I am a junior Computer Science (CS) major at Cornell, and I love rock climbing. My friends often say it's hard to beat the CS stereotype when I spend my time touching plastic rocks on a wall instead of touching grass outside. While I enjoy hanging out on the Slope, especially when the sun is out, I'm also grateful for the Lindseth Climbing Center, which gives me a space to challenge myself.

"You've got this!"

I started climbing less than a year ago when my friends brought me to Lindseth for the first time. At first, my legs were shaking and my hands were sweating profusely as I climbed higher and higher. I couldn't get very far on that first day, held back by both fear and, honestly, a lack of strength. But after a while, I got used to the feeling, and now climbing is one of my favorite hobbies. What I love most about climbing at Cornell is the sense of community and support from fellow Cornellian climbers. One thing you hear a lot at Lindseth is "You've got this!" From beginners to experts, everyone there is supportive and friendly. People offer advice on how to approach a route I'm stuck on and encourage me to try harder problems to push my limits. I even participated in my first climbing competition, "Cornell Crusher," hosted by the Cornell Climbing Club. It's a little embarrassing to admit I could only finish one of eight routes, but I'm grateful for the opportunity to challenge myself while being cheered on by the Cornell climbing community.

Friends on and off the wall

While I still shake sometimes on the wall, climbing has become my favorite way to unwind from the academic grind, especially when I get to share the experience with friends. What surprises me most is how easy it is to connect with people at Lindseth. Strangers from completely different majors become familiar faces, and conversations start up as naturally as grabbing the next hold. Whether you need a belay partner or a nudge on a tricky route, the people there always have your back. After a tiring but rewarding session, a group of us will walk over to grab boba or food at one of the many spots in Collegetown, while our fingers are still sore and our shirts are dusted with chalk. To be honest, I never imagined I'd find my people on a climbing wall. Whatever passions you already have or yet to discover, there's a community here waiting for you.