Hillsdalian rock climbers have new routes but fewer opportunities to climb this year, after Hillsdale College cut the climbing wall hours for a second year in a row.
Since some times attracted fewer climbers than others, the college cut an hour from the schedule and added three new routes to keep climbing interesting, said Brad Kocher, director of recreational sports and athletic facilities. The climbing wall, located in the Roche Sports Complex, is now open Monday to Thursday from 7-9 p.m., Friday from 7-10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.
“Since the wall opened a little over two years ago, it has been popular,” Kocher said. “There are times when it is very busy but also times where it is very quiet.”
When the wall opened for the 2014-2015 academic year, hours were 9-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m. Last year, Kocher cut the hours to 7-10 p.m.
Kocher said the college cut hours because it was difficult to find students able to staff the wall. But Climbing Instructor senior Sarah Nelson said she fears fewer people are choosing to come during the new hours.
Nelson’s sister — Emily, also a senior and certified climbing instructor — said, however, excellence in climbing can be achieved without extensive experience.
“Probably one of the best climbers here started only a year ago,” she said. “He just came every day and climbed for maybe two or three hours.”
Fresh climbing routes also help keep climbers of all levels engaged, Emily said. The climbing instructors unscrew rocks and find new places for them on the walls. There are beginner, moderate, and challenging routes.
Over the summer, the Nelson sisters built three new routes and said they hope the staff will create more within the next couple weeks.
“I think the wall is a great place to come and meet new people,” Kocher said. “It’s a great place to hang out with friends and build relationships with the staff who have, for the most part, worked at the wall since it opened.”
