College Avenue Crossings
Wearing a harness and armed with carabiners, Steven Dettwiler, sophomore mechanical engineering major, is ready to climb. These oblong metal rings are a staple tool of every rock climber.
In November, the “Rockclimbing I” class, taught by assistant professor of health and physical education Marvin Denny, took a field trip to the Frenchman Coulee climbing area near George, WA. The area offers an extensive collection of climbs on columnar volcanic basalt rock. A dry, desert climate and abundant sunshine make it a popular practice area with climbers from around the Northwest and British Columbia.
Two rock climbing classes are offered at the college and fill up quickly during registration each quarter. An indoor climbing wall at the gym is crowded nearly every evening with students taking a break from their studying.