Family Fun Guide
Prairie Walls Climbing Gym
By Megan Malugani
A seasoned vet: P.J. started rock climbing indoors when he was 4 years old and living in Utah, and was hooked immediately. “You either like climbing or you don’t. There’s no in-between,” he says. When he moved to Rochester at age 5, he started climbing at Prairie Walls.
How often he climbs: Two or three times a week at Prairie Walls. P.J. also climbs at other indoor gyms for rock climbing competitions, and occasionally his family climbs outdoors near La Crosse and elsewhere. P.J.’s first “rated” climb was in Leavenworth, Washington.
Why P.J. loves climbing: He likes the challenge of completing climbs that are higher and higher on the rating scale. Also, “I like being up high and I like jumping to holds because it feels like I’m actually flying ... it’s not very scary because you’re gonna get caught by the ropes” if you fall, he says.
Favorite climbing surface: “I don’t really have one, but I like overhangs a lot and then I like slabs.”
Peak performance: P.J. got his dad into rock climbing, but the son can still out-climb his father. “I’m better than him,” P.J. says.
Brenna Sharp, 11
Intro to climbing: Less than a year ago, Brenna and her dad and sister came to Prairie Walls for the first time after seeing an advertisement for the place. “We decided to come try it out and have some fun. We loved it.”
How often she climbs: Three times a week at Prairie Walls. She has also gone bouldering once outdoors in Wisconsin and plans to do much more outdoor climbing this summer. Why Brenna loves climbing: “I just like it because it’s not a very competitive sport. And it’s really fun and I’ve met a lot of nice people.”
Is it ever scary?: “Not at first. But when I got better I started doing routes, and it gets a little scary on the harder stuff. You’re not sure if you’re gonna make it or fall. It’s pretty nerve-wracking, actually.”
Reaching for the top: Brenna has grand plans for her climbing future. “I kinda want to go to Camp 4 [a rock-climbing mecca in Yosemite National Park] and all those places. I want to climb outside a lot more. Inside the walls are not very tall, but out there is a whole new scenario.”