2008 Woodie Awards
Pocatello Pump, always reaching new heights
Mike Stubbs
Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Outdoor
- Page 1 of 1
It was sunny and hot (nearly 85 degrees) on Saturday afternoon; nevertheless, dozens of climbers peppered the cliff face at the south end of Ross Park in Pocatello. They came from Salt Lake, Boise, Bozeman, and eastern Idaho for the longest running rock climbing competition in the nation-The Pocatello Pump.
"The Pocatello Pump is a rock climbing competition, but we like to think of it as a gathering of climbers and as a festival of sorts," explained coordinator Justin Dayley who along with twenty or so other volunteers had been at the park since 4 am setting up equipment and getting the scene ready for the 200 or so climbers who would come to compete starting at 7 am. The event would last until 2:30pm on Saturday and continue from 7am to 4pm on Sunday when awards would be handed out to competitors in a variety of skill levels from beginner to expert. Winners in each division will receive a mug, and all participants are eligible to receive gear donated from a variety of sponsors in drawings throughout the competition. "Gear companies donate thousands of dollars worth of equipment. We give it away in drawings to keep everyone eligible and to emphasize the festival-nature of this event rather than the competition," Dayley stated.
Climbers participate in a series of qualification rounds in which they have one and a half hours to complete as many climbing routes as possible. They are awarded points for the level of difficulty for each run. Climbers will climb top rope and lead rope according to their division and skill level. Dayley explained that only basic skills are required. "They should know how to put on and use their gear and have good communications skills with their belay partner." Climbers from ages two and up have come to compete in the Pocatello Pump, which has been going on for more than twenty-five years.
Proceeds from the event go to the Terry Kranning scholarship awarded to an ISU student each year. In order to receive this award, climbers must participate in the Pump and write an essay on community service. Last year's winner was at the registration table continuing her service with this year's competition. Earnings from the event are also used to develop and maintain local and regional climbing routes in Ross Park, Massacre Rocks, and the City of Rocks.
Dayley explained that climbers in the area had been visibly preparing for the competition for at least a month in advance. They were seen on the rocks and walls around Pocatello building their muscles and honing their skills. "Each climber has their own reason for being here, but the important thing is coming together and being a part of the climbing community," Dayley said.
"The Pocatello Pump is a rock climbing competition, but we like to think of it as a gathering of climbers and as a festival of sorts," explained coordinator Justin Dayley who along with twenty or so other volunteers had been at the park since 4 am setting up equipment and getting the scene ready for the 200 or so climbers who would come to compete starting at 7 am. The event would last until 2:30pm on Saturday and continue from 7am to 4pm on Sunday when awards would be handed out to competitors in a variety of skill levels from beginner to expert. Winners in each division will receive a mug, and all participants are eligible to receive gear donated from a variety of sponsors in drawings throughout the competition. "Gear companies donate thousands of dollars worth of equipment. We give it away in drawings to keep everyone eligible and to emphasize the festival-nature of this event rather than the competition," Dayley stated.
Climbers participate in a series of qualification rounds in which they have one and a half hours to complete as many climbing routes as possible. They are awarded points for the level of difficulty for each run. Climbers will climb top rope and lead rope according to their division and skill level. Dayley explained that only basic skills are required. "They should know how to put on and use their gear and have good communications skills with their belay partner." Climbers from ages two and up have come to compete in the Pocatello Pump, which has been going on for more than twenty-five years.
Proceeds from the event go to the Terry Kranning scholarship awarded to an ISU student each year. In order to receive this award, climbers must participate in the Pump and write an essay on community service. Last year's winner was at the registration table continuing her service with this year's competition. Earnings from the event are also used to develop and maintain local and regional climbing routes in Ross Park, Massacre Rocks, and the City of Rocks.
Dayley explained that climbers in the area had been visibly preparing for the competition for at least a month in advance. They were seen on the rocks and walls around Pocatello building their muscles and honing their skills. "Each climber has their own reason for being here, but the important thing is coming together and being a part of the climbing community," Dayley said.
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