Great Outdoors: Rock Climbing
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It’s a perfect sport if you’re looking to challenge yourself, spend some time in nature and gain strength and flexibility.
In this week’s Great Outdoors we go rock climbing with Positive Energy Outdoors.
“We are really lucky in Minnesota to have some wonderful rock climbing,” said Owner of Positive Energy Outdoors Blake Cazier.
You don’t have to travel far in the Northland to find some great rocks to climb or even boulder.
“The Whopee Wall is a big chunk of the Duluth Gabriel Complex. It’s a really fun in-town climbing destination, a lot of people enjoy climbing here,” explained Cazier.
Whether you’re a beginner or experienced climber the wall offers a variety of climbs to challenge your skill set.
In fact, Cazier takes families to the wall, friends, couples, and even children’s groups.
The Whopee Wall is located off Piedmont and 1st Street in Duluth.
Fox 21’s Katie Lange was able to climb with Cazier, and his young son Ansel, at the wall.
“(It offers) lots of opportunities to learn safety skills and techniques,” explained Cazier.
Prior to climbing we discussed harnesses, wearing a helmet and the differences between indoor and outdoor climbing.
“When people climb indoors they are lucky they have anchor bolts and they have a man–made structure they are hanging from. Here when we are climbing at the Whopee Wall or other outdoor climbs, we build our own anchor system using pieces of equipment called artificial protection,” said Cazier.
We used a mix of artificial protection to safely rig our climb including: stoppers, camming devices, caribiners, webbing, and special rock climbing rope.
Along with that we also learned some lingo unique to the sport of rock climbing such as; belay.
“It is a real fun process of learning how to put all the pieces together and how to build a safe anchor, how to enjoy and be safe at the same time,” said Cazier.
It’s an entire mix of skills to enhance your climb to the top of whatever hill you’ve got your eyes set on.
Positive Energy Outdoors hosts year around adventure on the North Shore.
They are just one of a handful of opportunities in the Northland to climb with you could also try UMD, CSS and Vertical Endeavors.
