The Mile March is an annual challenge put on by the IWU Recreation and Wellness Center challenging students to climb a vertical mile on the top rope.
Climbers partaking in the challenge must climb the 28-foot rock wall 212 times to complete the challenge. Many climbing gyms across the country host the challenge, creating a sense of community for all climbers.
Student Isaac Suer is participating in the challenge. One thing he said he loves about climbing is the community. He has been to every climbing gym in Indiana and enjoys talking with other climbers.
James LeFebvre and Carissa Cook are two IWU students also participating in the challenge. They started climbing three or four years ago when their friends invited them to go to the climbing gym.
Discussing his first time climbing, LeFebvre said, “I was hooked.” Now, he climbs as often as he can.
LeFebvre said he enjoys the challenge of figuring out different ways to climb a route. Everyone climbs differently. Some strategies work for some climbers and not others.
Similarly, Suer said he enjoys taking a step back to plan how to do the route. Learning to take a moment to observe the challenge ahead in climbing has taught him how to take a step back during life’s challenges.
“You can either just go, go, go, go and try to get everything done, but you’re gonna hurt yourself, you’re gonna get burnout, you’re going to exhaust yourself,” Seur said. “And there [are] moments where you just need to stop, sit back and either take the time to relax or look at what to do next.”
Cook said that climbing taught her not to take things too seriously and how to get out of her head. She enjoys taking a break from studying to spend time climbing.
“There’s so much more to life textbooks. It’s just nice to be out of your head for a bit,” Cook said.
Suer recommends that everyone try climbing, even if they are scared.
“To anyone who is curious about athletics in general, always try it.”
