By Emily Baker
You''ve heard of BYU''s quarterbacks, forwards and relay racers. But have you heard of BYU''s 'other' athletes? Have you heard of the rock climbers, kayaking junkies and mountain bikers?
He is probably your chemistry lab partner, or the cute girl who sits next to you in English.
On sunny days, many BYU students grab their climbing gear and head for the canyons.
Utah Valley offers thousands of world-famous climbs in at least five different canyons less than 30 minutes away.
Twenty-four-year old Damon Pullman of Mesa, Ariz., majoring in Russian said, 'There is no greater adrenaline rush than climbing.'
Pullman said, 'Some people think I''m crazy ... but the people I''ve introduced to rock climbing end up loving it.'
Ty Corbridge, a senior from Sandy, majoring in business management said, 'I love the challenge of climbing, but it was the inner challenge with myself that intrigued me.'
Rock climbing is a challenge to the body, mind and soul. 'It''s almost a spiritual experience,' Corbridge said.
Pullman faced Rock Canyon and said, 'Climbing is a part of me, but it doesn''t define who I am ... who I am comes out on the rock.'
Climbing athletes train in fitness gyms, climbing gyms and outdoors. Finger pull-ups, forearm curls and ascending inclined walls build strength and endurance.
Corbridge started 'Y Rocks,' BYU''s rock climbing club with friend Dean Smith two years ago.
Smith, now a BYU graduate at University of Utah''s law school said, 'BYU didn''t want to be associated with a real risky activity for insurance reasons, but we eventually got it approved.'
The two students started the club, 'to meet other climbers and people who wanted to learn,' Corbridge said.
The club climbs both indoors and outdoors several times a semester. Some of the members are now part of Corbridge''s network of climbing friends.
Corinne Russell of Salt Lake, a Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology, just began climbing.
Sweat rolls down her cheek as she rappeled down a route in Rock Canyon Wednesday. 'Today is my longest day of classes ... this helps me get my mind off school and my anxiety,' Russell said.
'Utah has an incredible amount of climbing,' said Mountain Works climbing shop co-owner, Darren Knezek.
Provo is the home of the Quarry. 'It''s the biggest climbing gym in the Rockies-period,' Knezek said.
Utah''s rock, the Quarry Climbing Gym, Y Rocks and classes now offered by BYU''s PE department are a climber''s dream.