PHR189: Rock-climbing II
It’s a course in which one can gain academic credit while conquering fears of falling and heights, learning personal body strength while taking on a mountainside . . . literally. That’s just the case with Maryville College’s PHR189: Rock-climbing II course.
Although this class may seem unconventional when compared with the “typical academic course,” instructor Tyson Murphy said he sees his rock climbing as “an asset to a liberal arts education.” “This class is not simply avid rock climbers, but includes students who have never tried anything like this before,” Murphy said. “Those students are the ones learning the most and gaining new experiences.”
Murphy also notes that avid or enthusiastic climbers definitely get their “thrills” while learning something new along the way.
A prerequisite to this second-level course, Rock-climbing I (also known as simply Rocks I) is a course where students learn the “basics” of rock-climbing, including safety procedures and how to use climbing equipment and systems properly. Rock-climbing II is a follow-up course that is for “learning rescue techniques and a few new knots, going out, having fun and climbing,” according to Murphy.
No videos or other multimedia are used in this second-level class as demonstration, instead the course is all hands-on, with special emphasis on safety issues and safe climbing practices.
When now-instructor Tyson Murphy ’03 was a student at MC, he was an active participant in the first men’s cross country team and other organizations on campus. Those student interests blossomed into a career. Murphy has spent the last three years working with Mountain Challenge as program manager, and in summer 2006, he became head men’s and women’s cross-country coach.
Locations for the course include Look Rock, the MC climbing wall and tower, and a climbing center in Knoxville.
Murphy also enjoys tackling “climbing myths.” These often include “I’m too short,” “My arms aren’t strong enough,” and “Females are weaker climbers than males.”
In a counter-argument for the “I’m too short” myth, Murphy said, “Often short climbers see and take advantage of foot and hand holds that tall people may skip or fail to see.” He is also quick to point out the "my arms aren't strong enough" myth is often also false. “While arm strength is somewhat important arms hold you to the rock face, leg strength gets you moving vertically,” Murphy said.
Murphy also is disappointed when women try to sell themselves short in climbing. “Women often have more natural climbing ability then males, because males attempt to use all their strength to get to the top,” he said. “Women tend to have better form and fitness as they climb.”
For the first two weeks of the semester, the class meets on Monday’s and Friday’s, 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. For the remainder of the semester, classes meet whenever three or more students have the ability to climb and when their schedules match the instructor’s. “We get in our hours climbing, but it is a very flexible schedule for the most part,” Murphy said. Classes are offered in the morning, evening and on some weekends.
When asked what he hopes his second-level students take away from this course the most, Murphy replied, “Students should walk away with a respect and better understanding of rock-climbing. They should be very aware of the dangers associated with the sport along with the precautions that can be taken to climb safely.
“I hope students can experience the joy of making it up a route they thought they could not finish,” he continued, “and satisfaction associated with trying something new or different.”
