Jessica Bogard

State Hornet

Shirtless hunks, a small fear of heights and several climbs up40-foot walls add up to a great Friday evening at the PipeworksGym. On Friday nights Pipeworks has “Friday NightFrenzy” where for less than $20 a person can get all thesupplies they need for a night of indoor rock climbing. If youbring your own date the experience can be even more of athrill.

For $7 you get entry into Pipeworks, for $6 you get a harnessand shoes for the night and the mandatory belaying/safety classwill cost you $5 &- you only have to take it once. Do the mathand come to the realization that you are only out $18 for fourhours of addictive, heart pounding, adrenaline junkieexcitement.

Upon completing the safety class, climbers are given theopportunity to explore the gym (and each other) a little more. Withclimbing, it’s acceptable to get up close andpersonal8212;actually, mandatory all in the name of safety.Thoroughly check each other’s safety devices, which gothrough the strap at the waist just above a person’s crotch.Add a little eye contact along with a slow smile and the simplesafety check can up the sexual tension a few clicks.

Trust is a given when climbing since the person on the ground isliterally the safety net. Encouraging your date is always a nicebonus8212; make sure to comment on their form liberallydistribute celebratory hugs after a climb.

Scott Kugler, one of the staffers at Pipeworks, pointed out thatclimbers often experience an adrenaline rush due to the inherentfear many people have of heights. Pipeworks relaxed atmospherehelps take the edge off with music playing softly enough to allowconversation but loudly enough to be able to comment on the bandthat is playing.

First-time climbers should beware that a good climbdoesn’t end with an individual looking as put together asthey may have started. Nails break, people sweat, and slipping intothat harness out in the open lends itself to voyeurism. Climbingclothes should allow movement; this doesn’t mean that theyhave to be unattractive. Pick out a cute summer tank top that isabout to be retired for winter and the shorts that show someleg.

Just because the walls are forty feet high doesn’t meanclimbers have to get to the top every time. The other climbers oremployees at Pipeworks are happy to offer help and advice which isawesome when feeling shaky. They even will laugh along with youwhen you find yourself sitting on your ass instead of standingsteadily on your feet. Thank goodness the ground ispadded8212;landing on a chalk bag could result in a small chalkcloud, which in some lights looks like a chalk fart. If it happens,though, laugh it off and move on.

Brandon Applegate, an employee at Pipeworks and fellow collegestudent, says that the best thing about “Friday NightFrenzy” is that he and other penniless college students cancome in and enjoy what Pipeworks has to offer.

When muscles you didn’t know you had start to ache, headfor a nearby place to relax. On 15th and Q Street is the NakedLounge, a café that offers light fare such as scones andbagels along with beverages for a reasonable price.

If a livelier crowd and a drink off tap sounds more appealing,Applegate recommends the Rubicon Brewing Company off of 20th andCapitol Street. After playing Spiderman for the evening, taking thetime to relax and converse with the person whose blood you’vejust heated with every climb and safety check would be the perfectending, unless of course you have a more heart pounding exercise inmind.

For more information about “Friday Night Frenzy”contact Pipeworks at (916) 341-0100 or check out their Web site atwww.touchstoneclimbing.com/tours_pw.html.