Wilkes-Barre Rocks with Indoor Rock Climbing Gym

Looking for a new place to hang out? I recently found somewhere that really rocks.

After almost a year of engineering feats and construction, the much-awaited Wilkes-Barre Rock Climbing Gym recently opened its doors at 102-104 South Main Street. Opened by downtown ski and sport shop Top of the Slope owner and extreme sports guru Mike Miscavage and managed by 22-year outdoor climbing veteran Paul Bracey, rock climbers of all levels and ages are in great hands. Route setter Mike Pezzuto, a strong competitive climber, and instructor Corinne Allen round out the professional and helpful staff.

Since this reporter will basically try anything, within certain height limits, indoor rock climbing sounded like a new an awesome adventure, I decided to try a climb. First, the legalities. Upon entering the second floor gym, I had to sign a waiver. Admittedly already a little nervous, my pen really began to shake when I read the first line, which basically deemed rock climbing a potentially dangerous sport, and there could be possible injury.

After I signed my life away, I was suited up to look like a real extreme sports pro. First, I stepped into my harness, which was buckled snugly around my waist and both thighs. Later, my rope and/or cal... would be attached to the front to save me from a plunge to the ground.

Next, I tied a chalk bag around my waist, so the bag was located near the small of my back. This was incase my fingers got sweaty. I could just simply reach behind me and dip my hands in the chalk and continue my upward adventure with a better grip on the holds. Then, I had to put on special climbing shoes. So much for my New Balance sneakers that I thought rose so well to the occasion. Get it? New Balance? Anyway, these leather climbing shoes are supposed to fit very snug, so I went down a half size.

Then, Corinne took me into the gym area, a huge, open area covered with all different size rocks, or holds. There are also all different angles, corners and alcoves to add different challenges for climbers. Along with the different wall shapes, there are over 75 different routes, or problems as they are called, of difficulty ranging from V-0 to V-8. It's safe to say Corrine led me to a V-0 path. When you climb with a partner, it is called belaying, which is what you would do if you were just participating in a climb, not a lesson. This means not only is a safety rope attached to my harness, but a second climber as well, at this point the instructor, who will take in my rope to help lead me up and the wall, and then back down. To do belay someone, you need to be tested.

On my first climb, which run 3 for $12, I made it about half way up just to get a feel for how it felt to place my feet and hands on the holds. It's a little more challenging than it looks, as there are different styles: Some you can really grasp onto, while others are tiny and you have to just hold with your fingertips, and others are so broad you can only drape your hands across. This element is what lends to the problem solving end of the climb, figuring out where to go next, and how to hold on. And, at the same time, find somewhere for your foot to go. I panicked a little when I reached the halfway point, because first, I got disoriented and didn't know where to go next, but mainly because I looked down. Then, I wasn't really sure how to get down.

Corinne told me to let go of the rocks. "WHAT?" Yeah, let go of the rocks. She said she had me. I put all my faith in her that she wouldn't drop me, and let go. I was dangling in mid air, and realized that I was okay. I actually started to laugh because I was safe, and it was kind of a cool feeling. Then, she told me how to come down. I got into a sitting position in my harness and put my feet flat against the wall, and began to walk down, as she gave the rope slack. As I scaled down the wall, I felt like a member of the FBI Swat Team coming down a tall building. This part was fun!

Once on the floor, she had me go up one more time. I actually hit a snag at the same point on the wall. The holds were a little tricky. "Okay Corinne, I'm ready to come down again," I said. "No," she responded adamantly. "You're almost there." She guided me through the tricky steps, and I reached the pinnacle of the gym! I touched the ceiling and it was smooth sailing all the way back down. Thanks to her little push and motivation, I completed the climb.

After I survived my first climb, I was turned over to Paul, who ran me through the gym's 'Try-A-Climb' program, a $39.95 package that includes introduction to the gym, equipment rentals, a lesson, belay testing and a climb. As if I was back in Girl Scouts, Paul walked me through a figure 8 knot, the strongest knot for tying rope to harnesses. Practice makes perfect, he said, as I tied the knot twice before getting it totally perfect. After being tied into the harness, next would come the climb. But since I already did a climb with Corinne, Paul informed me that he would be climbing and I would be on the ground helping him up and down. Now, I have never saved a human life before (I have rescued a few bugs from drowning in a puddle and once saved a turtle from the highway), let alone held someone's life in my own hands, so you can imagine the fear of being responsible for hoisting and bringing down my nice instructor. Even if it was only a 27-foot drop onto a padded floor.

But, it turned out to be a little easier than I expected. You cannot even feel the weight of the person climbing. Of course, I found that out in Paul's special little way. As he was climbing and I was giving him slack, he jumped of the rocks. I screamed thinking he was going to fall down. But instead, he was just hanging there, waving to me from above. What a pisser! Then I realized I totally had him, and that aside from a little rope burn from moving the rope so fast, belaying is not too hard, and even a lot of fun. Bringing your belay partner down is the same as going up, only your hands move in the opposite direction. I was a little slow at that part, but with practice, I'll get the hang of it.

That's right. I said with practice. With no experience at all, and even a totally non-existent athletic background, I made it to the top of the wall and successfully belayed a 22-year climbing veteran. With that said, I may have found a new hobby. I just may hang out again at the Wilkes-Barre rock climbing gym.

The staff at Wilkes-Barre Rock Climbing Gym are not only professionals at and passionate for the art of rock climbing, but are also an extremely friendly and motivating individuals who will take great care of new climbers, pushing them to new limits.

Rock Climbing: A physical and mentally challenging sport

"Rock climbing is physically challenging and mentally stimulating because it is a naturally dangerous environment," manager Paul Bracey said.

Rock climbing, indoor and out, is both a physically and mentally challenging sport. It builds strength and endurance. And muscles: It's a great work out for forearms. And mentally, there is a lot of problem solving and logic involved. And, even with the most experienced climbers, there is still room to grow. After 22 years, Paul says he is still brushing up. He says there are new techniques introduced, and there are always new problems he hasn't solved yet.

Even so, the basics are pretty easy to grasp. In fact, instructor Corinne has only been involved with the sport for about four months. Already a very daring athlete who loves to mountain bike and jump out of planes, owner Michael Miscavge did not have to twist her arm to put a harness on her and send her up the wall.

"I totally love it! The more I do it, the more I like it," she beamed. She added that rock climbing is a sport where girls can truly be equal with the boys. "I like to keep up with guys. Tons of girls here can kick the guys butts!"

Although she is still indulging in a book titled "How to Rock Climb," Corinne certainly is one heck of an instructor already. Pretty soon, she's likely to be running trips to Yosemite, where Paul has been known to dangle off 2,000-foot cliffs.

So, is indoor rock climbing a good place to start for someone who wants to brave the great peaks and cliffs of some on the country's tallest mountains, like Yosemite? Yes, says Paul.

"It's a really good place to start. Indoors, it is a much more controlled environment, and more protected, so it really is like a different sport, but it's a good place to get mentally prepared and build strength," he said. Paul commented that he is affiliated with a highly accredited New York state guide, whom he will often refer climbers to. One warning about making the transition to outdoors: You can fall further.

So who climbs? Paul says it is hard to categorize a climber. The gym attracts climbers of all ages and levels. "Kids come in and have a blast, entire families climb together, which is great to see, and competitive climbers come in to improve and work on problem solving." And, although only open for two months, Wilkes-Barre Rock Climbing Gym has quickly turned up its share of regulars. In fact, Paul says Northeast Pennsylvania has a very strong climbing base. Take Kevin Ayers of Newton for instance:

"I look at my watch earlier and it said 12:05. I was like, 'Oh my god! The gym has been open five minutes and I am not there yet!" Ayers, who is truly addicted to the sport, loves the attitude that goes with climbing. "You just do what you want and have fun doing it."

Greg Gondella of Taylor likes the rush. "Climbing makes you stronger, and improves mental stability. You are thinking the whole time you are on the wall. It's a real adrenaline rush," he said.

He introduced his friend Jen Hamby, or Clarks Summit, to the gym, and she agrees that the sport is just as mental as it is physical. "Climbing gives you focus. You can do things you didn't think were possible, and defeat gravity," she said.

And, the best part about indoor climbing, aside from the padded floor? Climbers do not have to withstand the elements! It's always a perfect day for a climb, whether it is brutally hot, a torrential downpour or a blizzard, the conditions are always perfect at Wilkes-Barre Climbing Gym.

INFO:

Wilkes-Barre Rock Climbing Gym

102-104 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre

(Use rear entrance on Livingston Lane)

570-824-7633