Climbers Josiah Mace and Allison Rooney (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

People come to the Adirondacks for many reasons, and a big one is participating in recreational activities, as do many who live here. A challenge has always been the weather, which can disrupt even the best-laid plans. Over the past several years, the state Olympic Regional Development Authority has introduced a weatherproof sport: bouldering and climbing on its indoor wall at Mount Van Hoevenberg’s Mountain Pass Lodge.

The lodge was established primarily to support the sliding sports of bobsled, luge and skeleton, as well as biathlon and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and hiking up Mount Van Hoevenberg, and, in the near future, Cascade and Porter mountains. Since then, they added three more activities: the Cliffside Coaster, mountain biking and the climbing wall.

From the beginning, ORDA sought ways of making Mount Van Hoevenberg a year-round complex, and reducing the impact of climate change on its prime winter sport offerings through creating an indoor practice start track for bobsled and luge, installing snowmaking on a portion of the biathlon and cross-country ski trails, and upgrading the refrigeration system and coverage of the sliding track, which is ongoing. With the installation of the indoor climbing walls, they added a weatherproof, year-round activity.

The indoor Hi Notch Indoor Climbing facility offers 1,500 feet of climbing space, adjustable to suit all levels of interest and ability. The facility includes a 30-foot top-rope wall with three TruBlue auto-belays, multiple lead routes, a full array of gear and harnesses, climbing instructors and daytime and evening access. An increasing number of area youth have been taking up after-school climbing, available to youth as young as three years old.

Climbing is a great way to get and stay fit, as was in abundance on Saturday, Nov.16, at the venue’s fourth Hi Notch Fall Bouldering Competition. Bouldering and climbing walls, angled slabs, overhangs, and a wide array of holds strategically placed as a means of offering bouldering/climbing routes with differing levels of difficulty to climb or move sideways across. Colored holds identify the routes. There is no correct route; climbers have to decide what might work for them, often making spur-of-the-moment alternate choices.

Instructor Bech Mills and climbing wall supervisor Jake Handerhan (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

Event organizer Catherine “Cat” Kluchinski, a member of Mount Van Hoevenberg’s Experience Staff, took up indoor climbing at the venue about three and a half years ago.

“The wall had been installed just a couple of months before,” said Kluchinski. “Jake Handerhan, climbing wall supervisor and instructor, taught me how to boulder, top rope, set, and climb. The sport has a robust community — climbing is a great social activity, and it’s mentally as well as physically challenging. Climbing a wall or bouldering is all about problem-solving: how can you get to the top, and everyone can do it differently. No route is right or wrong; it depends on your climbing style, body type and height. Climbing is a fun mental and physical challenge.”

The wall is not static; all the climbing holds are movable and come in a wide array of shapes. Talc is used to keep one’s fingers dry, as success depends on firm hand and foot holds. During Saturday’s competition, three bouldering walls were in play, each featuring multiple roots, allowing many people to be climbing simultaneously.

“I have been climbing for five or six years,” said John Papin, a member of ORDA’s experience staff who helped set the course. “I started climbing inside, and, about three years ago, I started climbing outside as well. I love climbing outdoors. Working here allows me to climb a lot inside, and I love climbing, whether inside or outside. I think it’s a good way to move my body; it’s great exercise, and the climbing community, particularly in this region, is filled with incredible people. Climbing is a great way to meet people and make friends.”

Lead instructor Jake Handerhan feels that indoor bouldering is a great spectator sport because viewers can see the entire climb, which can include the bigger, flashier moves that are fun to watch. He noted that many such moves are much more complicated than they look. Such displays were very much part of the competition, which at times featured climbers hanging by their fingers or upside down while trying to get around a bulge.

Climber Trent Dalton (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

Beck Mills said that each route is rated for its flash and ascent value (difficulty). If a climber covers the route in one go, that’s a flash value; if it takes the climber several tries, eventually succeeding, that has a lower value, coupled with a ascent difficulty scale of 0 to V9.

“This is my fourth competition here,” said Josiah Mace of Albany. “I like the small feel of this venue. We brought seven or eight of us up here today.”

Allison Rooney of Keene, who has been climbing for 18 years, said that she likes climbing because it helps keep her in shape, and it doesn’t feel like exercise, as it’s so much fun.

“Climbing has become a huge part of my life,” said Rooney. “My exercise and travel revolve around climbing; it’s a passion that’s taken over my whole life. The best part about the competitions is the camaraderie, people just having fun and supporting one another. It’s competitive in a fun way.”

Competitor Michael Hunt loved the variety of climbs and styles, the different ways the climbers tackled the routes, and how they solved similar routes by various means. Overall, he felt the competition was very well organized and appreciated the wide variety of routes and difficulties. Hunt said it had a little bit of everything.

Instructor John Papin and event organizer Catherine Kluchinski (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

“I think ORDA’s climbing and bouldering wall addresses two important aspects,” said Jarrod Blundy of the Adirondack Climbers Coalition. “First, it provides people a place to train, and train when the outside conditions are not suitable, and stay in shape, and second, it fosters community, it’s a great place to meet people, find climbing partners, and make new friends.”

People wishing to learn how to indoor climb, climb, or participate in competitions can online search Hi Notch Indoor Climbing or access the Mount Van Hoevenberg website. Participants have ranged in age from 3 to 80.

(Naj Wikoff lives in Keene Valley and has been writing his column for the Lake Placid News since 2005.)