Haris Yahaya ’24
Last week, members of the Climbing PGA packed their bags for a trip to the New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia. The students departed after classes on Thursday and set up camp that evening at the American Alpine Club campgrounds. Over the course of the weekend, they climbed at Sandstonia, Summersville Lake, and Junkyard Wall.
Pete Gunkelman, assistant director of outdoor education, said, “The trip allows climbers to use all of the skills they’ve gained over the course of their 5 week session in climbing so far. They were able to climb 100 feet, route on toprope, clip bolts while leading sport climbs, place protection on trad lead, and get a sense of their place in the climbing community, all while enjoying perfect weather in the top sport climbing destination in the United States.”
The students also thought highly of the trip. Ivan Yelk ‘23 said, “It went very well, I had no idea that there was that kind of climbing accessible there. I was able to send it on some memorable routes with great guidance from Gunkelman.” Although the trip was enjoyable for student climbers, there were disappointments for some like Jack Reed ‘22. He said, “The crowds at some of the crags were the biggest issue we encountered but it was not a major issue at all.” Yelk said, “Everything, except the 6 hour drive and the traffic jam we got stuck on during the trip, was amazing.”
Students returned to campus exhilarated, dirty and tired. “The students seemed very excited. It’s empowering to put your skills and knowledge to use and even more so when you’re dangling 100 feet up in the air. Lessons taught with lives on the line tend to stick,” Gunkelman said. Norah Copenhaver ‘24 reported, “We were all super enthusiastic about it and I think we enjoyed every minute of it.” “There were so many more amazing spots to explore down there,” Gunkelman added.
The climbers have another trip planned for Halloween weekend. Yelk suggested hopefully that “maybe an extra full day” would be an improvement, but Gunkelman said, “Candy and costumes might have to be a thing next time. It can’t hurt to have sticky fingers and a Spider-Man onesie.”