It is widely known that rock climbing is an outdoor recreation that involves a high degree of physical risk while exploring nature. So it brings up questions about what encourages or motivates rock climbers to engage in such extreme sport, and about resulting special experiences. That led us to interview four adventurers with diverse years of experience who devote time and effort to complete climbing routes in Puerto Rico and have climbed crags in other destinations. If you are curious just like we were, you may like reading these Puerto Rican rock climbers’ responses, as we summarized them below.

Synopsis of Puerto Rican Rock Climbers’ Introspection:

1) Jorge Rodríguez, 33-year experience rock climber and 10-year experience sport climbing instructor

a) Usual type of routes climbed and grades: Single-pitch and multi-pitch routes
Puerto Rico: 5.10 c- 5.12 a, Mainland U.S. and other countries: 5.9 - 5.11 a

b) Examples of rock climbing spots explored:

Besides The Nose route at El Capitán in Yosemite National Park, California, he has climbed crags in Puerto Rico and continental U.S. (e.g.: Red River Gorge, Kentucky; Red Rock Canyon, Nevada; Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, Arkansas; Shawangunks, New York). He has also climbed in other countries’ spots (e.g.: Kalymnos Island, Greece; El Chorro and Montanejos, Spain; Potrero Chico, Mexico; Arenales Valley, Argentina; and Squamish Chief and Whistler Mountain, Canada.)

c) Personal motives to do rock climbing:

To be able to do a sport at his age that few people can do. To find a wall that no one has ever climbed.

d) Personal rewards resulting from rock climbing:

Rock climbing induces relaxation and is a driver for good physical condition and other wellness choices. It is a lifestyle that lets explore the world and appreciate beauty of Planet Earth as you climb big walls in diverse countries.

e) Distinctive thoughts or feelings after reaching the peak or climbing particular routes:

Relaxation, fulfillment, joy, and more appreciation of life. In particular, he felt reborn right after climbing Time Wave Zero route in Potrero Chico, Mexico.

f) Places where most impressive views were seen:

(i) Kalymnos Island, Greece, (ii) Time Wave Zero route in Potrero Chico, Mexico, and (iii) multi-pitch routes on crag in Salinas, Puerto Rico.

2) Orlando Torres, 10-year experience rock climber

a) Usual type of routes climbed and grades: single-pitch routes
Puerto Rico: 5.10 a - 5.11 c , Mainland U.S.: 5.10 a - 5.10 b

b) Examples of rock climbing spots explored:

Crags in Puerto Rico and continental U.S. (Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, Arkansas; and Deep Creek, Cumberland Trail State Park, and Sunset Park, Tennessee).

c) Personal motives to do rock climbing:

It serves as relaxing therapy and requires concentration on every detail.

d) Personal rewards resulting from rock climbing:

Peace and calmness. Being part of the rock climbing community. Orlando is grateful of community’s solidarity shown after he had an unrelated accident and had to learn to climb with a prosthesis on his right leg.

e) Distinctive thoughts or feelings after reaching the peak or climbing particular routes:

(i) Crag in Bayamón, Puerto Rico- great satisfaction following 6-month effort to figure out all moves to climb a specific route.

(ii) Spots in Ciales and Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico- different appreciation of Puerto Rico’s grandeur and beauty while staring at precious views.

f) Places of most impressive views seen following rock climbing:

Routes in Puerto Rico crags, such as the ones in Salinas, Bayamón, Ciales and Juana Díaz.

3) Mariely Bonilla,15-year experience rock climber

a) Usual type of routes climbed and grades: single-pitch routes
Overall routes: 5.10 a - 5.12 b

b) Examples of rock climbing spots explored:

She has climbed crags in Puerto Rico and continental U.S. (e.g.: Red River Gorge, Kentucky; Shawangunks, New York; Rifle Canyon, Colorado; Maple Canyon, Zion National Park and Lambs Knoll, Utah; and Red Rock Canyon, Nevada). Also, she has climbed routes in Dominican Republic (e.g.: Playa Frontón, Sanamá; Conde de Maná, San Cristóbal; and crags in Bayahibe), among others.

c) Personal motives to do rock climbing:

To relax. Accept a challenge when dared by others to climb a particular route.

d) Personal rewards resulting from rock climbing:

Satisfaction from figuring out moves to complete route after lots of effort and training as well as relaxation, and physical and emotional strength. Also, rock climbing at other countries gives the opportunity to be exposed to other cultures and rock types and enables learning other climbing styles.

e) Distinctive thoughts or feelings after reaching the peak or climbing particular routes:

A lot of pride after completing difficult routes on a crag in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

f) Places of most impressive views seen following rock climbing:

Playa Frontón Rock Climbing Spot in Sanamá, Dominican Republic.

4) Luis Miguel Rivera (a/k/a Luismi), 6-year experience rock climber

a) Usual type of routes climbed and grades: single-pitch and multi-pitch routes
Puerto Rico: 5.10 c - 5.12 d, Mainland U.S.: 5.10 c- 5.12 a

b) Examples of rock climbing spots explored:

Crags in Puerto Rico and continental U.S. (Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah; Red Rock Canyon, Nevada; and Joshua Tree National Park, California).

c) Personal motives to do rock climbing:

The adrenaline rush, to connect with nature, and to figure out how to complete difficult routes which may require months of training.

d) Personal rewards resulting from rock climbing:

Appreciation of diverse scenic views and types of rock and trees, and exploration of places visited for the first time. Quality time with friends, and satisfaction from personally figuring out moves to complete routes.

e) Distinctive thoughts or feelings after reaching the peak or climbing particular routes:

(i) Crag in Salinas, Puerto Rico- he felt fortunate and as if he were in another universe after seeing clouds underneath from where he was standing.

(ii) Spot in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico- he was amazed by lots of fog at the peak area.

f) Places of most impressive views seen following rock climbing:

Western crag in a rock climbing spot in Salinas, Puerto Rico.

In general, relaxation and personal challenges turned out to be prevailing reasons for these rock climbers to be willing to set up the sporting gear and climb cliffs. Decompression, satisfaction, and appreciation of Mother Earth from a different perspective are some of the resulting rewards and special feelings valued by this group of adventurers. It is curious and at the same time reasonable that calmness characterizes this demanding activity.

If you are interested in an orientation about sport climbing and related lessons in Puerto Rico, you may contact certified instructor Jorge Rodríguez, d/b/a Rock Climbing Puerto Rico, at 787-439-9662. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced lessons are available. If you are a rock climber who wants to explore Puerto Rico crags, you may browse Aventuras Tierra Adentro’s website to read information about some sport climbing spots in this Caribbean island. W: https://www.aventurastierraadentro.net