Every week, hundreds of students from different majors test their dexterity on the Plymouth State University’s Climbing Wall. Located within the Health and Human Performance Center, the wall is a critical modality of academic instruction for both the adventure education and physical education programs and a resource for the entire campus community.
PSU’s climbing wall features two sections: a horizontal bouldering wall that climbers work their way up and across, and a 37-foot-high vertical section. Students learn to belay or climb with the assistance of a safety rope system as they would in outdoor conditions.
“We want students to have a healthy respect of height so they will learn to climb safely, but in reality, once you’re tied to a climbing rope managed by an experienced belayer you’re perfectly safe,” says Professor Christian Bisson, coordinator of the BS program in adventure education.
Plymouth State has a vibrant adventure education program with multiple courses, and the climbing wall is an essential lab. It’s also a good alternative to going outside so classes don’t have to be canceled in bad weather.
Shaeleen “Shae” Hughes ’22 and Ethan Vannata ’23 are both adventure education students who serve as wall staff, helping others get their footholds. Both used the wall in their Fundamentals of Rock Climbing course. “The climbing wall is where I learned how to belay and use technical rock climbing skills such as pickoffs and belay takeovers,” Vannata says. “It has better prepared me to manage risks in adventure education activities.”
The wall’s recreational side brings together students of all abilities. “It’s a wonderful atmosphere and very social,” says Bisson. “People come and just like to hang around each other because it is competition against one’s self and very supportive. It’s confidence building and there’s always music, discussion, and tips for helping each other.”
“The community welcomes you with open arms,” confirms Hughes. “The reason why I fell so in love with climbing is because of the people. We have many strong, skilled climbers using the wall on a frequent basis, and they are some of the most encouraging, supportive people for those who are just starting out.”
After Hughes completes her PSU studies, she is hoping to lead expeditions, then potentially go into guiding before continuing on for advanced study to ultimately become a teacher or professor. “The wall has prepped me to be a good facilitator as well as manage risk in an indoor setting,” she says. “It has also has helped build confidence and my personal limit with risk taking. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working there.”
A goal for the wall is to have it open as a public resource, of which there are only a handful in the northern half of the state. The option would heighten PSU’s profile within the climbing community, which is already significant in part due to the University’s proximity to Rumney Rocks, an area set within the White Mountain National Forest. It’s just a short drive from campus and an international destination for sport climbers.
At present, the wall is open to all members of the Plymouth State community on Monday through Thursday evenings, with experienced climbers on hand to help beginners. “I strongly recommend this sport to anyone looking to try something new who might be nervous to break into a new community,” says Hughes. “This is the place for you!”
