THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 1, 1997 TAG: 9702010309
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MYLENE MANGALINDAN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: 61 lines
With a smile and a wave, Tony Yaniro left swinging.
The world-class rock climber stepped off a brick roof ledge of the Virginia Air and Space Museum to glide from a pink rope, arching sideways gracefully, before dangling, twisting to avoid a light post and sliding to the ground.
Down fell Yaniro, on his arm. Up he bounced to bow before his young fans, a group of 100 schoolchildren on a museum trip.
Yaniro dropped into Hampton on Friday to promote his IMAX film ``To the Limit,'' showing at the museum. The movie features close-up footage of three athletes - a ballerina, a skier and Yaniro - and an explanation of the workings of their inner bodies as they exert energy in their sports. In the film, Yaniro scales El Capitan's daunting vertical cliffs in Yosemite National Park. It also shows how his red blood cells react during the feat.
Garbed in cotton sweats, a climbing harness and other gear, Yaniro fielded questions from his young and young-at-heart audience after his stunt.
Was it scary?
``A little, but it's always fun,'' answered the good-natured Yaniro.
What's the difference between climbing mountains and dropping off the Hampton museum?
``You have to sign insurance waivers.''
Yaniro, 36, began rock climbing as a kid in summer camp. He took classes before venturing out with more experienced climbers, who taught him the ropes.
``Eventually you learn all you need to know to be safe,'' he said. As his skills grew more advanced, the California native gained recognition in climbing competitions, which rank athletes based on the difficulty of their feats on a man-made climbing wall. A friend from the outdoor competition ``Survival of the Fittest'' recommended Yaniro to the filmmaker during casting.
Then, stardom. Sort of.
Yaniro is nonchalant about the film and scaling El Capitan, an imposing mountain made famous by advanced rock climbers and photographer Ansel Adams.
About El Capitan: ``It's one of the easier ones. It's just big, and everyone knows it.''
He advised beginning climbers to ``learn to do it properly with an experienced person first.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by DICK DUNSTON, The Virginian-Pilot
Tony Yaniro's reflection shimmers as he rappels from the roof of the
Virginia Air and Space Museum.
Color photo with graphic
WANT TO GO?
Who: World-class rock climber Tony Yaniro will be dangling at the
Virginia Air and Space Museum, Hampton.
What: He's promoting the IMAX film ``To the Limit,'' which
features the workings of the human body as three athletes - a
ballerina, a skier and a rock climber - perform. His appearance is
part of the museum's Techno-SportsFest, highlighting athletes and
sports.
When: Today, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Where: Virginia Air and Space Museum, 600 Settlers Landing Road,
Hampton; 727-0900.