October 16, 2018

Hey, Alex and Nate here! This week on My Rec Life we reached new heights at the climbing wall! We came… we saw… we didn’t conquer… but we had a great time trying! Coming from a couple of first-timers, who aren't too great with heights, the rock wall was an exhilarating experience. At first the wall looks daunting and each slip of the hand causes your heart to skip a beat. However, there is no better feeling than reaching the top! The team at the climbing wall was excellent to work with, and seeing the supportive smile of Tyler, our belayer (the anchor person below), made the climb more comfortable. After the first trip to the top, we continued trying the other routes; some more difficult than others. Having a number of different challenges provided an interesting variety of climbs. Climbing with a friend at the same experience level kept us motivated and encouraged to try new things!

We went into this experience thinking “We’re pretty fit. I’m not going to be jumping rock to rock, but I’ll make it to the top. No problem!” At first we did, until we tried a harder climbing route which required more skill. The staff was great and did as much to help as they could. I felt welcomed, encouraged, and had a great time throughout.

The climbing wall allows you to learn at your own pace with an experienced staff member that supports you every step of the way. A unique aspect to the Rec Center, the climbing wall allows students and members to expand their range of movements, focusing on muscles that aren't typically used every day at the gym. 10/10 would recommend, 10/10 would climb again.