Mind & Body
^....1
Scott Bamett/Ememld
Senior resident assistant Maritza Ryciak tackles one of the many climbing walls at Crux Rock Gym on West 3rd Avenue.
■ Eugene: Willamette St.
I 2858 Willamette St.
"
GREAT PEOPLE
W8
REAT FOOD
*2C9l,y
oivoecf
a. Bi
Eugene: Delta Oaks
1060 Green Acres Rd.
344-1901
I Organic Viennese Coffee
whole bean.$5.69/lb
005926
CAFETO
Select Soy Milk
plain, vanilla organic soy milk; lowfa,
rice milk; plain, vanilla, cocoa with
Acidol
32 oz..990
L
O
C
A
L
•
O
R
E
G
o
N
Organic Oats with Herbs
rasberry, maple, vanilla, apple
11.5 oz..$1.99
Bottle Tea
black or herbal: basic black,
simply red (herbal), tazo berry
(black), wild sweet orange (herbal)
16 oz..790
+ AZ©
prices good thru3/31/99
Eugene: Highway 99
ll&GH’i
4.
Springfield
: ■
Cottage Grove
Grants Pass
4, 4-306/ •
t Grants Pass
-J; -)- li
Albany
• :• a • Sf
!)?<•-« 190
Scott liamett/Kmerald
Marita Ryciak stretches to reach a handhold. Some ot the walls at Cnix reach 21/2 stories.
Climbers weigh pluses and
minuses of indoor versus
outdoor rock climbing
By Edward Yuen
tot the Emerald
ichelle Emmons was in
troduced to rock climbing
eight months ago, and
she’s already caught the
fever.
“Rock climbing is like solving a
puzzle,” the senior journalism
major said. “It is a great exercise
for strength building and develop
ing mental focus.”
Emmons is one of many people
who have discovered rock climb
ing in recent years. It’s a sport suit
able for people of all ages,
climbers say. And it can be done
on both natural rock walls and on
man-made indoor walls.
Each type of climbing has its
own pros and cons, climbers say.
“Outdoor climbing is more cre
ative,” Emmons said. “It has no set
route. Indoor rock climbing is lim
ited to the creativity of the [rock
climbing] center.”
Besides the route of the climb,
the biggest difference between in
door and outdoor climbing may
be the climber’s feeling.
“Indoor walls are very short,”
said Erik Gomez, coordinator of
the Crux Rock Gym in Eugene.
“You are climbing on plastic in
stead of real rocks. ”
Outdoor climbers run the risk of
exposure to the elements, howev
er, Gomez said.
Daniel Geiger, associate coordi
nator of the Outdoor Program,
said beginning climbers should
start with a class in order to learn
safety procedures and basic skills.
Gomez recommends beginners
start with indoor climbing, which
provides a better chance to devel
op the required techniques, he
said.
Two rock climbing classes are
being offered spring term, but they
are filling up quickly. Only one
spot was available early this week.
The University is also building
a indoor rock climbing wall in the
remodeled Esslinger Hall. The
wall will open next year.
Students who enjoy outdoor
rock climbing can also check out
the Outdoor Program, which or
ganizes three to five trips a year.
While rock climbing is an indi
vidual sport, Geiger said, students
should always go with at least one
friend. “You need a trusted part
ner to go with you,” he said.
Geiger said Smith Rock, located
northeast of Bend, is one of the
world’s best outdoor climbing
sites and a favorite for many stu
dents.
Students can also make recom
mendations for more personal
ized trips if they like, Geiger said.
For more information on the trips
or climbing in general, call the
Outdoor Program at 346-4365.
For printed information, the
Outdoor Program is collaborating
with some local climbers on pro
ducing a guidebook that features
Flagstone, a climbing site near the
McKenzie River. The guidebook
will be released in May.
Scott Ramett/F.merald
Thurston High School student Zack Cords likes to climb at Crux 2 or 3 times a week. Crux
Gym offers special discounts on student memberships.