Amidst a lively gym, Junior Melody Cheng wipes a streak of sweat from her brow before calculating her route on a rigorous rock climbing course. She readies herself to leap from rock to rock until she reaches the top and rings the bell, completing the course.
Cheng practices bouldering, an indoor sport that consists of free-climbing on artificial rock walls, usually 15-20 feet in height, with crash pads at the bottom as the sole safety net. She prefers bouldering over traditional rock climbing because it encourages climbers to push their limits in a safe environment.
Soon after the sport caught her eye in middle school, she convinced her mother to sign up for a lesson at ARC, Arcadia Rock Climbing, where she fell in love and purchased a membership.
The gym offered a spectrum of curated courses specific to diverse skill levels. Of the 14 possible levels, Cheng has reached the sixth level. She struggles with being aware of her body’s position on the wall and often slips on the more difficult courses.
Cheng adores the sport because it challenges her mind and body to adjust to the course, much like a puzzle. However, her favorite aspect is reaching the top and ringing the bell.
“It’s very chill, usually I’m with some friends so we find a route and warm up,” Cheng said. “After our primary climbing session, we just have fun and start playing games and challenging each other.”
Due to lack of business, the ARC, Cheng’s go-to gym, has closed their doors, awaiting a new company’s occupation. Cheng is unable to climb as frequently as before, but she still manages to visit L.A. Bouldering or try out a random route on a hiking trail.
In the future, she hopes to be skilled enough to explore the peaks Joshua Tree National Park.
TCHS School Newspaper