Rock-On Climbing to host event

WASILLA — Home is where the hold is for members of Rock-On Climbing, and even at home there is bound to be a little friendly competition.

On Saturday, Rock-On Climbing in Wasilla is hosting a “Boulder Bash” for kids and adults alike. Kids age 10 to 17 compete from noon to 2 p.m., and adults age 18 and up from 6 to 8 p.m. Registration is at 11 a.m. for kids and 5 p.m. for adults, and there is a $10 discount for EFT members at the gym.

“It’s technically a competition but we call it the Boulder Bash because it’s for all different levels,” co-owner Amanda Lund said.

The refreshments, a lost-and-found auction, and prizes from CAMP Technical Adventure Equipment and BlueWater Ropes are also a part of the appeal, as advertised on the promotional poster.

This is Rock-On’s first competition since they opened the gym in December of last year, Lund said, and Rock-On is the first public climbing gym in the Mat-Su Valley.

“The idea for Rock-On Climbing was born during a session of wishful thinking in 2007,” reads the company website.

“We weren’t able to climb as much as we wanted because of the long drive time to the nearest climbing gym and the weather-dependent accessibility to local crags. As we talked to others about our idea for a rock gym in Wasilla, we found many ‘used to be’ and ‘always wanted to try’ climbers in our home community. We were convinced — the Valley needed an indoor climbing gym!”

Six years and a “T-Nut Party” of volunteer construction workers later, as the story goes, Rock-On became a reality.

“Rock climbing in the Valley is definitely growing,” Lund said. “Since we opened, so many people have heard about us or come in and said ‘oh we’ve always wanted to climb.’”

The sport is not only growing, it seems, but attracting the attention of Anchorage climbers, too. In addition to members of the Rock-On youth team, young climbers from Alaska Rock Gym are slated to attend the Bash on Saturday, Program Director Alan McClain said in an email.

“Rock-On Climbing’s mission is to help the Mat-Su Valley grow into an active, happy, and healthy community by providing a premier indoor climbing facility and a safe and inclusive place to exercise,” the website reads. “We strive to make Rock-On Climbing more than just a place to climb. Our goal is to make you feel at home — a home with lots of climbing holds!”

To register for the event, call Rock-On Climbing at 357-9196 or stop by the gym at 1080 N. Wasilla Fishhook Rd. between noon and 10 p.m.

For additional information, visit rockonwasilla.com.

Contact Caitlin Skvorc at 352-2266 or caitlin.skvorc@frontiersman.com.