Climb Night

Rock climbing can be thought of as the pairing of two abilities:  the technical side of belaying, rappelling, anchor building, etc, and the physical movement.  The Mazamas have you covered in both areas.  For the technical skills, you can take any of the classes offered by the Mazamas or practice the basics at our Summer Rock Program held throughout the summer.  For the movement, there’s Climb Night!

Rock climbing is more than just “getting up the thing”.  It’s also about moving with confidence and assurance (maybe even elegance?), and this is something gained only through practice.  When we gain this skill and confidence in our climbing, it’s all the more fun.  From an easy alpine scramble to a 5.10 route at Smith Rock, rather than causing fear and apprehension, with some technique practice these areas can be the anticipated highlights of the entire climb!  A skilled climber eagerly looks forward to the technical cruxes (hardest point of the route) because they knows the demands are within their ability level.  This makes the overall climb more enjoyable… and after all, that’s why we’re out there in the first place, right?  As the late, great Alex Lowe said:  the best climber is the one who’s having the most fun.

To this end, we invite you to join us for Mazama Climb Night at Clubsport’s rock gym for the winter 2007-2008 season.  Climb Night is open to ALL Mazama members and non-members, regardless of age or climbing ability. We’ll have a supportive and beginner-friendly atmosphere to climb in with your friends and an opportunity to make some new ones.  Bring a friend or three and come on down!  BCEP students / grads welcome!  Don’t have a regular belay partner?  Come on by anyway – we can usually pair you up with someone for the evening.  Families are also welcome! This is a great way to introduce your kids to climbing on some of the kid-friendly walls at the gym.

Climb Night focuses on technique practice, not instruction.  For first time climbers, we would encourage you to check out some of the introductory rock climbing classes offered by Clubsport or other rock gyms in the area to learn belaying, signals and knot-tying.  When you know how to belay, you’ll have all the more confidence when someone belays you!

Pre-registration is not required.  On arrival at the front desk that you’re with the Mazamas, sign in & pay your fee - then head over into the climbing area.  All belayers must first pass a brief safety check by gym staff.  Those under 18 will need a parent/guardian who can sign a permission form the night of the event.

Check out a few pics from Climb Night...

Clubsport provides gri-gris (a type of auto-locking belay device) on every rope so there’s no need to bring a belay device of your own.  Helmets are not necessary at the rock gym.  The gym has excellent facilities and changing rooms available for use.

Mazama Climb Night is sponsored by the Adventurous Young Mazamas (AYM) for the entire organization.  We hope you can join us for the winter 2007-2008 season. Climb on!