Climbing event to benefit climbing team, AIDS charity

The Gunnison Valley Peaceful Warriors will host its next climbing competition Saturday, April 24, 2010. This fourth annual Gunny Sports Climbing Series Local is open to competitors of all age levels and will attract climbers from across the west. The day-long event will test climbers’ levels of fitness and skill.
The competition will be held at indoor climbing walls in two locations: the Gunnison Community Center at 200 E. Spencer in Gunnison and the Western State College’s Escalante Fitness Center at 600 N. Adams in Gunnison. Climbers can register with the Gunnison Community Center beginning April 1 at (970) 641-8060.
“The Gunny Sports Climbing Series Local is expected to attract some of the most promising young climbers from across Colorado and New Mexico” says Alec Solimeo, event organizer. “Climbing teams from private gyms from around the region will be competing. For those interested in the future of competitive climbing in our region, this is a ‘must attend’ event.”
The Gunny Sports Climbing Series Local is a difficulty-oriented, timed contest with four separate routes that entrants must climb. Contestants cannot see the problems in advance, which should offer a fun yet challenging set of climbing problems. Contestants will alternate between periods of climbing and rest to ensure everyone is fairly matched.
This year proceeds of the event will be shared by the Gunnison Valley Peaceful Warriors and Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up.
The Gunnison Valley Peaceful Warriors is a youth climbing team borne from the Gunnison Valley Climbing Experience, a publicly funded climbing program whose mission is to expose young people to the world of climbing.
Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up is a climbing-focused charity event created by the American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA), which benefits African children with AIDS.
“We’re very excited to be working with the Gunnison Valley Climbing Experience and Alec Solimeo again this year,” says AFCA director Tanya Weaver. “We’ve found that the climbing community is incredibly generous in helping those in need. We’re grateful for the support of GVCE and The Peaceful Warriors.”
For more information go to www.usaclimbing.net or contact alec.solimeo@western.edu.