Look up. Just a few feet away lies a 45-foot wall that seems a mile high. With hands covered in chalk and a harness around the waist, it’s time to climb. Welcome to Hoosier Heights, the second biggest rock climbing gym in the country, and where the word “boulder” has a completely different meaning than it does on DePauw University's campus.
Climbers scale the walls at Hoover Heights.
AUSTIN CANDOR / THE DEPAUW
In the past few years, Hoosier Heights has served as the home of the DePauw rock climbing club, which tries to meet twice a month.
“It’s just really relaxing, and it’s nice to get off campus,” said junior Paige Daniels, who started rock-climbing a year ago. “It’s…challenging, and it’s nice to not have to think about a whole lot of stuff. You can just…focus on the climb.”
Junior Jacob Hebbe agreed.
“I think for me, it’s a way of meditation,” said Hebbe. “When you’re on the wall, you’re just there, and you’re not thinking about anything else. You’re just climbing.”
The facility offers more than 40 top rope lines and four different bouldering areas, along with a fitness area that includes ellipticals, treadmills, free weights and other fitness stations.
Jacob Hebbe (left) scrambles up a rock climbing wall.
Both are wearing special climbing shoes
designed to grip the artificial rocks.
AUSTIN CANDOR / THE DEPAUW
While it may be off and running this semester, the club ran into financial problems this past fall. Despite receiving more funding than the previous semester, the club ran out of money. This was due to an increase in membership, something senior Issac Seppel loves to see.
“It’s engaging to watch new people learn how to climb,” said Seppel, who served as the club’s leader until midway through his junior year. “It’s the sort of sport that people come together learning.”
With Greek life and athletics back on campus, the club gives students a new alternative for how to spend Friday nights.
“If you’re interested in just trying something new, this is… the best,” said Seppel. “It’s one of the many clubs at DePauw that really has something unique to offer.”
But rock climbing is much more than just a fun activity in the eyes of many of the club’s members.
“It’s not only a mental challenge, but a physical challenge. It’s a total body workout, which is nice too,” said junior Aaron Zell, who is currently in charge of the rock climbing club. “The sense of accomplishment you get once you get another route that you didn’t think you could get before… it’s nice.”
Hebbe especially noticed the mental challenges.
“If we want to go into the [symbolism] of it, it’s kind of… overcoming your obstacles,” said Hebbe. “I think rock-climbing… is a way to do that physically, and kind of get over your fears.”
Zell gives even more encouragement to those on the fence about rock climbing.
“Try it once,” said Zell. “If you have a fear of it, there’s no harm in trying it… It’s like a personal growth kind of thing, it’s a great workout [and] a great date idea.”
The rock-climbing club closes out the night by stopping at Chipotle on the way back to Greencastle.
With its closet location in Carmel, Hoosier Heights is close to an hour drive from campus. For more information, contact Zell, Seppel or Hebbe.