University students climbed to new heights physically and mentally this weekend.
University Recreation challenged students with a rock climbing competition, the Bayou Bouldering Bash, Saturday at the UREC Student Recreation Center climbing wall.
Nearly 35 climbers were divided by gender and sorted into three groups — beginner, intermediate and advanced — to compete against one another in the event, according to Erin Madara, kinesiology senior and event organizer.
Participants competed in a style known as bouldering, a form of climbing that does not involve the use of belaying ropes, Madara said. Extra “crash pads” were placed on the ground and judges were on hand to spot and ensure the climbers’ safety.
Madara said the climbers competed by trying to successfully scale as many routes as possible within a two-hour time limit. Each route was assigned a point value and labeled with colored tape to denote the route’s difficulty and mark which holds a competitor could use to advance up the wall. Ten percent of the route’s point value was deducted each time a climber fell.
Madara said five judges monitored climbers and recorded the participants’ point totals on their score cards. First- and second-place winners in each competition category were awarded gift cards that could be used to buy rock-climbing gear like chalk or shoes.
“Strategy is involved in this event, as climbers should aim to climb to their ability,” Madara said.
She said the competition is difficult because too many falls on a tough route will cost competitors points, but if they don’t attempt enough challenging routes, they won’t make enough points to contend for the win.
Psychology sophomore Mark Gibson compared the competition to a puzzle.
“It’s a mental game. You have to be figuring out how much to challenge yourself,” Gibson said.
Madara said Saturday was the first time the event had been held since 2007. She revived the event as part of her project for an internship she is currently completing with Adventure Education at the University.
“I wanted to get in on the expanding climbing scene here at LSU,” Madara said.
She said in her time working at the rock wall she has noticed an increased number of climbers using it.
“We’ve had to turn people away at times because we were over capacity,” Madara said.
Chris Bullard, Adventure Education coordinator, said the event was especially enticing to avid climbers who got to try out a completely new set of routes.
Despite the event’s daunting challenges, the atmosphere remained upbeat and positive. A DJ was positioned atop the climbing wall to turn out tunes throughout the event.
Gibson said he enjoys climbing because of its versatile benefits.
“It’s a really good workout, and it’s also a good way to release stress,” Gibson said.
He also likes that climbing can be done alone or with friends. Gibson said the climbing community is unique and he appreciates its light-hearted nature.
“Rock climbing is lots of fun, and I find that, in general, climbers are good people,” said Kate Kearney, mathematics post-doctorate student and women’s intermediate climber.
Kearney said she started rock climbing years ago for a physical education class and has been enjoying the activity ever since.
“There’s no necessary equipment or fancy rules,” Kearney said. “It’s just you and the rock.”
The UREC SRC rock climbing gym is open Monday through Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m., Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 
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Contact Josh Naquin at [email protected]