Humans have always sought to accomplish the impossible, a concept that serves as the core of adventure sports. One of the oldest adventure sports is rock climbing, born out of necessity and transformed into a hobby, career or lifestyle for many. From the first Alpine mountaineers to disciples of Alex Honnold and his historic “Free Solo,” rock climbing has manifested in many people in many unlikely places; it has even trickled down the hills of Appalachia and nestled within the small city of Athens.
Modern rock climbing comes in many variations: some indoor, some outdoor, some with the aid of ropes and safety devices, some without. Those interested in indoor climbing in the Athens area have two main options: the 36-feet-tall rock wall at Ping Recreation Center or Blockhouse Bouldering Gym in The Plains.
The latter began as the notion of a thought in Ted Welser’s head circa 2017. Welser, a professor of sociology at Ohio University, is one of the founders of Climb Athens, a nonprofit group of local climbers with the mission of developing climbing resources and a strong network in the area. …