By Carley Bennecke |Staff Writer|
The Mile High Challenge is an opportunity to experience self-growth, discovery and a fun workout.
It is an opportunity for members of the Student Recreation and Fitness Center (Rec Center) to accomplish the goal of climbing the height of a mile, or 5,280 feet.
The climbing wall in the Rec Center is 34 feet tall. A participant would have to climb to the top 155 times to complete the challenge.The climb is very a very steep and difficult one to make.
If 155 climbs sounds too challenging, the Rec Center offers to split the climbs in half with a friend.
The Mile High Challenge is now available for sign-ups at the membership desk in the Rec Center. You must be a member of the Rec Center to sign up and the cost of this event is $10.
Upon completing the challenge, participants will receive a free t-shirt and be entered to win prizes.
The Mile High Challenge has taken place for over four years and is only available once a year during the winter quarter.
This event ends on March 14, then students will be able to see if they have reached the top, or if they have to try again next year.
Graduate student David Dysart has completed the Mile High Challenge for the past three winter quarters.
“This will be my fourth year doing, and hopefully completing, the Mile High Challenge,” said Dysart.
“It’s a great way to kick off every year; it’s such a holistic experience”, contined Dysart.
Dysart asserted the journey is holistic because of three aspects: personal, social, and fitness.
Dysart said “it’s a great challenge to focus on all quarter- a great break from the stresses of life and school.”
Michael Norberto, former climbing wall supervisor, agrees the Mile High Challenge dares participants to grow as individuals.
“It’s rewarding, fun, hard, but overall goal-setting and achieving,” said Norberto.
“It’s also a social phenomenon,” said Dysart, about his second viewpoint of the challenge.
The Mile High Challenge can be completed alone, but Dysart believes a participant is destined to meet new people and make friends.
“The nice thing about the climbing wall is that it’s a community, and even when you go in by yourself, you are bound to climb with friends, including the incredible climbing wall staff,” said Dysart.
Dysart believes the Mile High Challange is a way to have fun while getting a workout for body and soul.
“After ten weeks and 155 climbs, you’re just mentally sharper. You are constantly solving the puzzle that is climbing and you gain a certain level of mastery of the sport”, said Dysart.
Dysart was so inspired by the uplifting Mile High Challenge that he took the event to a whole other level.
Last year, he wrote a Mile High Diaries blog and recorded his thoughts and feelings everyday he took on the challenge.
He wrote about the challenges he faced, “Injury has plagued me in my sport, and every dead climb is nothing more than a cul-de-sac, damning my feet and forcing me to find another route up that 34-foot stint.”
He wrote about the enlightening parts of the challenge.
“I pushed my abilities. I shook my body’s cry for sleep and journeyed hard for the top throughout the night,” said Dysart.
Sign up for the Mile High Challenge today and share a journey with dozens of others!
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