A ‘record’ of their own: Bend climbers tackle challenge

As climbers at the Bend Rock Gym laced up their shoes and dusted their fingers Thursday, a challenge loomed overhead: breaking the recently broken record at Yosemite’s Dawn Wall.

Well, sort of.

“They only did 32 pitches, we’re going to do 33 today,” said Bend climber John Caccamo. “This way, we’ll outdo those guys in Yosemite.”

Sure, their adventure is indoors and the routes are clearly painted. But it still was no small feat — imagine 60 feet of climbing, twisting and and hanging on upside down.

“It’s terrifying, it’s invigorating,” said Bend climber Matt Strait.

And so six of them took the day to play hooky, each tasked with making five or six ascents.

Naively, NewsChannel 21 asked if those climbs together would equal the 3,000 feet the Yosemite pair conquered Wednesday.

“No,” Caccamo laughed. “Their pitches were a lot longer, and a lot harder.”

Consider those only minor details. Besides, this group has a fool-proof plan.

“We’re all coming together to bring our collective skills, talents and strengths,” Strait said.

Strait’s talent might be keeping everyone else their toes.

“My favorite climb is the one I just finished,” Strait said. “Or maybe the next one. Can I edit that one out? My favorite climb is the next one.”

Within the facility, it’s not any breath-taking view driving them up, rather the drive from within.

“All you are doing is climbing a big stone, but it’s really meaningful,” Caccamo said.

For Bend climber Emilie Cortes, climbing is literally and figuratively feeling on edge. And she loves it.

“It’s strengthening my relationship with fear,” Cortes said. “Understanding it, feeling it, learning to work through it — and feeling the sense of accomplishment when I do.”

Cortes said she appreciates the accomplishments of the Dawn Wall climbers, but she’s more impressed with the climbing she sees at the gym.

“Extreme athletes are awesome, and they push the limits, but I really do get inspiration from the average person that’s achieving things,” Cortes said.

Speaking of achievements, after a couple hours, the group hit its goal: 33 pitches up the wall.

And then they did more.