Sports are often debated on whether or not they are “real.” People often base it off renown, cultural significance, and physical skill needed. Rock climbers at Lincoln often define the value of their sport not only through their enjoyment, but also the community and support from others that the sport provides.
Rock climbing has recently gained a significant amount of traction in the media, especially with Alex Honnold’s recent Taipei 101 climb, in which he climbed Taipei 101, 1,671-foot building in Taipei. This event, broadcasted live on Netflix, was watched by almost 6.2 million people, and brought huge traction to the sport of rock climbing. But what role does it play at Lincoln? With a bouldering gym just a 15-minute walk away, many at Lincoln choose to spend their time after school at the Seattle Bouldering Project in Fremont, including those in our very own LHS Climbing Club. They meet on the first Wednesday of every month and join up to go climbing every Wednesday after school. The community is filled with students of all ages who are interested in climbing as they bond and problem solve together.
Local climber Vance Evans (‘27) visits SBP 4-5 times per week, both to climb and use the traditional gym in the basement. Evans sums up his experience nicely, “I like to go climbing because it’s fun. And because of the community.”
Often when at the gym, you can find yourself running into other climbers you recognize from Lincoln among the other supportive members there. Each one is willing to cheer you on and work on a route with you, creating a helpful and caring community. “It sometimes feels like a puzzle, and people are really helpful and supportive when you’re working on it.” Evans adds. Climbing with others forms real relationships and is one of the most inclusive and beginner friendly sports out there. No matter what level of climb you’re working on, others working with you feel like friends as you both work to figure out the best method to climb it. Evans feels similarly about his trips to the gym, as he often goes to the gym alone, but by chance finds other Lincoln students or strangers to climb with. Relationships built from climbing also extend outside the gym, as many Lincoln climbers find themselves talking about familiar climbs during school hours. A conversation between Oliver Horner-Devine (27’) and Romero Loera (27’) during mentorship revealed this, as they spoke about a difficult route they had both been working on separately, mapping out the moves together. Climbing directly impacts Lincoln students as it creates powerful and meaningful relationships, while giving those who are not interested in extremely competitive sports an outlet to work themselves physically and mentally. Climbing is an accessible and empowering sport that Evans recommends all Lincoln students to try, not only to build athleticism, but to make great experiences and relationships.
