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Climbing to the top
POCATELLO - Mandi Janowitz has always been athletic.
So when she enrolled in a rock climbing course at Idaho State University during her freshman year at college, she was immediately hooked on the sport, which pits woman against the elements. ''It's a different kind of athleticism, and I love being outdoors,'' she said. Janowitz, 22, is studying secondary education at ISU and is a member of the ISU track team.
She joined two of her team members Sunday at the ''shady side'' climbing wall at Ross Park to hone their bouldering skills. Bouldering requires climbers to scale the wall moving from rock to rock without safety equipment.
''It's casual climbing,'' Janowitz said. Her favorite place to climb is Massacre Rocks. But she admits her first climb there was a little overwhelming.
''It was just way too high for me,'' she said. ''I was scared to death, but then the adrenaline rush kicked in.'' Rock climbing, Janowitz said, is a sport that puts male and female competitors on a equal level.
''It's more of a finesse sport, it doesn't take brute strength,'' she said. ''It's you against the rock.'' Janowitz, who said she enjoys doing anything outdoors, competes in the heptathlon, a seven-day event held over two days. She also runs in hurdles events.
School might be out, but she doesn't intend to slow down. ''Just this summer I bought a road bike and I hope to compete in a triathlon,'' she said.
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