Senior Tricia Kehl likes to play with rocks. Better yet, she likes to climb them.
A serious rock climber for a little over a year and a half now, Kehl thanks her good Ohio State friend Abbie for (literally) showing her the ropes.
“The first time I went climbing was for a climbing week spent in Red River Gorge, Kentucky,” said Kehl. “That’s pretty much the closest good place to go when you’re living in Ohio.”
A Spanish and international studies dual major from East Canton, Kehl does travel a bit to get her fix. She’s already been on four outdoor expeditions to Kentucky, Colorado, and Texas.
Yet, distance can’t keep Kehl away. Before last September, she went climbing indoors twice a week, with Vertical Adventures being her preferred spot over OSU’s RPAC.
Last September, she shattered one bone and broke her ankle in four different spots while bouldering, a style of rock climbing where no ropes are involved. She fell 10-15 feet–a drop comparable to a drop from the second floor of Blackmore, where our interview took place.
Since her injury, Kehl has climbed only a handful of times.
“I went about a week and a half ago, but I’m still in physical therapy. I have to take it kind of slow,” said Kehl. “And I’ll probably wait a little while before I go bouldering again.”
Good news for Kehl, there are several main climbing styles: top roping, lead climbing, bouldering, multi-pitch, and traditional climbing.
More suited for beginners, top roping is Khel’s preferred style; lead climbing involves a climber clipping points as he or she ascends; multi-pitch involves more than one pitch, or rope length; and traditional climbing, or “trad,” involves the most experienced climbers ascending with gear and inserting hooks along the way.
With one serious ankle injury already down in the books, what drives Kehl to climb?
“I’m just not a team sports kind of person,” said Kehl. “With climbing, you push yourself as hard as you can. And, ideally, I enjoy climbing outdoors because you chance upon really beautiful views.”
If beautiful mountainscapes aren’t enough reason to take to the hills, climbing culture pleases Kehl as well.
“Typically, climbers are an easygoing, fun group to be around. We all like the outdoors,” said Kehl. “We all like climbing, hiking, and camping.”
Yet, unlike hiking, climbing relies more on mental and upper body strength. Asked if she does any supplemental exercising, Khel giggled and said, “I just climb.”
While plugging yourself on the side of a mountain may be a priceless experience, the hobby can become pricey fast.
Kehl borrows some supplies from her friends, but a new climber looking to climb outdoors must invest in rope ($300-$500), a harness ($60), a chalk bag ($20), climbing shoes ($80), an ATC device used for rappelling ($20), and a quick draw ($15).
For anyone looking to go climbing for the first time, Vertical Adventures offers beginners’ open climbs from 2-6 p.m. Saturday and Sundays. Five climbs cost $25 with each additional climb being $3.
