ETSU’s Shadow of the Mountain Climbing Competition is set to return this week, marking its fifth year of challenging climbers to test their strength, skill and determination on the Basler Center for Physical Activity’s indoor climbing wall.
Hosted by ETSU’s Outdoor Adventure and Campus Recreation, the annual event will feature student competitors as well as climbers from regional clubs and universities.
“This is the fifth one,” said Eric Payne, assistant director of outdoor adventure and campus recreation. “When I first started, we’d had a climbing competition in the past, but COVID had kind of taken that down a little bit. So I said, let’s bring it back and up our game. This year, we’ve expanded it to include outside climbing clubs as well.”
Payne said the competition’s goal has always been to bring together climbers from across the region and create a friendly intercollegiate atmosphere.
“Our goal was always to get other schools involved so we could get some kind of inter-university competition going on,” he said. “This year, we’ve got the best route-setting team we’ve ever had and over $1,000 worth of prizes. We’re stepping up into a higher caliber.”
The climbing wall will feature 18 routes ranging from beginner to advanced levels, with grades from 5.5 to 5.12. The wall will also feature a new central volume, adding variety and challenge.
All belaying during the competition will be handled by ETSU’s trained outdoor adventure staff, who have received additional certification and practice specific to competition safety.
“They’ve been belaying all semester, and they get special training for competition belaying,” Payne said. “We’ll also limit the number of climbers on the wall at once and provide spectator seating in the back.”
Payne expects this year’s turnout to be the largest yet, with 35-40 ETSU students and an additional 10-15 outside climbers.
“Last year we had about 30 students, so we’re hoping to see between 40 and 50 total competitors this time,” he said.
For those new to the sport, Payne said the competition offers a welcoming entry point into the climbing community.
“It’s always intimidating to look at a climbing wall and say, ‘I’ve never done that before,’” he said. “But the great thing about climbing is that it’s not about beating anyone else. It’s about you and the wall — how far you can go this time and how much further you can go next time.”
Payne said climbing provides both physical and mental benefits, fostering teamwork and community among participants.
“Climbing is such a unique sport because it’s individual when you’re on the wall, but it happens in a community setting,” he said. “That community is great for mental wellness and for meeting people who share the same interests.”
Looking ahead, Payne hopes the Shadow of the Mountain competition will continue to grow each year.
“Hopefully every year we get more holds, more route setters and more feedback,” he said. “We’d love to see a full-day event with multiple heats and even more local and regional schools involved. Each year, we’re just climbing a little higher.”
