Rock Room Article Published in 2005 Cabin Log

Thousands of deer, endless trails, and fields to play in offered most outdoor enthusiasts more than enough options to enjoy on campus. However, rock climbers had few options besides an hour-long drive to Sand Rock, AL. Luckily climbers were able to enjoy climbing with friends and avoid the hassles of weather and bad locations by escaping to the Rock Room. Long after most people had left the Winshape Center, once a week student workers and Winshape Wilderness staff opened up the Rock Room for students to enjoy. While the amount participation varied each week, everyone who went always had a good time.

Weekly e-mails from Sophomore Jeff DerCola reminded students of the rock room, and with varying levels of response both beginners and accomplished climbers showed up every week. DerCola said, “When it started out at the beginning of the year, people did not know what to expect. It was really crowded the first couple of weeks.” After the initial crowds faded away, a dedicated group of ten or so people showed up every week, with another ten to fifteen new people coming each week.

Just because some people were considered “the regulars,” did not mean that others were not welcome. Sophomore Patrick Chamberlain climbed every week, and he said, “We were not exclusive. We liked newcomers, and despite what people may have feared, we did not judge anyone on their ability.” Even though Senior Emily Sutton had climbed on several occasions throughout high school and college, she was hesitant about climbing in the rock room at first. She said, “I had never gone up there until this year. I was just too nervous, and I was afraid that people would make fun of me. But now that I have gone, I would definitely recommend going to anyone.”

Seasoned climbers and beginners alike found great facilities and enough supplies at the Rock Room, but the best part may have been that it was all completely free. The Rock Room has continually improved, last summer the Rock Room team leaders DerCola and Sarah Freeman painted the facilities and organized the equipment. Twenty new climbing shoes were added to the collection of harnesses, helmets, ropes, carabineers, and belay devices that the Rock Room provides.

With updated equipment and a dedicated staff from Winshape Wilderness, the Rock Room was consistently able to provide a great venue for climbers. The Rock Room normally had five ropes set up, with the walls having ten to fifteen routes, along with numerous bouldering routes. Sutton compared the Rock Room to other climbing gyms she has been to, like Atlanta Rocks, and said, “The Rock Room is quality. It may be smaller than other places, and get a little cramped at times, but overall it is still great.”

The Rock Room also restarted a tradition from several years before, and hosted a climbing competition. The competition was successful, with approximately twenty competitors competing in different divisions. Chamberlain placed second in the upper division, and he said, “ I liked it because it is an easy-going atmosphere – we all help each other out. Even though we had a competition, it was all for the fun of it. No matter if you are doing the hardest route or the easiest one, it is all about completing your goals for the day.”

Everyone who visited the Rock Room came away with more than just a chance to improve his or her climbing skills. DerCola appreciated the opportunity to meet new people that he might not other wise. And Sutton found the Rock Room as a nice place to get away from the stress of schoolwork. She also said, “It was inspiring to go up there and watch some of the regular guys climbing and doing their own awesome things.”