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Day Trippin': Rocking Out On The Climbing Wall

February 17, 2011|by Jackie Bartz | Channel 2 News

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — When it's too cold to “hang out” outside, many Alaskans choose to "hang out" inside. Over the past few years, indoor rock climbing has grown in popularity. 

“You can come to an indoor gym, learn how to climb safely and enjoy all the activity and movement and the excitement of climbing in a fairly, comfortable controlled environment," said Siri Moss, the co-owner of the Alaska Rock Gym.

Climbers compare indoor rock climbing to solving a puzzle. A variety of colors represent different routes with varying levels of difficulty. 

"You don't have to be a strong person, you don't have to be super-fit to be good at climbing," Moss said. 

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The best climbers have good technique, but that takes time to develop. 

"Really good climbers really can contort themselves and get all twisted up. And sometimes they are inverted up there on the wall," said Anchorage resident Peter Hurd, who visited the gym.

Moss says indoor rock climbing is a relatively cheap winter sport; all you need is a harness and a pair of shoes, which Moss estimates will cost about $200.

Climbers say the best part about the sport is not always reaching the top. 

"I think most of it is probably the journey to getting there. If you can finish that with actually getting to the top, all the better," said longtime climber Chance Bentley. 

For a list of prices at the Alaska Rock Gym, visit its website. Other rock gyms in town can be found at Alaska Pacific University and the Alaska Club. 

Contact Jackie Bartz at jbartz@ktuu.com
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