24 Sep Titan Outdoors: Titans Reach New Heights All Year Round
It’s the Fall of 2024: new and returning Titans are stepping onto campus with the start of the new academic year. With their triumphant return, students are looking for new and exciting ways to take advantage of their academic home. Many are finding themselves at the Student Recreation Center, but they aren’t getting in any normal workout.
The Climbing Wall
Titans utilize the climbing wall at the SRC. Credit: ASICSUF Flickr
The 30-foot tall and 27-foot wide climbing wall has stood front and center of the SRC since its construction in 2008. The wall was built in an attempt to give students more accessibility to outdoor recreation even within a suburban landscape like Fullerton.
Now, Titans use the wall as an escape from their busy academic schedules. Free to use for any member of the SRC, the wall has seen many generations of Titans ascend its peak throughout the past 16 years. To this day, the wall continues to see between 30 to 50 climbers on a daily basis.
Beginners to Expert
A group of Titans gathered around the Climbing wall as they get ready to begin their climb. Credit: ASICSUF Flickr
Not an experienced climber? Have no worry! There are staff members ready and waiting to help teach the basics of climbing and assist when needed. A majority of students who utilize the climbing wall are first-time climbers wanting to experience the wall firsthand. “I didn’t really care at the time, but then once I started, I was like, ‘Okay, I need to keep coming back,’” states Giuliana Miller, a Titan on her second day of climbing. “I want to be the strong girly who can show off for other girlies who come in here and let them know this is a fun thing that they should be participating in, and I’m working towards that.”
The state-of-the-art climbing wall allows climbers to choose between three different climbing styles depending on their preference: bouldering, top rope and lead climbing. The SRC even offers classes about climbing fundamentals, top rope climbing and lead climbing for climbers who want to learn in a more professional setting on a weekly basis. While the climbing wall is appealing to new climbers, more experienced climbers find themselves coming back to the SRC to take advantage of the climbing wall. The wall provides various climbing paths that can change and offer new challenges to those even at an expert level of climbing. “I enjoy the community. I can come here everyday and just talk to someone no matter what day or time it is,” said student Ana Littleton, an experienced climber of over a year.
Climbers of all experience levels agreed that more Titans should try their hand at the climbing wall at least once in their college experience. “Even if you don’t overcome your fears, and you just work through it, it’s rewarding,” said experienced student climber Sage Wengler. “If you’re afraid of the wall or afraid of heights, getting on the wall is the first achievement.” Miller further encouraged students to try this new feat. “We’re all scared and intimidated by the rock wall. I don’t blame you. Everyone can work their way up here. Just start easy and then go hard. Don’t give up. Come back.”
Despite the varying levels of climbing experience, Titans are welcomed with open arms and a bag full of chalk whenever they take that first step to climbing new heights in their fitness journey.
Titan Outdoors Doesn’t Just Stop at The Climbing Wall…
Two Titan Outdoors participants watch their fellow participant climb a rock wall. Credit: ASICSUF Flickr
“Outdoors is the crossing point of exercise and wellness,” states Colin Sprague, climbing operations lead at the SRC. “Climbing is primal in a way. You really get psyched to do it.”
While the climbing wall can be an incredible feat to accomplish on its own, it can also be a tool to prepare Titans for more daring adventures outside of the SRC. Every semester, the SRC offers different outdoor excursions through the Titan Outdoors program. These trips allow Titans the opportunity to travel and experience outdoor trips for an affordable price. Titans can use the skills they’ve gained through their use of the climbing wall on these trips and gain more of an appreciation for nature and the outdoors. Some previous trips had Titans climbing through the Alabama Hills, New Jack City and the Holcomb Valley.
“I believe promoting not just exercise but also wellness outside your element,” states Angel Ramos. Titans can look forward to more trips and adventures throughout the semester, including excursions throughout Big Pine, Alabama Hills, Pinnacles National Park, Catalina Island and much more.
The Man Holding Up the Wall
Ramos (left) helps teach a student during Titan Outdoors staff training. Credit: ASICSUF Flickr
“Repelling off a big wall changed my life,” states Angel Ramos on how he became interested in outdoor recreation. Ramos is the new Outdoor Adventures Coordinator and is in charge of the Titan Outdoors program, which oversees the climbing wall. When not in his office, engaging with the nearby communities or out on an adventure, you’ll find him supporting and encouraging climbers trying out the wall. Ramos is an advocate for educating others about the benefits of outdoor recreation on health and wellness. One initiative Ramos is implementing is outreach to nearby communities in the Fullerton and Placentia areas.
Tilt Outdoors is one organization that utilizes the climbing wall as a way to help children from low income families connect to the outdoors. A branch of its parent nonprofit, Solidarity, Tilt Outdoors Collaborates with Titan outdoors teaching teenagers from low income households how to rock climb for a few days before taking them on their own climbing adventure to New Jack City. “The kids take the skills and the confidence they learned at the rock wall and they go outdoors,” states Sprague. “It’s a really great six week program.”
Standing at the Foot of Your Next Adventure!
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“A lot of people never see [the SRC]. It’s like a jewel. Everyone should experience it,” states Ramos. A staple to the CSUF campus, the SRC and the climbing wall encourage students to stay active in a unique way between their classes at no additional cost. Whether it be a quick workout between classes or training to scale their next mountain, the climbing wall and Titan Outdoors satisfy every Titan’s itch for physical activity and adventure!
Want to learn more about the climbing wall and Titan Outdoors?
Visit the Student Recreation Center or https://asi.fullerton.edu/titan-recreation for more information and start your next adventure of a lifetime.
Visit https://www.solidaritynpo.org/tiltoutdoors to learn more about the SRC’s commitment to contributing to the development of younger and at-risk communities through Tilt Outdoors.