Southern Utah University Outdoors hosted its annual end-of-spring semester bouldering competition this Saturday, March 29, in the PE building. The event brought the best climbers from SUU and the Cedar City community to compete in a community environment.
The competitors
45 registered climbers took on various challenging bouldering routes at this year’s event. These routes tested their strength, endurance and technique, requiring the participants to bring their best. Participants ranged in skill levels from beginner climbers looking to have fun to seasoned competitors looking for the podium.
“It’s a lot of fun, great group of people, everybody supporting everybody at the end of the day, hyping up everybody on the climbs and just hanging out,” said Milo Bryan, one of the competitors. “I have done this event since I was 14 years old, and I have done it almost every year.”
Climbing community
This event is a favorite for the community, allowing everyone to experience the sport of bouldering. Some competitors have done it for years, while others tried it for the first time. Everyone is encouraged to join and have a good time.
“It is really to just bring the climbing community together after people have been working hard all year training, but it is mostly a community and networking event,” said Nicole Gramstad, one of the event coordinators who helped with the event marketing.
Nicole also wanted to thank the event sponsors, such as Petzel, Black Diamond and Cedar Sports, as this event wouldn’t have been possible without them. The sponsors helped with many areas of the event, most notably the prizes, such as mats, ropes, chalk bags and more.
Another climber, Cole Hockema, has been coming to this event for the last four years.
“It’s one of my favorite competitions that I go to every year,” Cole emphasized. “Everyone does an amazing job running it, they get the best prizes I’ve ever seen, and the setters kill it every year.”
While SUU’s rock wall doesn’t compare to the commercial gyms, they always impress him with the routes they have.
The bouldering competition was filled with laughter and excitement, bringing together climbers of all levels to enjoy the sport they love.
Author and Photographer: Gannon Lovisa
Editor: Chevy Blackburn
outdoors@suunews.net
