Carleton Climbing

Fall has started which means I am back on campus for fall term! While I have many things I am trying to work on as I step right into my junior year at Carleton (reducing my procrastination, bettering my time management, the list goes on) one goal I have is to stay active and do things that are fun and stress reducing. Though I play for Syzygy–Carleton’s DI ultimate frisbee team that plays in the Women’s Division–I have to miss two practices a week for my Geology labs. Because of this unfortunate schedule that I have created for myself, I am attempting other ways that can get me up and moving from my desk.

For me this looks like a brand new (potential hobby?) of climbing in the bouldering cave at Carleton! Now don’t get me wrong, I am not an expert and I have only been bouldering four times in my entire life. But two of them have already been within the first week of the term and I am excited to make it a habit.

What is bouldering?

According to a quick Wikipedia search bouldering is defined as “a form of free climbing that is performed on small rock formations or artificial rock walls without the use of ropes or harnesses”. The definition makes it sound a bit scary doesn’t it? Luckily it isn’t that far off the ground (maybe 10 feet at the most?) and most falls are harmless.

How did I get into it?

Last spring my teammate/friend/geology buddy Clara asked me to go climbing and I said sure. It’s that simple. It was towards the end of the term so I wasn’t able to make it a part of my regular schedule, but over the summer my current roommate Audrey got into climbing so I have someone else to go with! After spending a bit of time at the bouldering cave I am starting to discover that a lot of Carleton students go climbing (who knew?).

How does it work at Carleton?

The bouldering cave is located on the first floor of the Recreation Center and is free for all students! All you have to do is go to the front desk, ask for a pair of climbing shoes in your size, and head over to the cave. When you get there the first time in a term you have to fill out a quick waiver online, but after that you are good to go!

The walls are set up with a sorts of different climbs varying in difficulty which is indicated by the color of the name tag for that climb. Usually the walls are reset with new climbs once a term so after you master them you get to try something new.

Why do I like climbing?

Climbing is fun (and free) and often you have to pause and think about the climb that you’re going to do. I find it to be a fun mental and physical challenge that does not involve using the same part of my brain that I use for most classes, and it’s a great outlet for stress. I often see a lot of my friends and teammates when I climb which makes it a great social time too. Everyone is so supportive and ready to offer advice and support. Best of all they cheer you on when you finally figure out a climb you just couldn’t quite get before!

Hannah is a junior majoring in Geology and minoring in Classics. As a Minnesotan she considers herself somewhat of an expert on MN winters. At Carleton, she fills her schedule with writing for the Admissions blog, working as a CCCE Communications Fellow, doing geology research and TAing geology classes, and increasing voter engagement on campus. When Hannah isn’t in class, she can be found tossing a frisbee with Syzygy, crocheting, reading, walking and skiing in the Arb, thrifting, and hanging out with her besties. Meet the other bloggers!