The wind picked up as sophomore Abby Clark reached the middle of her ascent, and her calloused hands searched for the next hold. After powering through to the top, she took in the breathtaking view of Joshua Tree National Park.
“I think it was perfect timing when I started climbing since I have enough time to gain the skills I need to improve,” Clark said. “I felt good when I accomplished a tough climb, I thought it was amazing that I could do it.”
Clark’s climb took place on her family camping trip to Joshua Tree during Memorial weekend.
“Pretty much most family vacations we go on are places we can rock climb,” Clark said. “Rock climbing is a very fun side-hobby since I like to take risks.”
Clark makes an effort to climb every day unless she has any prior obligations. She practices at either the Hangar 18 Indoor Climbing Gym in Arcadia or at home, where she and her brothers built a makeshift wall.
Clark and her brothers created the wall to resemble the many rock walls in Hangar 18. They used plywood, paint and interchangeable hand holds, completing the project in two days.
While Clark prefers outdoor climbing she is also familiar with bouldering and indoor climbing. Bouldering doesn’t require any ropes because the rocks are within 20 feet of the ground.
“There isn’t much stretching when it comes to climbing,” Clark said. “If anything, you would stretch your arms, fingers and legs, but I don’t stretch before.”
Clark’s brothers and father inspired her to begin rock climbing when she was 13 years old. She often accompanies her family on their vacations, and they travel to Joshua Tree or Mammoth Mountain to enjoy the scenery and overcome the mountainous terrain.
“My family went to Utah for mountaineering, hiking, rock climbing and rappelling,” Clark said. “When I went climbing at Zion Canyon, I thought it was absolutely beautiful.”
Clark plans to improve on traditional, or lead climbing, which requires focus and extra safety precautions since the climber needs to place the proper equipment in the cracks of the rock in order to ascend.
“Just try climbing, I think once you experience it, you won’t stop since the things you get to see and experience are amazing,” Clark said. “I would say for everyone to try rock climbing. It’s really exciting, fun and a good hobby if you’re not into anything and it’s really easy to get the hang of.”
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