Rock climbing can be a dangerous sport, but it is also exciting and rewarding. Many people may not know that we have a teacher at GEMS who rock climbs, Mr. Ogaz. Like many athletes, he prepares both mentally and physically before a climb. He shared, “To mentally prepare for a climb, I mostly just throw on some classic hip hop, something like Gang Starr or Wu Tang Clan. Other than that, I may look it over and plan out my climb.”
Climbing requires different gear depending on whether you are indoors or outdoors. Mr. Ogaz explained, “Depending on whether you go outside or stay indoors changes a lot. For instance, if you boulder indoors, all you need are shoes and chalk. If you go outside, you need to add in a couple crash pads. If you’re doing rope climbing, you need shoes, a harness, a belay device, and chalk. If you go outside, you need all that and rope and quick draws, which are carabiners. Plus, you need to know how to use all those safely.”
Mr. Ogaz first got into rock climbing through Scouting. He said, “I got into rock climbing thanks to Scouting. Every year, we would go to Joshua Tree to camp and climb. When I left for college, I wanted to stay fit so I got a membership for it.” Over time, climbing became second nature to him. He added, “Normally, I just slow my breathing down and pump myself up.”
Although injuries can happen in this sport, Mr. Ogaz has been fortunate overall. However, he did tear a tendon in his knee, which kept him from climbing for a year. Despite the risks, he finds climbing incredibly rewarding. “I think the most rewarding part is overcoming a challenging climb. When you finally understand how to position your body or move on a climb and complete it, nothing compares to that.”
Indoor and outdoor climbing both have benefits. Indoor gyms are convenient and have padded floors for safety, while outdoor climbing allows climbers to enjoy nature. Mr. Ogaz prefers climbing outside. He said, “Indoors is nice for convenience sake, but I really love being out in nature.” He is also a member of a Sacramento gym called The Boulderfield, which focuses on bouldering, short climbs without ropes but with padded flooring.
Climbing does come with risks. “If I’m bouldering, I need to know I have the proper padding for the landing. We use these pads and spotters that allow us to fall more comfortably, but it is a dangerous sport. Danger is an inherent risk,” he explained. He has witnessed scary moments, including serious falls and emergency situations.
When he was training regularly, Mr. Ogaz climbed V7 level boulders. The V scale ranges from 0 to 13, placing him in the advanced category. Most climbers average around V4 to V5, while professionals climb V9 to V13. Even at high levels, nerves can still play a role, but experience helps build confidence.
To stay in shape, Mr. Ogaz focuses primarily on climbing but also incorporates weight training, cardio, yoga, and core workouts. He emphasized the importance of consistency: “Honestly, the most important part is consistency when training. Have specific workouts planned to target areas and do them consistently.”
Looking ahead, Mr. Ogaz hopes to return to his previous level of climbing. “Currently, I plan to get back to the level I once was at. With becoming a teacher, I had to cut out a lot of my training time, but I’m planning to get back to it. I have a couple outdoor climbs I want to do in Bishop.”
Climbing can be done alone or in groups. Mr. Ogaz previously climbed with a group in Southern California, but now he often climbs solo and meets new people at the gym. He says climbers are typically friendly and supportive. Planning is also important when climbing outdoors, especially checking the weather to avoid dangerous conditions or damaging wet rock.
When asked about the best advice he has received, Mr. Ogaz joked, “Just go up.” Then he clarified, “The best advice was to relax more and learn to move on the wall. Most people think climbing is about strength, but it’s also about controlling your body and positioning it properly. Once I figured that out, I improved a lot.”
Rock climbing may be risky, but with preparation, training, and the right mindset, it can be an incredibly rewarding sport.
