Rock and Rumble climbing competition Feb. 14, 2011. Photo by Shannon Christy.

The climbing club at Western Carolina University is a place for teamwork, support and the opportunity for training and competition within an individual sport.

And on Saturday, Feb. 18, you can see a demonstration of all of that during the 1oth Annual Rock and Rumble Bouldering Competition in the Campus Recreation Center.

The director of Outdoor Programs at WCU, Jeremiah Haas, said that over 70 climbers are already signed up for the competition. This is an increase from the 50 who participated last year. Beside WCU, climbers from Brevard College, College of Charleston, Appalachian State University, Winthrop University, Warren Wilson College, North Carolina State University and Auburn University will participate.

There will be two heats of competition. Registration for the first heat is at 9 a.m. and registration for the second heat begins at 12:30 p.m. Competition starts at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Participants will self-select their competition level at novice, intermediate or open. They will climb for two and a half hours and keep track of their top five scores for bouldering problems. The scores are given based on how many tries and how long it takes one to complete a route.

Awards will be given to the top male and female in each level. Climber, who are currently enrolled at a college or university, are able to register the day of the competition or through this link. You do not have to be a member of a team.

Al Smith, climbing wall manager, is looking forward to the competition. The route setters have put in a lot of effort and energy to make great routes or problems for the wall. Just to clarify – a problem is what climbers call the series of holds on the wall that make up a route.

“I think we will have a full house. We’re expecting a great turnout and a fun day,” Smith said.

Smith said last year was better than the year before and they are hoping this year will be better than last year.

Climbing club secretary Kristen Eskridge said, “I’m excited because we’ll get all new routes on the wall. I’m looking forward to the competition. There are some really good climbers that are coming and so it will be cool to watch them climb. You meet a lot of new people, and it’s just a cool atmosphere.”

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WCU’s 9th annual Rock and Rumble Bouldering Competition

Let’s get ready to Rock and Rumble