To test wits, endurance and intensity, the Wildcat Recreation Center, on Sunday, held a climbing competition.
The Shredding, as it’s called, is a top-rope climbing competition. It’s based on the five toughest climbs you are able to complete throughout the event, according to Sam Steadman, an employee that works at the climbing wall. Steadman is also a frequent climber.
“I’ve been climbing since I got to Chico State,” Steadman said. “I’m a senior now and it has really changed my life and I would like to see other people get really involved in it too,” he said.
Some people would rather climb, than lift weights or run for exercise.
“It’s a fun exercise to do,” Theron Fumasi, a senior at Chico State said.
“It works different body parts than regular weightlifting,” he said.
Many people like climbing because of the atmosphere. They have conversations about climbing and other common interests. People were constantly motivating each other and giving advice on how to conquer routes.
“Me and my best friend wanted a winter activity that was outdoorsy but wasn’t outdoors so we started climbing,” Vanessa Chisum, a Chico State student, said.
“We come at least twice a week. It’s almost like a date,” she said.
There were also people that just came to watch others climb. Cheers roared out when someone reached the top and let out “awwws” of disappointment when they failed to reach the top. Most stayed until the winners of three different categories of climbers were announced.
The categories and winners are listed below:
Recreational
- 1st place: Vanessa Chisum
- 2nd place: Ky Price
- 3rd place: Andy
Intermediate
- 1st place: Sofia Lepore
- 2nd place: Emily Ruble
- 3rd place: Christopher Abel
Advanced
- 1st place: Greg Rubio
- 2nd place: Erik Estrada
- 3rd place: Max Pond
For more information about events at the WREC, you can visit their website.
Justin Jackson can be reached at [email protected], or on Twitter @JustJack0176
