At NSA spring fest just started and the majority of the students signed up for Rock Climbing. I had the chance to talk two students at NSA that take this elective. Sam Bloom has been doing rock climbing for years and has been showing Scott Wood his techniques, and equipment they have to use. “There are two different types of rock climbing: belaying and bouldering” said Scott Wood. “Bouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope. There are very short climbs with a crash pad underneath so if anyone falls there will be no serious injury. Bouldering is usually done in a gym, but it can be done outdoors. During the hockey season Sam and I would go to the open gym to do bouldering. Now that there is Rock Climbing as a spring elective I don’t have to do that. “Belaying involves knowing all the techniques, safety hazards, how to tie your rope, and hook in” said Sam Bloom.
“There are several different techniques” said Sam Bloom. I asked Bloom if he could describe the techniques in more depth. “ There is an arm bar/elbow bar technique. This is when you jam your arm into a crack and lock it into place. The bridging, or stemming technique is when you climb a corner with your legs spread wide apart, and your feet relying on friction or very small holds. The third technique is called campusing. This is when you use only your arms to pull yourself up. The fourth technique I use is the chest jam. The chest jam is when you jam the torso into a wide crack, to rest. The Chimneying technique is a little difficult than the others. This technique involves climbing between opposing rock faces, with the back and hand against one face and the feet against the other face, or alternating between both. The last technique I use is called Dyno. This is when you take your momentum and jump and reach the rock and hold beyond your reach.
“In conclusion around ten people attend this rock climbing activity said Scott Wood”. “As of right now NSA students are banned from the climbing gym. The owner said the NSA students are disrespectful and don’t pick up when they are done. Some of the students tried picking up and helping them out so they weren’t banned. He was demanding obscured tasks to be done, a lot of the students left. As I was leaving the owner threw an empty bottle that I left. He told me to recycle it along with my brain. He also said none of us have a worth ethic. I personally got annoyed with this statement and walked out of there.” I asked Bloom and Wood if they think this ban will be permanent or temporary. “I think this situation will just be temporary until we clear things up with the owner. The kids at NSA are really respectful at the climbing gym, and always pick up after themselves. There had to been a misunderstanding. I really enjoy rock climbing and the climbing gym, like I said before I used to go during the hockey season. If we are banned permanently I won’t be that upset because im am not coming back next year, but for the next couple weeks I would have to find some other activities to keep busy.”
I did some research and thru my conversations with Sam and Scott have come up with the following list for rock climbing. Equipment-rope, cord, webbing, carabineers, quick draws, harness, belay devices, ascenders, Slings, Daisy Chain, Protection devices, nuts, hexes, spring loaded camming devices, tricams, training equipment’s-, grip savers, fingerboards, campus boards, bachar ladder, Specialized Clothing-, helmet, climbing shoes, belay gloves, Miscellaneous Equipment-tape, Haul bag, Gear Sling, Bouldering Mat, Chalk, Chalk Bag, Resin, Nut tool, Rope bag Webbing
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