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Climber ascends to relieve stress |
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Thursday, 07 February 2008 |
 Senior Ben T. Johnson boulders at the Student Recreation Center Monday. Johnson is the president of the ASU Climbing Team and has been climbing for 13 years. Photo by holt Menzies
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by CORY WATSON
Intern Sports Reporter
Many students at Appalachian State University have fond memories of childhood - family vacations, football in the backyard and evenings spent trading baseball cards with friends of old.
Senior business management major Ben T. Johnson, a longtime climber, has memories of days spent climbing trees in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tenn.
As
a boy, Johnson spent time with his father on numerous hikes - often
climbing on the surrounding trees and rocks more than he was actually
hiking.
Johnson, a member of the Appalachian Club Climbing Team, recalled the first time he climbed in an organized fashion with ropes.
“I started climbing my seventh grade year,” Johnson said. “It was
through a father-son retreat with my school. My father had never
climbed before that, so we got into it at the same time.”
While some students may spend their free time with friends or take time
to separate themselves from their busy schedules for a few moments of
solitude, Johnson’s escape is climbing.
“There’s nothing Ben loves to do more than climb,” Appalachian climbing
team member and senior journalism major Amanda S. Fox said. “It means
everything to him.”
Johnson said climbing sometimes causes a person to change his outlook on life.
“You make a spiritual connection that allows you to find your flow,” Johnson said.
Because climbers are used to being challenged, tasks that appear
difficult are no longer as arduous as they look, Johnson said.
“You’re pushing yourself mentally to the absolute breaking point,” Johnson said. “When you can succeed, it builds confidence.”
Climbing requires the individual to be aware of their physical limitations while maintaining their mental composure.
“It’s scary sometimes, but it’s safe, too,” said Johnson. “You’re not free soloing.”
Free soloing is the act of climbing without the aid of equipment.
Although Johnson is a fan of climbing just about anywhere, he does have
his preferred locations to climb. Texas is home to his favorite.
Hueco Tanks State Historic Site, located 32 miles northeast of El Paso,
Texas, is overflowing with rocks that provide for limitless climbing.
The site has helped to nurture Johnson’s passion for the sport.
Anthony Love, a laboratories technician for the department of
geography, has climbed with Johnson often and understands his love for
climbing.
“He enjoys the rewards of climbing,” Love said. “He takes as many opportunities as he can to climb.”
Johnson encourages students at Appalachian to partake in the experience.
“The climbing wall at the Student Recreation Center is a great
resource,” Johnson said. “There is no experience required to climb the
wall and equipment is provided for you.”
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