches into his bag, resting just at his hips, pulls out a round, white ball and rubs it on each of his palms. Fine-grained, white particles of chalk fill the air as he slaps his hands together and places them strategically on two awkwardly angled grips. He asks, "on belay?"
The belayer responds, "Belay on."
He's ready to begin his ascent.
Gerber, a freshman at the University, joined the KU Rock Climbing Club three weeks ago.
"It was one of the cheaper clubs, and rock climbing sounded like something fun to go out and do, and it doesn't require a lot of prior experience," Gerber said.
The Rock Climbing Club was founded in the 90s and is now run by Scott Snyder, a junior at the University and the president of the club. Becoming a member of the club costs $75 and requires a willingness to face heights, and learn new techniques and routes.
"Our motto is come to learn, stay to teach and go forth to climb"
said Snyder, "and we're going to teach them [the climbers] everything they need to know."
With the help of more experienced club leaders, Gerber has learned to enjoy the challenges of different routes on the Ambler Student Recreation Center's rock wall. He is currently working on breaking the fastest record of 16 seconds to the top on one of the more difficult routes.
Although a vast majority of the club's time is spent on the rec's
climbing walls, they have five weekend trips planned to experience climbing real rock walls while enjoying the beautiful scenery and each other's company. The first trip of it
ago, Sunday September 8, when the club carpooled to Missouri.
"Our motto is come to learn, stay to teach and go forth to climb."
SCOTT SNYDER
Rock Climbing Club President
With the weather being too hot to climb, making it risky for the climbers to pursue routes, the club enjoyed a day of swimming in a river located right at the foot of the cliff.
"Climbing
first trip of the year was two weeks real rock walls never becomes
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repetitive. Each route is unique and there are different levels to advance to and different routes to challenge yourself with. Figuring out routes is like a puzzle so it's mentally stimulating as well," Snyder said. "Plus, we get to be outdoors which is pretty cool."
The club looks forward to fall break, when they will travel out of state for a weekend full of climbing, camping, friends and the fresh, fall air. The climbers continue to improve their strength and skills by dedicating their time to club hours, which are from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. While working hard, the climbers are developing friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
For more information on the KU rock climbing club, you can email Scott Snyder at kuclimbing@mail.com, or call him at (913) 890-3234.
Edited by Evan Dunbar
DOWNLOADS
OVO SOUND
Drake's album, "Nothing Was the Same," was leaked before its Sept. 24 release.
Online music piracy creates controversy
HANNAH SUNDERMEYER
hsundermeyer@kansan.com
While Drake's new sentimental album and emotional bars may have you calling up your kindergarten girlfriend/boyfriend, the twitter leak of "Nothing Was the Same" has proven yet again that Aubrey "Drake" Graham is an incredibly versatile and talented artist-debatably releasing his best work to date.
Government programs have struggled to contain the spread of illegal downloads, and our internet culture makes it nearly impossible. Whether it is through an email, blog post, tweet, or status update, online activity makes it incredibly easy to share and download the latest music for free.
However this album leak brings up an age old controversy. Every day, millions of people illegally download music, movies, and other content online, but does that make it right?
"In my opinion I think it is okay to download the album if it leaks as long as you still buy it when it actually comes out. Most of the time you can pre-order albums on iTunes, so if it leaks early you've already paid for it," said Mike Lambert, a sophomore from
Yet many people are unaware of the consequences associated with getting caught. According to the Recording Industry Association of America's website, "Making unauthorized copies of copyrighted music recording is against the law and may subject you to civil and criminal liability. A civil lawsuit could hold you responsible for thousands of dollars in damages.
Chicago, Illinois.
The argument can go both ways, as illegally downloading can jump start digital sales and stimulate free advertising through social media. However there has been a definite impact in the economy of the music industry.
But whether you rebelled and downloaded NWTS or are patiently waiting for the official Sept. 24 release date, the leak serves as strong example of the debatable morality of downloading content.
thousands of dollars in damages. Criminal charges may leave you with a felony record, accompanied by up to five years of jail time and fines up to $250,000."
Especially as college students on a budget, the temptation to illegally download can be very real.
Edited by Casey Hutchins
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
The new restaurant, Merchants, is opening on Massachusetts Street after making changes from the previous owner, Teller's.
New restaurant brings fresh atmosphere to downtown
KRISTINA MAUDE
kmaude@kansan.com
Opening to the public this past Saturday and located on Mass Street where Teller's was, Merchants' owners T.K. Peterson and Phillip Wilson were set on transforming Merchants into a gastro-pub focusing on Midwestern food and bringing it back to its original roots.
"We took it back to its original form, and the original form was Merchants, that was the first bank at this location so we took it deeper into its historical value," Wilson explains.
If you're looking for great food and a relaxed environment, Merchants Pub and Plate provides a unique experience for Lawrence residents and students alike.
Meeting only last November, Wilson and Peterson have since constructed a restaurant to fit their personal style and taste. Wilson tends to take care of the front of the house, while Peterson is the head chef in the back.
The two owners have put a lot of thought into the restaurant, from
PHILLIP WILSON
Owner of Merchants
From the sunset on the wall to the wall of mirrors by the kitchen, Merchants' style allows the wood-work and original architecture to stand out. Wilson elaborates, "We really wanted to quiet the space and show the architecture and just let this be a beautiful space."
the menu to the decor. The ombre colors on the back of the bar, Wilson explained, are to pay homage to the Midwestern sunset.
THE
"We really want it to be a community restaurant; we're one to all."
"I think transparency in food is very important. I think people want to see what is happening with their food. People are very
While sitting and waiting for their food, customers can see the kitchen and watch their food being made.
In order to create a community style restaurant, Merchants has happy hour from 4-6 p.m. and 9 to close every night, with fun, small bar snacks friends can split
shakes hands and can spin
"We really want it to be a community restaurant; we're one to all. Everyone in the community comes, anyone who's budgeted or anyone who is a high-roller, it's here for all." Wilson explains.
intrigued about what it means to be a chef and what it is we do," Peterson said.
Merchants also has a beer program, where they house 30 domestic beers on tap. On the board where beers are listed, it was important to both owners that they listed the alcohol percentages so customers can drink responsibly.
On the door, customers will notice the times that Merchants closes is "late" on the weekdays and "later" on the weekends. Peterson said while they have customers, they won't close. They want to create an atmosphere where if customers want to be there, they can.
Edited by James Ogden
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