Ann-Marie Grice
Submitted Article
On Sept. 14 and 15, the Pocatello Pump, the nation’s oldest and most successful rock climbing competition will be celebrating its 32nd year. This unique competition takes place on the basalt cliffs of Pocatello’s Ross Park.
What’s “unique” about it you might ask? Well, for one thing, Pocatello is one of the very few cities, if not the only city in the US that has a natural rock wall where a climbing competition such as the Pump can be held. Also unique to the Pocatello Pump is that while it draws a number of experienced, expert rock climbers, it also welcomes newcomers to the vertical world of rock climbing. There are categories for almost every skill level and age group. In fact, there is even a category for physically challenged climbers, as well as a non-competitive category where the prizes are awarded by the luck of the draw.
The reason the Pocatello Pump rock climbing competition has been so successful and long-lived is probably due to its emphasis on fun, rather than on competition. It’s been said that the Pump is more like a two day climbing spree than a contest. Sure, the climbers climb like crazy, getting to the top of the rock walls as quickly as possible. They accumulate points by climbing the rock walls of Ross Park by as many different routes as possible during their allotted times. But they also encourage one another, give hints, and point out holds. It’s really not out of the ordinary to hear a climber on one route shout a hint to a so called “competitor” on a different route. Of course there’s a lot of good-natured ribbing going on too. But it’s all given and received in fun.
Every climber pre-registered for the Pump (by Sept. 6) will be awarded a Pocatello Pump T-shirt. And as in the past the event serves as a fundraiser for the Access Fund, and the Terry Kranning Climbers Scholarship Fund. The Access Fund is very active in addressing and working on climbing access issue both in the US and abroad. The scholarship awards two scholarships annually to ISU student climbers.
So come and join us for one of the most exciting and fun competitions you’ve ever been a part of. Even if you don’t climb, the Pocatello Pump rock climbing competition is nothing short of awesome to watch. Referring to the graceful movements of the climbers as they scale the rock walls, one climber I know described it as watching “ballet on the rocks.” I couldn’t agree more.
For pre-registration and more information please, contact the ISU Outdoor Adventure Center office at (208) 282-3912. Pre-registration is available online by going to www.isu.edu/outdoor/pump.shtml. Come reach new heights and a new level of fun.
