December 16, 2003

State-Of-The-Art Climbing Gym Opens Jan. 16 At Boise State's REC

CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO SEE A LARGER VIEW                    Photo Credits: Jared Ray. DSC01714.jpg: Rich Gardunia flashes the first lead climb set in the new Boise State climbing gym - DSC01710.jpg: Rich Gardunia tests the new lead terrain at the Boise State climbing gym. - DSC01705.jpg; 01704.jpg; 01687.jpg: Suzanne Lee smoothly climbs the new steep walls  of the Boise State climbing gym. The community is invited to the unveiling of a new climbing gym in the Boise State University student recreation center (The REC). The new facility offers 7,000 square feet of climbable surface, making it one of the largest collegiate climbing gyms in the United States. Festivities kick off at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16. The REC is located on University Drive just south of the Student Union. A ribbon cutting will be held at 5:30 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by a slide show by world-renowned local climber Fred Beckey. Beckey will take viewers on a fantastic visual odyssey that encompasses more than five decades of climbing exploits and adventures. The open house and slide show are free. On Saturday, Jan. 17, The REC will host the annual Buck Off Indoor Climbing Competition. This all-day climbing competition includes both boulder and vertical top rope routes and lead routes; competitors will be judged on speed and technique, with categories for beginning, intermediate and advanced climbers. Competitors will receive a T-shirt and food and will be eligible to win raffle prizes. Cost for the climbing competition is $20 with advance registration (before 5 p.m. Jan. 16) or $25 at the door. To register, stop by The REC or call 426-1131. Following the open house and climbing competition, the climbing gym will be open only to REC members and their guests. REC memberships are available for students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the Boise State Alumni Association. The Alumni Association is open to anyone; for information on joining, call 426-1698. For a virtual tour of the new climbing gym, visit http://www.boisestate.edu/recreation/outdoor/ClimbingWall2.avi. -30- Contact Geoff Harrison Outdoor Programs 208 426-2628 Media Contact Kathleen Craven communications and marketing 208 426-3275