A Place that Rocks!

Front View of Rock Wall

A Place that Rocks!

By: Nichole Herbst

Upon walking into the Bloomsburg Recreation Center, you can easily spot the tall rock wall as soon as you open the doors. The rock wall sits in between the cardio room and the weight lifting room, this allows for people to view it upon passing by. There are two main sections of the rock wall. One wall has features that resemble an island in which one can climb continuously as the holds and routes wraps all the way around the faux stone. This wall only has bouldering available. The other long wall stretches across the wall closest to the cardio room. This wall contains some easier routes as well as top rope routes. The community at the rock wall helps to facilitate a welcoming environment with fun activities such as bouldering, top-rope, and climbing games.

Once you enter the rock wall area the atmosphere is the most noticeable.  Some may expect an intense environment from the rock wall, however, upon hearing the employees laugh with each other and tell stories while Red Hot Chili Peppers plays in the background has a way of putting people at ease. The rock wall area has dim lights, which provide enough illumination for the holds without being overwhelming. Although the atmosphere often remains calming, it can intimidate people wanting to try climbing for the first time. The employees who work there help in making the experience less stressful. While actively climbing on the rock wall during a game of 'Add-On', employee Gavin notices two students standing near the front desk. Over his shoulder he calls out, 

"Do you guys want to climb?"

Both of the girls look at each other a little nervously before nodding. Gavin grabs a higher hold on the rock wall. 

"Alright," Gavin repositions his feet before grabbing another hold, "just sign in on that sheet right there and I'll grab you guys some shoes." 

Once the two students sign in Gavin jumps down from the wall and takes the girls to the supply closet to get a pair of climbing shoes. He then spends time explaining the different activities they can try at the rock wall.

Employee Regan Bouldering - V6

One of the most common activity climbers do at the rock wall is bouldering. Bouldering involves climbing without using a harness and instead using extra padding to cushion your fall. Bouldering only takes place on shorter walls, those under 14 feet in height. You climb much closer to the ground with bouldering than with top rope. All of the walls at the Rec have bouldering options. A different color tape makes each route for bouldering. The distinct and bright colors allow for easy location of your next move. The start and end of the route has tape with an arrow where you should put your hands first and last. Routes contain labels with different numbers to rank how difficult they are. The levels range from V0-V10. The easiest level, V0, usually has bigger holds while the more advanced level uses smaller holds and even natural features on the walls. At different rock walls, routes may have different grading due to the fact that the grading changes from place to place.

Top rope on the other hand has more complexity to it. To top rope you need to use a harness and have a partner or staff member there to belay you. The taller wall, the one against the cardio room, has around six ropes that can be used to top rope. Top rope routes are a little more rare at the rock wall, there are only a few that are labeled with colored tape. At the Rec, people commonly top rope without using a specific route. Usually beginners will top rope and try to hit the bell at the very top of the wall.

Another option at the rock wall is a game called Add-On. This game of bouldering requires at least two people. To play, one person will start and pick two holds on the rock wall, they will then move their right hand to another hold. Once they do this their turn is up. The next player will then start exactly where they did and move their right hand to the exact same hold before adding on another hold with their left hand. This game continues with players taking turns adding on one more move at a time until players begin to fall. The last player that has not fallen wins.

Two Players (Employee's Regan and Gavin) during Add-On - Doing the same first move

While trying all these activities the importance of safety should never be overlooked. Ways to prevent injury at the rock wall include the use of crash pads and harnesses when applicable. Employee Gavin reacquaints that "This woman... she was climbing she didn’t put a pad under her, which we always have these giant mats we put under you so when you fall its a nice comfortable landing and she didn't put it in the right spot and all the sudden she fell and did something to her ankle that she was in a boot for 6 weeks, and that was pretty bad." Even with the floor covered completely in removable padding further safety measures should be taken. When bouldering you should pull the extra padding, called crash pads, underneath you. There are several crash pads scattered around the room, their use is very important. When placing a crash pad think about where you will fall from at the highest point of the climb.

While people may have mixed opinions about climbing, the staff at the rock wall have good reasons for why new people should try. Employee Marcus believes that "it's good exercise for your hands, body, and the spirit”. Not only does rock climbing work out you body but also your mind. It is not always just a physical challenge. Another employee and climber Regan “really likes the problem solving aspect" to climbing and finds that most rewarding about climbing. People who want to start climbing are always welcome and included. Regan continues to say that the environment and people at the rock wall "fosters a sense of support and everyone is so helpful and kind...I think the community here is really great, it’s a strong community.” Even a complete beginner can find a sense of support with other climbers at the rock wall as people of all levels climb there.