Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 23, 1995 TAG: 9501240072
SECTION: NEWSFUN PAGE: NF-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY GLEINER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Whew! It wasn't a dream: You really were climbing, but at the Rocwood Indoor Climbing Facility in Roanoke.
For the past two years, children and adults have been scaling the 22-foot-high, 44-foot-long wall in harnesses attached to ropes. Belayers (someone who holds a rope during mountain climbing) on the floor control the ropes which are anchored by bolts in the floor. No one can fall more than a few inches.
The system of ropes is so strong that at its weakest point, it could hold up a car weighing more than 4,000 pounds. So it's definitely going to hold you up.
The gym wall is dotted with odd-shaped chunks of rock sticking out from many of the holes drilled into it. The rocks are bolted into place but can easily be moved into other holes.
``We can add or take away rocks and even change their direction,'' said Tom Clarke, outdoor recreation programmer for Roanoke City Parks and Recreation, which runs the facility.
Parts of the wall jut out at angles, like outcroppings or overhangs of rock.
``Frankenstein's Forehead'' is the climbing wall at CMT's new store on Apperson Drive in Salem. It's narrower than Rocwood, but just as high. Climbing is limited to 15 minutes at a time, and the route can be changed.
At Roanoke's wall, beginners and experienced climbers can grab the hand- and footholds next to each other but be climbing different routes, according to their skill levels. And the route is changed every few weeks, so the wall you climb on Friday may be totally different from the one you attempted on Wednesday.
In about 15 minutes, you can learn the basic safety rules and procedures for being on the wall. And then, up you go . . .
Listening to your belayer is really important. He or she is specially trained and can give you ideas on where to place your hands and feet next, encourage you and help you get down when you're ready.
Sometimes it's hard to hear the belayer over the shouts of friends cheering you on. And, when you get down, you often find out your friends were just as nervous about climbing the wall as you were. But they also had as much fun.
Right now, you have to be 12 to climb the wall, unless you're with a group. Church groups, Scouts and students have been coming to the wall - and some kids are even having their birthday parties there.
Chris Robbins and Drew Linkous, both 9-year-old students at Crystal Spring Elementary School in Roanoke, had their friends climbing the wall at their joint birthday party in December.
Chris remembers being scared at first - ``it sure looks like a long way up'' - but agreed he really felt good afterward.
``It was one of the best birthday parties I've ever had,'' he said. ``It took a lot of work, but it was really fun. I don't think I'd do outdoor rock climbing, but I'd like to go back there.''
Some of Drew's friends said, at first, ``Oh, man, I'm not going on this wall.'' But every one of them at least tried it and many made it to the top.
``I had a hard time,'' Drew said, ``but I kept on trying. It was even fun coming down.''
It was especially hard for Drew because he's afraid of heights. It helped him be a little less scared and he's planning to try it again.
The party was such a success that some of Chris and Drew's friends are planning to have their parties at the wall.
There are plans to expand the wall to the full length of the gym and to add a ``cave.'' This isn't the kind that's dark and damp, but a moveable part of the wall that can be angled outward. If it's angled all the way out, to 90 degrees, climbers would be upside down, with their backs parallel to the floor. Climbers will be without harnesses or ropes and have a deep foam pad underneath them, just in case.
Outdoor climbing doesn't use a rope system that's above the climber. Usually, a climber puts a clip into rock ahead of himself or herself, then attaches the rope to it and pulls up. Plans are under way to put in these ``lead'' routes to make the climbing more realistic.
Still, the wall is a good workout, even for experienced climbers.
Catherine Dalton, 15, has been mountain climbing for a couple of years. ``I climb inside when I have to,'' she said, ``but this is good practice for outdoor climbing.''
Rock climbing is good exercise for strength, coordination and balance. It's also good for conditioning, using a series of leg squats and pull ups.
``The wall doesn't demand strength so much as body position and balance,'' Clarke said. ``You have to keep your weight centered over the main part of your body.''
Concentration is really important, too, and climbing helps you focus on what you're doing right at that moment. If your mind wanders and you start thinking about what's for dinner ... oops!
``The wall looks more dangerous than it really is,'' Clarke said. ``You think, `I'm going to die any minute,' but you're really very safe.''
Some kids come in and just zip up the wall; others are afraid of heights, don't have self confidence or lack trust.
``No one's a loser when they come to the wall,'' Clarke said. Even if you don't get onto it, ``at least you came into the building.'' It's OK not to try, too,
For those who do, they often walk away with at least a little more self-esteem, knowing they've done something they didn't think they could.
``Everyone has a level of fear of something,'' Clarke said.
For a monthly schedule of open climbing sessions and classes, call Roanoke City Parks and Recreation, 981-1339, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The Rocwood Indoor Climbing Facility is located on Reserve Avenue, near Victory Stadium.
``Frankenstein's Forehead'' is available at CMT during regular store hours.
by CNB