Urban Cliff Climbing Anyone?

There is an entire industry devoted to supporting the activity best known as rock climbing.   Its popularity begin in the 1920’s, but over the past two decades or so the industry has grown significantly through the expansion of indoor rock climbing walls and outdoor training facilities at amazement parks, sporting stores, community parks, malls and schools.   People are drawn to this sport due to the natural appeal of climbing, being outdoors and its “coolness.” 

It continues to gain considerable interest by individuals, businesses, schools, agencies and community base organizations as a way to promote health, wellness and teamwork.   To some, it is a sport and there is a feeling of adventure and skill to be a rock climber.  If you are afraid of heights or have a fear of falling, this is not the sport for you.  It began as a cottage industry, but now it supports a growing number of people who call themselves professionals in the field and continues to be enjoyed by amateurs and novices, who just want to have fun.     

Getting A Grip

Rock climbing is both a physically and mentally demanding sport and activity. It will test a climber’s strength, endurance, agility and balance along with mental control and critical thinking.  It undoubtedly requires a lot of courage, concentration and the common belief that obstacles and challenges can be overcome and reaching high goals are possible.  It also can be a dangerous sport as one decides to go to higher heights and take more risks.

Rock climbing can be used for various reasons, as competition, as training and more importantly as a way to have fun. In some rocking climbing adventures, people work in teams, but by far, most rock climbing is done as an individual activity.  Regardless of the level or skill, one objective of rock climbing is completing; against others, time or with oneself.  There is something to prove, a goal to achieve and a milestone to cross.  Of course, each rock climbing experience brings its own set of unique challenges, a particular route to take, or perhaps increased difficulty.  Serious rock climbing also requires knowledge of proper climbing techniques, clothing, conditioning and how to use specialized climbing equipment. Rock climbing has its own language, motions, movements, and footing and hand techniques.

Urban Cliffs

A lot can be learned by rock climbing and the rock climbing industry when applied to the challenges facing those living in urban America.   Urban America needs to regain its “social and economic” footing in these times of complex local, regional and national discourses.  There are certainly an endless number of cliffs to climb, including those in education, poverty, health care, jobs, employment training, reentry, crime, unemployment, affordable housing, drugs, blight, guns and gangs, to just name a few.  

Just pick any glaring issue and begin to undertake the sure complexity of the matters at stake.  It will not take long to feel the demanding pressure at each ascending step, hanging at times by your finger tips, with sweating palms and trembling knees and limited resources.  At each new height, the gravity of additional responsibility, increased accountability, resentments to the idea and doubts creep in.  With each and every new level achieved there will be equally a desire to stop, question why, or just go home.  At each turn, you learn something new about people, the human condition and yourself.   Even though you may be trained and equipped to climb, there is nothing that can replace the real sights, sounds, steps and edges of the journey.  

When asked “Why did you want to climb Mount Everest?” George Mallory, the famous explorer responded “Because it’s there.”  Urban America is in need of cliff climbers? … Any questions before we go? and "O...Yes, don't look down."