Rock Climbing

By Dan Burke, 1 November, 2021

Late this spring we determined to bring challenge recreation back for our students. We set it aside for over a year for reasons of social distancing, etc. First, We arranged to go whitewater rafting in Idaho Springs, where we’d gone for almost ten years, and it was great to be back on Clear Creek with some old friends!

Meanwhile, martin Becerrra-Miranda was tasked with finding a new company to guide our Independence Training Program students on rock climbing excursions.

“I think these guys might be the ones,” Martin said after talking with Dan Krug of Denver Climbing Co. “They just get it.”

His reasoning was sound. Dan K told Martin he started rock climbing to address his own anxiety.

“I felt trapped (by anxiety) until I discovered rock climbing” says Dan. “It provided me with an avenue to push my limits in a controlled environment with supportive people. These factors acted as mental scaffolding to provide support as my brain relearned my actual potential and ability. I remember this with every client I take rock climbing and recreate the circumstances that helped me.”

By Dan Burke, 18 May, 2017

Spring rock climbing with NSCD is underway, and Group 2 made their way on Tuesday to Denver PAL’s indoor climbing wall for their introductory climb, and lessons in harnessing up, tying knots and belaying. NSCD fittingly hung a bell at the top of each route so climbers can ring it loud and proud when they reach the top! We’re good with ringing that bell with confidence!

In addition to the introductory indoor climb, each group does two outdoor climbs in Clear Creek Canyon as well, though Group 2’s scheduled outdoor climb on Friday has been rescheduled because … Well, it’s snowing again in Colorado in May!

Ascending on neighboring routes, Dugan and Charles both near the top of the wall