Union College Hosts Bouldering Cave Competition: Join to Win Prizes!

Have you used the bouldering cave this semester? If not, start now! Coming up on April 1st (no this is not an April Fool’s joke) a bouldering competition will be held down at the bouldering cave in the atrium of the Don Love building. So how do you get started? There will be three opportunities to win prizes (valued at over $100): an easy route, an intermediate route and a harder route. Each participant will only be able to win one prize; the more difficult the route the higher value the prize will be, so pick the highest difficulty route you can complete. 

So how is the bouldering cave accessed? Well, it is pretty simple. After you sign a release form and complete a brief, less than five minute, orientation, your ID card will work to enter the bouldering cave any time the atrium is open. Complete the form by coming to the bouldering cave Monday through Thursday, 6-10 p.m. A staff member, myself, Logan, Adam, Christianna or Jonathan will be there to help you. 

All you need to do is to tell the staff member that it is your first time at the cave and we will get you a release form. You will need to know your address and be 19 years old or older (those under 19 will need a parent or guardian to sign for them). Then the staff member will give you a tour of the bouldering cave, show you where the Vs that mark the start of the routes are and where the Xs are that mark the finish. Each route is color coded so it is easy to identify which rocks are part of the route. 

Next, the staff member will demonstrate how to fall safely and will have you demonstrate a safe fall. Then in a few days, your ID card will be activated to open the bouldering cave anytime. As far as routes to start working on for the competition, some good ones would be First Time, Jacob’s Ladder, and Turtles and Gecko. The staff are there to help with bouldering tips as needed. Have fun preparing for this competition and watch for more details around campus!

Jade Covel is a senior

religion major from

Topeka, Kan.