Trip review: Late Night Climbing

By Lenore Alexander

Late night rock climbing was a wonderful taste of bouldering for new and familiar climbers alike. Spread out and masked up, we were dispersed between rows and rows of seats on a bus; we drove down St. Claude, anxiously awaiting the start of our activity with our arrival at New Orleans Bouldering Lounge (NOBL).

Bouldering, for those unfamiliar, is a form of climbing without ropes or harness. So, unlike top-rope climbing, bouldering routes require you to climb up and climb down each “problem.” Generally bouldering problems are 7-15 feet high, but the crash pad below and good falling technique makes this height much less daunting. Watching participants of all levels climb up, fall, climb up again, and climb down was so encouraging— with each upward exploration, there was some degree of personal improvement. While some more participants ambitiously climbed up difficult overhangs, others just practiced some V0 (beginner) routes, but all had the chance to climb and push their abilities.

 

Though our time was short with each of the two groups, participants on both buses shared that they were challenged, some new boulderers overcame their fear of heights, and others just “liked the climbing.” Starting at 9:45 and stretching until 12:45, this was certainly a late night but a fun one!

 

For those reading this and itching to climb, NOBL has a website (http://climbnobl.com/) where you can schedule an open climbing session in advance and learn more about the space! The day pass is $12 for students and rental climbing shoes are just $4 at NOBL… or you can rent shoes from us ~at outdoor adventures~ for the daily fee of $2 (https://campusrecreation.tulane.edu/outdoor-adventures/gear-rental-center).

 

About the Author:

Name: Lenore Alexander

Year in School: Senior

Major: Political Economy (Minors: Studio Art, Spanish)

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Favorite Outdoor Activity: Hiking and nature art

Favorite Camp Food: Rocky Mountain Toast (with fresh eggs and foraged mushrooms!)

Ideal Outdoor Adventure Trip Destination: Backpacking in the Canadian Rockies

If you were stranded on a desert island, what/who would you bring with you: My backpack with a knife, water filter, and disc inside… and my dog.