“The Best Thing You Can Do is Simply Start”: Student Climbers Share Their Experiences

Junior Zoe Nelsen climbing at a gym.  Photo Credits: Zoe Nelsen.

Andrew Larsen, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn

Throughout Watauga High School, many students engage in sports by joining school teams or local clubs. A large number of students participate in solo sports, one of the largest being climbing. Students flock to local indoor climbing centers such as Center 45 and the Appalachian State SRC, and climb outdoors at various locations on the Parkway and the Greenway. While many climb as a hobby, a few students at the high school do it competitively. Zoe Nelsen, 11, has been climbing for ten years now. 

“My parents always tried to get me to climb,” said Nelsen, “but it never really stuck until I did a summer camp at Center 45. From there, I got put onto a comp team because one of the coaches saw how invested I was.”

Nelsen has been all across the country, visiting Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, and many other states to compete. These experiences have been influential for her, facilitating her growth as a climber and allowing her to have fun while she does it.

“I’ve gotten to see parts of the country I otherwise wouldn’t have, as well as made many friends from all over the place,” said Nelsen. “I am a five time national championship competitor, and to be able to train at such a high level for many years, it takes up a lot of my time, so making friends through competitions gives me the connection/team that I don’t have here.”

Nelsen encourages people interested in the sport to go to one of the local climbing gyms, or if they are interested in outdoor climbing to go on a group trip in order to gain the experience with others. Currently, her goals are to continue competing at a high level and ultimately win at nationals. 

Qynn Klamborowski, 9, has been climbing for 12 years, and, like Nelsen, was introduced to the sport through her family. However, she was eager to continue climbing. 

“I have been fortunate to climb in a lot of different places,” said Klamborowski, “but some of my favorites were Colorado, Maine, and Wyoming. All provided many different techniques and styles of climbing. In Maine, we had to set our own anchors to repel off of because we were on a cliffside overlooking the ocean. Feeling the ocean breeze on your back as you all climbed up the rock was an amazing feeling.”

As a result of her passion and effort in the sport, Klamborowski has taught others how to climb and introduced them to the sport, which she felt was “very rewarding.” In the future, she hopes to achieve the personal goals that she continues to set for herself, as well as win at some of the competitions she participates in. 

For people interested (or uninterested) in climbing, it can appear daunting. Many people have fears of heights and falling, which can make it difficult to enter a sport all about reaching high altitudes. Nelsen believes that, to start, newcomers to the sport must not be afraid to try and fail. 

“Find the fun in falling and getting on climbs that look too hard for you,” said Nelsen. “Also, find friends, because having a community is one of the greatest things that climbing has given me. Hours, weeks, and years of practice have gotten me to where I am now. I do my workout regardless of if I truly want to that day. This dedication has definitely improved my skills. Anyone interested in climbing should go to a climbing gym and just get on anything and everything.” 

Center 45 is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and from 3 to 9 p.m. on Monday. General day passes are $18 for one day, and a monthly membership is around $70, so it is an affordable option for people starting out. Klamborowski has a similar outlook to Nelsen, and believes that no matter your skill level, the thing to do is to just get out and do it.

“The best thing you can do is climb,” said Klamborowski. “No matter the grade, if it’s inside a gym or not, just start climbing. Be confident and proud in your abilities and don’t worry about what others may think. Continue to push yourself no matter what because the more you work at it the better and stronger you will become.”