KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Climbers check out Boy Scout Rock

Climbers check out Boy Scout Rock

by Leyla Santiago
Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Editor's note: This story has been changed to correct the spelling of Matt Szundy throughout.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Just off the Seward Highway stands the rock of the Chugach Mountain Range where you're bound to find a good cliff to climb.

Matt Szundy of Ascending Path says Boy Scout Rock is a good place for new climbers and great place for a daytrip.

"The Seward Highway offers a variety of small cliffs that are great for different routes, different heights, different views," said Szundy.

Safety comes first and everything double strapped and double checked.

"We want to make sure that we sort of buddy check each other," said Szundy. "It's an important principle in all of climbing."     

The guide rigs the peak of the cliff.

"It's key to come out here with some knowledge or some skills and if you don't have that go with a guide who is qualified or certified," Szundy said.

Szundy added, "Women are typically better climbers than men because they have smaller fingers."

I'll take any advantage I can get.

Climbing probably isn't the ideal for anyone with a fear of heights.

My legs started shaking and it wasn't long before I started struggling.

Our guide told us the climb was at an intermediate level.

"One of the things I love about rock climbing is it's problem solving, it's physical problem solving," said Szundy.

Szundy told us to focus on pushing up from the bottom instead of pulling up from the top.

It didn't always work for me, but bit by bit, I climbed my way up.

And all the work was worth it -- a climb to the top in less than a day.

Contact Leyla Santiago at lsantiago@ktuu.com