A Beginners Guide to Sport Climbing: A Photo Essay
Rose Julian repels down a mountain face while sport climbing at Duncans Ridge in Fort Collins, Colorado on December 1, 2021. f/11 1/200 ISO 640 Photo by Jane Hillhouse Copyright 2021.
"A Beginners Guide to Sport Climbing"
Photos and Text By: Jane Hillhouse
Rose Julian came into her freshman year at Colorado State University excited to ski the Rockies, mountain bike in Lory State Park, and hike throughout the Foothills. Little did she know, she would eventually find herself high above the treeline climbing rock walls with new friends. Growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, Rose spent most of her childhood outdoors. As a child, Rose often felt that she lived in the shadow of her daredevil older brother. She was seen as a quiet timid girl who tended to live cautiously and stayed away from danger. So as soon as she stepped foot alone in Colorado, she made a pact with herself to yes to every opportunity she got, even if it was out of her comfort zone.
Rose Julian and Hannah Eaton unpack their gear and prepare for their climb at Duncans Ridge in Fort Collins, Colorado on December 1, 2021. f/5 1/200 ISO 100 Photo by Jane Hillhouse Copyright 2021.
So, when her neighbors Sean and Nathan asked her if she wanted to go night climbing at Horsetooth Reservoir she said yes. Little did she know that this experience would introduce her to a whole new way to embrace the outdoors. She fell in love with the rush of adrenaline that consumed her as she fearlessly adventured to new heights. Since this was her first outdoor climb, Rose wasn't phased by the difficulties associated with night climbing. The only source of light during a night climb is a small headlamp, making it difficult to scan for strong hand holds and visualizing the rest of the route. After successfully completing her first outdoor climb in the dark, Rose couldn't wait for what the daylight would bring her.
After numerous climbing trips in the fall of 2019, Rose began to fall in love with climbing as she educated herself about the intricacies of climbing. She worked towards building up a collection of gear so that she would eventually be able to go without her mentors and act as a teacher herself. I have been lucky enough to be one of Rose's students this fall, and have also found myself addicted to the thrill.
Rose Julian, a sport climber, gets ready to climb at Duncans Ridge in Fort Collins, Colorado on October 27, 2021. f/9 ISO 3200 1/5000 Photo by Jane Hillhouse Copyright 2021.
Rose Julian ascends up a 5'8 route at Duncans Ridge in Fort Collins, Colorado on December 1, 2021. f/11 1/400 ISO 640 Photo by Jane Hillhouse Copyright 2021.
The mental battle of climbing is something that really differentiates it from other outdoor activities. The difference between completleting a climbing route versus skiing down a trail is the strategic planning that goes into it. Each movement is planned out slowly and not every attempt is successful. Climbing can be extremely frustrating when you fall and don't have the strength to pull yourself back up. “A lot of people that climb really hard routes often forget that the reason why you are doing it is for fun, and it's really easy to get caught up in grade chasing, but Rose says that “telling yourself that you are climbing because you love it, and not every route is going to be easy”, is a tactic that she uses when her strength is shot.
Rose Julian chalks up her hands before climbing to help keep her hands dry so they don't slip when gripping bare rock at Duncans Ridge in Fort Collins, Colorado on December 1, 2021. f/5 1/800 ISO 800 Photo by Jane Hillhouse Copyright 2021.
Rose Julian ascends up a 5'8 route at Duncans Ridge in Fort Collins, Colorado on December 1, 2021. f/11 1/200 ISO 320 Photo by Jane Hillhouse Copyright 2021.
Rose and other members of the climbing community get a lot of backlash about the dangerousness of the sport. If you aren't practicing the sport safely it can be extremely dangerous, but there are plenty of opportunities to educate yourself on how to stay safe and more often than not, fellow climbers at the crag (the area where the climbing route is) are more than happy to give you advice. Rose advocates for the importance of having a good mentor. Training with a mentor makes climbing safer because being comfortable with them allows you to ask questions even if you think they are dumb.
Rose Julian attaches Hannah Eaton to the anchor contraption so that she is able to repel down from the top of the route at Duncans Ridge in Fort Collins, Colorado on December 1, 2021. f/5 1/1600 ISO 500 Photo by Jane Hillhouse Copyright 2021.
Rose Julian, an outdoor climber hypes herself up before climbing at Duncans Ridge in Fort Collins, Colorado on Wednesday 27, 2021. f/5.6 1/8000 ISO 4000 Photo by Jane Hillhouse Copyright 2021.
Learning how to boulay is one of the first and most important lessons you learn when learning how to climb. Someone else's life is on the line when you boulay them, so understanding how to do it and what to do in an emergency needs to be thoroughly explained. Boulay certifications, anchor building, and learning how to lead climb are all courses that Rose recommends for amateurs learning how to safely climb outdoors.
A climber reaches the top of a route at Duncans Ridge in Fort Collins, Colorado on December 1, 2021. f/5 1/1600 ISO 500
Rose Julian poses for a portrait before she repels down a mountain face while sport climbing at Duncans Ridge in Fort Collins, Colorado on December 1, 2021. f/11 1/200 ISO 800 Photo by Jane Hillhouse Copyright 2021.