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Buck Off rock climbing competition draws diversity
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Chalk, sweat and tears covered the competitors of the 17th annual Boise State Buck Off Climbing Competition. The contest was put on by the Outdoor Program and the Boise Climbers Alliance and held at the Recreation Center’s climbing gym Saturday.
More than 50 competitors, from ages 9 to mid 40s, showed off their skills from dynos to flagging, and heel hooks to underhooks. The participants competed in four levels: junior, beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Because the competition was held in the Boise State climbing gym, very little was needed from the competitors. All they had to bring were the harnesses, some chalk and sheer determination. The gym was closed for three days while new routes were set especially for the contest.
“The new routes were great!” BSU climber Tony Nolen said. “It was cool to be able to be the first people to climb the first routes.”
The advanced climbing competition came down to an intense climb-off. The climbers were allowed to pick their own theme music to climb to as they attempted to scale a new route that no one else in the contest had experienced. Neither climber topped out, so it came down to who reached the highest hold.
“It was exciting to watch because everyone was gathered around,” Nolen said. “There was a lot of positive energy with the spirit of competition.”
One of the main attractions to the event were the prizes given away at the end of the competition. Each participant was entered into a raffle held at the end of the day. Depending on their placing, they had a chance to get extra tickets entered in the drawing. Prizes included T-shirts, chalk bags, backpacks and shoes.
“It was definitely an added bonus to be able to win extra climbing gear on top of the fun of climbing itself,” Nolen said. “It was a good opportunity."
SILVER HENRY
Arbiter Journalist
