Making mountains, Grand Forks style - Airman's World - Entre-Prises - Brief Article

Airman, March, 2003 by Chuck Roberts, Jim Varhegyl

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- When the cold dreary days of a North Dakota winter have people climbing the walls, the folks here head to the sports and fitness center. There, just inside the entrance, stands a 37-foot, 6-inch climbing wall looming like a monolith from some long-forgotten culture.

"Everybody wants to get on it," said Jim Powell, the base sports and fitness director who conceived the idea after getting a glimpse of a similar wall at a new recreation center at Ohio State University while on vacation. Knowing that base climbing enthusiasts traveled to outdoor and indoor sites in North Dakota and nearby Minnesota, Powell pitched the idea to base officials, and soon the $150,000 free-standing wall was making its way piece by piece through glass doorways. It's one of about 3,000 constructed worldwide by Entre-Prises, headquartered in Bend, Ore.

Since August, more than 1,000 people have been certified through free weekly classes conducted by base and community volunteers. One of those volunteers was Maj. Ken Hill, who arrived at Grand Forks less than enthralled at the prospect of a tour in the northern tier. But when the rock climbing aficionado entered the fitness center and confronted the climbing wall, he thought, "There are redeeming values at Grand Forks." Since then the medical clinic administrator has grown to love the assignment where he said the key to happiness is, "You just have to get out and do it."

The wall, however, brings this outdoor activity to a warm cozy setting available to anyone B years and older. The only equipment required is a pair of sneakers, Hill said, noting that the fitness center provides state-of-the-art climbing gear. The wall looks and feels like the real McCoy, which adds to its daunting presence. It offers ascent routes ranging from easy to "pretty hairy," Hill said.

Climbers range from a group of civil engineers who tackle the wall for physical training to families and birthday parties.

"It's a great family activity because everyone can do it," Hill said.

The base shares the wall with University of North Dakota students who, in turn, volunteer their services as instructors. "It's been a great bond between us and the university," Hill said.