The scent of sweat and chalk hit me like a splash of cold water as soon as I stepped foot in the building. Sneakers squeaking on the basketball courts, music blaring from a speaker, and the slamming of weights fills the atmosphere of the gym as I rush towards my destination. I veer left as I walk by the front desk, grabbing my gear: my Black Diamond chalk bag, climbing harness with carabiners, and shoes. Anticipation fills my veins as I step onto the crash pads, already eyeing which bouldering route I want to start with. People start to trickle in as I head over to the middle of the wall to climb my favorite route; the conversations and excitement grow as people see their belay partners, friends, and the rock wall. In between my climbs on the auto-belay, I join in on the engaging conversations about climbing techniques and certain routes between beginners, intermediates, and pros alike. After the conversations conclude, we tie right back into our belay anchors and start our climb up the holds, desperate to be 30 feet in the air and full of adrenaline. Every time I step out of the chamber-like atmosphere that the climbing walls create and into the gymnasium to rehydrate from an intense climb, it feels like transitioning into a different world; a slow-paced world that seems less enticing and invigorating, like the only place I want to be is high in the clouds, looking down on the world in awe and fulfillment. After meeting others who have the same passion for rock climbing as I do and the excitement that accompanies being on the wall, it's safe to say I will spend most of the semester calling this place my second home.
