It’s not easy to climb a mountain.
But Finn Fraser Grathwol likes the challenge.
The 10-year-old has been scaling heights at the Edge Climbing Centre since he was nine years old, but he has been tagging along with his mom to the centre since he was three.
Although he doesn’t really remember the details of the first time he ever tried climbing, he does remember that it was fun.
“Otherwise he wouldn’t be doing it today,” he notes.
Finn attends two classes a week at the centre and often goes a third time for recreation.
His goal is to make the centre’s competition team. Although he already competes and has earned first, second, third and fourth-place finishes.
The main challenge of climbing is to get to the top, explains Finn. But the key is finding the best route to the top.
Indoors at the centre, routes are marked on the climbing walls.
But outside, climbers have to find their own routes and their own holds. Planning and strategizing are a big part of the sport. This year, Finn started climbing outside as well as inside at the centre. He climbs outside on weekends with his dad and friends.
“It’s great outside because, I mean, it’s outside, and you’re in nature and it’s really beautiful,” he says.
When asked what he thinks the most challenging part of climbing is, Finn talks about something called dynamic movement, jumping between holds as you climb.
“That’s kind of hard to learn,” he notes.
Finn explains that climbers do need arm and leg strength, but also balance.
“I try to think I’m more of a balanced climber. But I’m very determined,” he says.
And believe it or not, Finn says there are some famous climbers who are scared of heights. Climbing takes a lot of concentration, so there isn’t much time to look down and get scared.
Finn says he thinks climbing is something any kid can learn to do.
“I think climbing is kind of a natural thing for kids to do because we climb on the playground, we play on the monkey bars, and when you were a baby sometimes you climbed out of your crib. It’s kind of just a natural thing for kids to do.”
How do you know if you’re a good climber? “You’re having fun, and usually you’re pretty strong if you’re a good climber,” says Finn.
When asked if he thinks he will continue climbing for a while, he answers quickly: “Definitely, yes.”
And his answer to the question about what he might want to be when he grows up is not surprising: “A professional climber would be nice.”
The Edge Climbing Centre has climbing and bouldering summer camps for kids six and up. Visit edgeclimbing.com for more information.
This story originally appeared in a special section of the North Shore News focused on summer camps.
