Fitness Trends on Campus: Climbing

The Climbing Club at Seattle Central, led by Milo, offers students an opportunity to engage in the world of climbing. The club meets weekly at the Seattle Bouldering Project for collective climbing sessions. Through this, the club is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for climbers of all skill levels.

The club brings together many people who want to exercise in a fun way. Milo, the club’s officer, explains that they focus on inclusivity, hoping that more diverse faces and conversations can make climbing sessions even more enjoyable. 

Currently, they are exclusively doing indoor bouldering at the Seattle Bouldering Project, a popular location next to the Goodwill on Rainier Avenue, and there’s ample space for parking—or you can commute with the team. Bouldering is 10 to 20-feet tall walls, where every fall is a ground fall, but it’s extremely safe as it’s not that high.

Safety is undoubtedly a concern with new boulders. Milo addresses this concern: “I think a lot of people tend to think that indoor bouldering is generally more dangerous than indoor climbing, specifically because you are hitting the ground. However, there are significantly fewer things that can go wrong with bouldering, less complexity, and fewer mistakes to be made. As you enter a gym for the first time, an employee will tell you how to fall safely, which means trying to land on your back, not on your arms, not on your legs, or on your head, and it’ll take a lot of the momentum.”

They currently have a big group chat, which people can join to figure out times to go. It could be an open conversation about climbing techniques and how to get better, fall safe, stay safe, and all kinds of things, including the ethics of climbing in such a way that preserves natural spaces. “I think the safest way to get into climbing is to do it with people that have climbed before. I truly believe that most people will be able to complete some climbing routes without any prior experience.”

We often don’t believe how strong we are; Milo has a story that would help restore some faith in our bodies’ strength and willpower. “I went on a week-long bouldering trip to Squamish, British Columbia, last summer, where right beforehand I had gotten a small injury on my finger, which definitely hindered my climbing, but regardless of that, I was still able to climb some boulders that were significantly harder than I thought. And I think a lot of people, not just in climbing, are much more capable and a lot stronger than they think.” Milo concludes.

The Climbing Club, in conclusion, is an exciting way for students to explore the thrill of the activity with a supportive and experienced community. As Milo shares, climbing is more than mere physical activity, offering moments of personal growth, resilience, and self-discovery. For those interested in joining the Climbing Club or exploring other opportunities, stop by the Student Leadership Building, or check out their All Clubs page.