UMD News

Director of Public Relations:
Susan Beasy Latto, slatto@d.umn.edu
315 Darland Administration Bldg.
1049 University Drive
Duluth, MN 55812
(218) 726-8830 Cell: (218) 348-5688
Fax: (218) 726-7413

March 21, 2002

Contact:
Susan Beasy Latto, Director of Public Relations 218 726-8830
Kaija Webster, Outdoor Program/Vertical Pursuits Coordinator 218 726-6257

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED------11 A.M.

11am - noon SPECIAL MEDIA INVITATION!

Special Activities for Members of the Media
UMD Rock Climbing Instructors will Be on Hand to Help You Try out Climbing on the New Facility!
Also--Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
UMD Indoor Climbing Center (next to Ice Rink)
(Sports & Health Center Building, lower level)

3 - 9 pm

Free ice cream, free rock climbing

7 pm

Opening Celebration, slide show, light refreshments -
(UMD Sports & Health Center, Room 191)

Bouldering..........it's the hottest new trend in rock climbing. Now UMD's Indoor Climbing Center has a new addition catering to this fun activity. Bouldering is rock climbing that takes place low enough to the ground that ropes and harnesses aren't necessary.

Duluth, Minnesota----a city of rocks is fast becoming a destination for climbers from around the region who want to take advantage of the city's natural bouldering areas.

UMD's Indoor Climbing Center has been a popular feature in the localcommunity for over 10 years. UMD's Vertical Pursuits School of Climbing manages the facility, and is known for it's focus on safety and education. Kids to senior citizens have roped up to scale the 30+ feet of artificial rock of this indoor facility. Besides being fun, climbing can help people work on trust, communication, teamwork and plain-old fear-of-heights.

In order to accommodate the growing numbers of people interested in rock climbing, and to provide a venue for the exciting new challenge of bouldering, UMD has built an addition to its Climbing Center. The new facility features 700 square feet of climbing surface, including climbing across the 10' high ceiling! The floor is covered with a shredded rubber landing surface to absorb the impact of any fall.

UMD Climbing Coordinator, Kaija Webster said, "Bouldering is a great way to relax, get a workout, and build strength, coordination and balance. People can boulder at their own ability level and speed. It's a fun activity for groups or individuals who want to climb on their own without a partner. People are already enjoying the new climbing space. Everyone from local climbers to birthday party kids have had a great time with it!"