FINISH HOLD - #4 > April/May 2005 - Climbers of the built environment

Words, Photos, and Layout by Evan Dudley and Adin Mumma

As climbers of the built environment, we have realized that lifting ourselves above the ground by our own will and determination can be done anywhere and not just on the faces of distant mountains. It's an addiction that cannot be taken lightly. It changes our vision, making architecture more engaging and creating a desire to climb everything in sight that is so great, it is practically unhealthy. Thankfully, we can relate to one another about this affliction in cryptic sign language and pantomime while other people stare blankly at our spastic throwing of appendages.

If you happen to describe buildering to a non-climber, it tends to elicit a response that is something like, "Why would you ever want to do that?" Most answers fall a bit short of satisfying the inquisitor. "Fun" is weak. "Exciting" makes it sound as if you are really bored. "Because it completes me," risks having the inquisitor think you are completely nuts. Face it. We challenge the norms of society. Walking down the street our eyes search for the shadow of a crimpy hold or the dust of leftover chalk from a friend. We see it all differently. Architects never saw climbers in their drawings and policemen have a hard time believing that you're there to "just climb." Imitating Spiderman is simply unacceptable to most people. Not to mention that Mom and Dad are never going to support you on this one.

Yet our numbers grow, as if we had a disease infectious upon sight. Now the question is, how far will this go? Is this the golden age of buildering that a few of us will reminisce about in a couple years when the fines are outrageous and the sport is practically annihilated? Is this even a sport?

It will be if we share urban destinations with each other and start to build up the community that other sports enjoy. We must announce to the world that not only do we exist but that we cannot be stopped. People need to know that we are not out to hurt anyone or ruin buildings. There is no reason to worry about the lack of sponsors or support from people outside of ourselves, because it will all come to us as this new urban movement grows beyond anyone's expectations. It is time to dream of what can be done in this fresh terrain. It is time that the outside of the engineering building on campus will be used for exercising the body as the inside is used to exercise the mind. Throw the crash pad on your back, jump on your bike, and hit as many sites as you can. Find the climbs and help establish the new face of climbing. Help others become part of the new urban movement because they cannot resist the seduction of architecture for much longer.

There seem to be a lot of readers with the knack for design. For their efforts, Ropegun will dress Evan and Adin. If you want readers to know what you have to say (or show), send us an email or pics of what climbing means to you. If we print your submission, you can tell your friends you're famous and make them jealous with the cool gear you won.