ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 20, 1997 TAG: 9702210014
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ANDREA GIBSON STAFF WRITER
If you're interested in getting a taste of what it's like to scale the face of a mountain - but without the risk - indoor climbing may be for you.
Two facilities in the Roanoke Valley offer indoor climbing: Rocwood Indoor Climbing Facility through Roanoke City Parks and Recreation, and CMT Sporting Goods in Roanoke.
``Whether you're a novice or have been climbing for 15 years, you can come in the door and we can get you set right up,'' said Nick Harris, Rocwood coordinator. ``In here, you don't have to worry about rock fall or the weather or anchors.''
Climbers are fitted into a harness, which is attached to ropes. The ropes are woven through ceiling supports and controlled by another person, called a belayer, who is anchored to the floor. The belayer protects the climber by gradually letting out rope controlled with a friction device. If the climber falls, the belayer locks the device.
``You can feel what it's like to be 20 feet up and know there is a rope there to help you but the rope didn't get you there,'' Harris said. ``There's a great feeling of satisfaction and self-confidence. You're not only working your body, but you also have to think. That's how I got hooked.''
Rocwood's February hours are Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 6-10 p.m. Beginning in March, the wall will be open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 6-10 p.m., and on Saturday, hours yet to be determined. The cost for a novice climber is $5, which involves six to 10 climbs. Equipment is provided by Parks and Recreation, and novices are belayed by a staff member.
Climbers can also take a competency test to become certified, which allows them to use their own equipment and pay just $4 per night or $35 for 10 sessions. Harness rental is an additional $1 per night.
Rocwood offers introductory classes each month for youth and adults. Groups of five to 20 can also reserve the wall for parties where certified instructors teach basic rock-climbing, equipment orientation and safety. Prices start at $70 for two hours.
For more information on Rocwood, call Harris at 853-6807.
``Frankenstein's Forehead,'' the climbing wall at CMT, is more narrow than Rocwood, but 23 feet tall. The construction is prefabricated panels that look and feel more like a rock surface, but the routes can still be changed.
The wall is open for climbing Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 4-8:45 p.m. Novices may use CMT equipment and are belayed by a staff member. The cost is $6 for 15 minutes, about three climbs. Certified climbers can bring their own equipment and belayers and climb for 30 minutes for $1.
``We get mostly novice climbers that come in, and probably 80 percent of those are kids,'' said Jason Rider, CMT's wall coordinator. ``A lot of times one kid will challenge another to see who can make it to the top.
``The kids - as soon as they see it, they want to climb it. They love it.''
Groups of five to 12 can reserve the wall for parties at least one week in advance. The cost is $5 per person per hour. CMT also offers climbing classes every third Saturday of the month. For more information, call Rider at 343-5533, ext. 165.
LENGTH: Medium: 60 linesby CNB