U.S. Nationals Climbing Series

Have you ever thought of climbing a mountain wall, but you just can’t seem to work up the nerve? Take a little bit of inspiration from a twelve year old. Jerdin Carle, 12, just won the U.S. Nationals Climbing Series – and he did it with a torn ligament in his finger. The U.S. Nationals Climbing Series is three day annual event that takes place in Minnesota and is attended by climbing youth from across the nation. These kids are part of climbing teams that practice across the United States in hops of achieving the title that Carle nabbed this year. Jerdin Carle is part of the Upstate area rock climbing team, G-Vegas Rock Stars, and his coach Brian Kettler couldn’t be more proud of his young prodigy.

Half way up the course, Carle found that his hand was severely hurting after injuring it earlier in the week. Understanding the difference between a competition and a long term hand injury, Carle made the decision to let go of the rock and rappel even though it meant losing the competition. Carle was shocked as he was announced the champion (he also won last years competition). Carle showed all modesty, even though he beat out thirty-five other boys, when he stated: "I was really surprised. I was definitely not expecting to win with my hand hurt." Carle showed maturity that most adults might not have shown, when he decided that he would rather be around to climb another day then to risk injuring his hand for good. Carle plans to keep practicing in hopes that next years competition will be even better than this one.

Climbing World Cup

Most people have heard of the world cup, but normally that title is reserved for the sport of soccer. For climbing enthusiasts, the term “world cup” means something completely different. Although the world of climbing is usually thought to be a solitary, uncompetitive world, this sport has its competitors as well and they are well equipped to go the distance. Climbing has turned into a world wide sport, and attracts competitors from all around the globe that just can’t get enough of the physically challenging sport.

Each year, climbers across the globe compete for the World Cup in the sport of climbing, and this year’s star was Emily Harrington. Harrington is a Colorado native that has proved her climbing skill time and again. Coming in third place during a World Cup event in Zurich, Switzerland, Harrington has gone up against some of the best climbers in the world, and she has proven her worth. Harrington, 21, finished second in the 2005 World Cup, and she has previously been a winner of the Serre Chevalier competition (one of the biggest events in Europe). Harrington finished behind Slovenia’s Mina Markovic (second), and Austria’s Angela Eiter (first). Coming in third place in this prestigious event, is an impressive finish given that the sport itself demands top physical fitness levels as well as top mental conditions. Harrington will now be amongst the top three female competitors in the world, but the climbing world is sure to see her again and again as she continues to compete and comes closer to the gold medal.

USA Climbing Southeast Divisional Championships

It takes a lot to be a really good climber, but it’s not a sport limited to adults. Children of all ages are getting into climbing at an amazing rate, and every now and then, they beat the pants off of their adult counterparts. This month in Georgia, four youngsters proved their point. The event was held at Adrenaline Climbing.

The crowds had gathered in Atlanta for the USA Climbing Southeast Divisional Championships, held for the first time ever in Georgia this year. There were over 110 entrants registered for various events in their age groups, ranging from 8 to 16 years old. The climbers wait in an anteroom before their scheduled competition time, so as not to plan their route or strategy ahead of time.

The winners from the USA Climbing Southeast Divisional Championships advanced as invitees to the Divisional 4 Championship in Suwannee, Georgia, set to take place on June 9th and 10th. Young climbers from the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Florida Divisionals convene at the Division 4 site, while the other Divisionals are taking place around the country. The top six youth climbers from each of the five categories in the Divisionals will advance to the USA Climbing National Championship.

The National Championship is taking place in Ann Arbor, Michigan this year from July 6th through July 8th. The young climbers of America will be able to test their skills among their peers, not to mention have the opportunity to heckle all the older climbers competing in the adult competition.