Imagine hanging onto a gritty wall of rock, holding yourself up only by the strength in your hands and legs, trying to find a good place for your next step. One wrong move could cause you to slip, lose your footing, and leave you dangling by your hands, or worse, falling to the ground below. Sweat pours down your face and arms, and it takes all of your concentration just to hold on. Your muscles seem to be at their bursting point, and you do not know how much longer you can hold on.

And people call this fun?

In reality, rock climbing is not nearly as dangerous or stressful as it may seem. However, it is by no means an easy task. Some Roosevelt students welcome this challenge and are experienced climbers, mostly through scouting and Roosevelt’s Expedition Academy.

“It’s really fun and safe, especially with the right equipment and trusted friends,” said junior Zach Albright, a graduate from the Expedition Academy last year.

The first task of planning a rock climbing expedition is finding a place to climb. There are two types of climbing walls: the first type is an indoor wall, like those at the Kent State University Wellness Center and the Adventure Center at the Kent Recreation Center. There are also outdoor climbing locations, at centers like Hocking Hills and Hinckley Ledges, where climbers gain a great experience of climbing in natural conditions.

Deciding how to climb is also important. There are two basic ways to climb- either top rope or lead climb. Lead climbers, carry their safety ropes on their harness, and are responsible for planting safety gear such as screws, cams and carabiners. However, the easiest method for beginners and developing climbers is to top rope, the rope being pre-planted so the route is generally easier to climb. Choosing a climbing style can make the difference in planning the expedition.

The next task in planning the trip is to have the proper equipment. Basic equipment is a harness and rope; carabiners, which are used to connect ropes and harnesses as well as hold and organize equipment; and a belay system, which is used by climbers to lock their ropes and protect against dangerous falls. Expert equipment involves ascender and descender devices, squeeze cams, quickdraw carabiners, chalk bags, climbing shoes and an aggressive harness. Most of the equipment is expensive but is only a one-time investment. Stores like Appalachian Outfitters, Eastern Mountain Sports, Newman Outfitters, and even web sites like Campmor.com or Ebay sell gear. Also, most of the equipment for indoor climbing can be rented.

Overall, climbing is a sport that can be expensive and both physically and mentally stressful. However, according to climbers, these challenges are well worth it when actually climbing.

“It’s an activity that you can do with your friends, but your performance relies entirely on yourself. Plus, it is a physical and mental challenge in which you can always see your goal (the top) and work to accomplish a tangible victory,” senior Kevin Peck said.

“Everyone should give rock climbing a try,” Albright said.