2010 Roc Comp Day 1

It glistened, beaded then fell through a thin fogged layer like a Plinko chip down the glass and onto the tacky dark wood grain of the bar. Looming above in high-def color, the NFL draft with subtitled commentary, next to it, Ontario was tied with Pittsburgh in the third period of their playoff game. Men spit their knowledge in a passionate display showing their love of the game; tales from seventh separation parties that knew so-in-so who knew that star player’s mother.

 

Hollowness from a lack of interest in the sports fan’s commentary tilted my mind towards my surroundings and the events to come. My thumb traced the path from the bead of condensation that fell from my glass causing the napkin to wilt and its edges to turn upwards.

 

In the lobby, high school children and their parents listened to the canned sales pitch of various college representatives during a College Expo. As they filtered out, dogs, well fed and groomed, led their owners to their rooms to rest before their dog show the following day. It was a busy weekend in Baltimore, MD the home of Earth Treks Climbing Gym and the site of the Roc Comp.

 

Six years prior I had been here, torquing a wrench as a route setter in preparation for what would become the largest indoor climbing event held on the east coast.  This year, I was a spectator, a mere armchair hero like the other men at the bar.

 

A familiar grip shook me from my reflective somber mood.

“They let people like you in here?” Buck Branson from Evolv in tow with Chris Lindner and Kurt Smith entered the bar. This was going to be a great weekend.

 

 

The fog cleared by the following afternoon and as the black tarred parking lot of the Columbia Earth Treks heated under the afternoon sun the event tents popped up on the pavement under the guidance of vendors like mushrooms on the dewed grass. Music blared and food and drink sizzled and soaked preparing for the days consumption. Over 300 like minded focused and passionate climbers filed their way into the newly remolded facility to compete in the Pro-am leg of this event. Among the competitors waiting to grapple was veteran climber Chris Sharma, who smiled and graciously signed shirts and posters while awaiting the announcement to climb. Daniel Woods was there too, as was Lisa Rands, Alex Johnson, Ethan Pringle, Magnus Midtboe, Alex Puccio, and hometown favorite Matt Bosley among a long roster of other greats.

 

 

As the climbing commensurated, I was struck with the realization that while overweight men in bars dote over their favorite ball players and make fantasy teams comprised of untouchable figures they only see on high definition televisions, climbers look to their heroes not as heroes at all, but fellow climbers. . .Compadres.  This competition was the perfect illustration of the companionship that all climbers share. As the pro ranks dispatched thousand point problems with ease, their fellow competitors offered encouragement, and in return, the elite did the same.

 

 

“Come on man!” Chris shouted undoubtedly to a fan who struggled near the end of a problem. Daniel Woods pounded fists with “bro” who was finishing up his day and Lisa Rands was sharing beta and encouragement as the chalk fog settled in on the crowd.

The night wore on with band and beer arriving by ten. Climbers milled around, some still attempting the problems that thwarted them during the competition. Results of the days efforts were posted and athletes making semi-finals returned to their hotels for a restful sleep. For results of the Pro-am and to see the running order of the semi-finals, check out www.earthtreksclimbing.com