WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — One small step on this rock climbing wall is one brave step for someone with a slight fear of heights.
It's one of the many problems you can solve at the Wilkes-Barre Climbing Gym, recently brought back to life by climbing enthusiasts Kelsey Van Horn and Chuck Pahler.
"So this gym has been here since 1999. It's kind of one of those hidden gems in Wilkes-Barre," explained Kelsey. "Chuck and I just really, really care about this place and this community. We think it's a really special little niche. Pennsylvania is full of rock climbing history and outdoor rock climbing, and we have a very, very strong community, and Chuck and I both feel extremely passionate about those people the place, and how we can foster more of that community and get people strong for climbing."
"It's a rock climbing gym. Everything in this area is all bouldering. So it's all climbing without a rope. The different colors on the walls are different problems, which are kind of like physical wall puzzles to solve," added Chuck.
The climbing puzzles are marked with tape. The paths can sometimes present a challenge as do the shapes of the holds you use on the walls.
Every few weeks, these holds and the problems are changed up at the gym, keeping it fresh for people coming here regularly.
"We set them up based on what we climbed outside, things we want to solve, new problems, new ideas we had, or sometimes just a cool idea that people can have fun solving, try and climbing," explained Chuck.
When you first check-in, you'll fill out some paperwork and then get a pair of climbing shoes, a harness, and some climbing chalk.
From there you can try out different types of rock climbing from bouldering, auto belays, top-roping, and more.
While you may find strength is helpful to get to the top, that's not all that is challenged here.
"There's also flexibility and balance, and you can use your legs instead of just your arms. And so there's a lot more to it than just like be burly," added Kelsey.
"You have people coming for the first time who just kind of want to have a fun day out. You have people who are truly just invested in rock climbing and need to train and want to get stronger, or people just casually come keep you in shape, or, you know, mental activity," said Chuck.
If you want to check out the sport of rock climbing yourself, you can find out more about this gym by clicking here.