Talk of the Town - Rocky road July 03 2003

Three weeks ago, college friends Craig McKinnon, Josh Patton and Bobby Dillingham left Melbourne, Fla., for a climbing road trip. They’ll travel for several weeks this summer searching for exhilarating climbs. In Atlanta, the three decided to practice bouldering at Wall Crawler Rock Club. Bouldering, a rope-free climbing method, emphasizes a climber’s movement and technique. The three scale the wall easily, letting their feet swing between footholds and then drop without hesitation from the boulder’s top. Patton enjoys how bouldering “lets you become one with the rock.”

“Most Atlantans are indoor climbers,” explains Zach Pitts, Wall Crawler’s owner and manager. “The closest outdoor climbing is at least two hours away, in Rocktown, Ga.”

Wall Crawler offers “newbie” classes that focus on both climbing technique and the technical aspects of climbing. Pitts does most of the teaching and sees anyone and everyone as potential climbers.

Climbing entails mental and physical challenges and presents an alternative to conventional exercise. As Pitts strides though his cavern of rubber rock, he imparts some climber wisdom to the inexperienced and intimidated: “Climbing is a melding of independence and teamwork. If the mind would relax and let the body fulfill its potential, people would find themselves climbing better than they could have ever imagined.”

Although indoor walls may be more convenient, most climbers remain bound to the outdoor experience.

“Indoor helps to work on specifics and to build strength, but outdoor climbing is more challenging, more peaceful,” says Dillingham. But they all yearn for the real deal.

Mon. and Wed. 3-11 p.m.; Tues. and Thurs. Noon-11 p.m. Newbie rock climbing Mon. 8-11 p.m. Wall Crawler Rock Club, 1522 DeKalb Ave. #2. 404-371-8997.