‘We all have mountains to climb’: How Lucy Westlake became the youngest female in U.S. history to climb all 50 state highpoints
In 2017, Lucy Westlake attempted to climb Denali and become the youngest female in U.S. history to reach all 50 state highpoints. She initially fell short of her goal, but she redeemed herself four years later.
Analytical mind pushes Duffy to Olympic heights
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Climbing takes stamina and strength, from fingers to toes and everything in between. The physical side is only half of the equation. Solving a rock wall also requires mental acuity, an ability to identify the best route not only to the top, but prevent getting stuck. Colin Duffy’s mind is […]
Condie overcomes back surgery to reach Olympic rings
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Kyra Condie lay on the operating table as doctors broke her back and put it back together. They worked through an incision running from her neck nearly the length of her back, removing, rotating, realigning and resetting each of 10 vertebrae. Rods were inserted to stabilize the spine while the […]
Hands the key to keeping a grip in Olympic climbing
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The skin stretches taught, veins pouring in tributaries over the linear lines of the carpals and metacarpals. The phalanges fall into line like a picket fence with boards of varying lengths, the knuckles unknobby. They’re long, yet not spindly, even muscular — if fingers can be muscular. The palms are […]
Climbing to make its Olympic debut at Tokyo Games
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Climbing’s standing as a niche sport has always been a part of its appeal. A rock wall can be a place of solitude or of camaraderie with a small group of fellow climbers. There are no crowds, just the peacefulness of the outdoors and the task of trying to find […]
Ascent team competitive rock climbing at Mesa Rim
RENO, Nev. — You may have noticed rock climbing has increased in popularity over the past several years. There’s been a lot of money put into large indoor climbing spaces across the country. They’re popping up everywhere, from large cities to small towns, thanks to passionate climbers and savvy entrepreneurs. The two young ladies in […]