Climbing Wall is peak of Rec. Center

If you're bored with your current workout routine or looking for an exercise regiment that will hold your interest, you may want to frequent the Recreation Center's climbing wall. One of the many amenities constructed as part of the new building, this wall is a substantial improvement over the wall in the old Athletic Center and has spurred a "mountain" of interest in rock climbing among students at Hopkins.

Students wishing to climb can visit the wall during several periods of "open climb" throughout the day. Before they are allowed to take to the wall however, they must obtain belay certification, proving familiarity with climbing techniques. For those with no prior experience, a belay class is offered to help prepare for the brief test of knowledge and procedure. The session, taught by student wall staffers, ensures that potential climbers can put a sit harness on, tie into the rope with a figure eight follow through, belay with an ATC belay device and that they know how to stay safe and keep their partner safe while top rope climbing indoors. After taking a course to learn the basics, students must wait at least one day before becoming certified. In order to retain certification, students must climb at least once per semester.

In addition to offering courses and testing students, another component of the student-staffer job is the doling out of necessary equipment. Students receive harnessing and belay devices and, if needed, rental shoes before climbing. Rental shoes are provided free to students three times and beyond that, rental cards may be purchased for $15 or $40, offering respectively 20 uses and unlimited use during the semester.

So, once the paperwork is out of the way and you are in the right gear, you're ready to climb and to sweat. "It's a good workout," said sophomore Steven Schadler, president of the Hopkins rock climbing team. "And rock climbing is always interesting. It's not repetitive like running or lifting weights. Every route is different."

Junior Sarah Dashiells, a student-wall-staffer agrees that the physical activity is a rewarding and exciting one. "You can easily measure your progress because maybe today you can do something that you weren't able to the day before," she said.

Another inviting aspect of the climbing scene is social interaction. All students interviewed commented on the fun that they have with other climbers. Because top rock climbing requires that someone belay, or spot, the climber, the sport is one that requires constant social interaction.

"It's a social sport. Other people cheer you on," Dashiells continued. "There are different routes, and when someone finishes a route, and they do it clean, it's a big deal." She also commented on the overall friendliness of the wall area which, coupled with "good music," adds to the overall atmosphere.

It is in the spirit of this community component that the rock climbing team was formed last year. With 30 regular members, the team practices three days a week. Practices on Monday and Wednesday are held from 10 p.m. to midnight and the Friday practice runs from 2-4 p.m. The group is holding this year's first climbing competition on Sunday, Nov. 24 and encourages participation by anyone interested, regardless of experience level. "It's not super competitive," Schadler said. "There will be climbing categories for all levels."

Open climbing hours at the wall are 12-2 and 6-10 p.m., Monday through Friday and Saturday and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Belay classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5-6 p.m. Certification takes place anytime staff is available. Those students interested in the climbing team's competition may request information by e-mailing jhclimbing@hotmail.com.