Twins Sydnie and Samantha Christensson have more in common than what meets the eye; yes, both are juniors and participate in orchestra, and yes they both are students at Perry. But they also share the hidden talent of being skilled, accomplished indoor rock climbers.

Sydnie has gone so far in rock climbing as to successfully climb all of the walls at the Lifetime Fitness gym where she and her sister climbed. Sydnie even tackled a wall that only five people have ever completed in the history of the gym, with her being the fifth. Sydnie states, “that’s a really big achievement…out of everybody of that gym. There’s probably hundreds of people that signed up for this gym, and it’s over several years that only five people were able to climb it.”

Beginning about three years ago, Sydnie recalls how everything started: “Samantha and I both saw this gym, and we were like ‘oh that seems pretty cool.’ So we just started getting really athletic with it, and it kind of just stuck.”

Both explain rock climbing as a diverse sport with options catering to everyone’s wants. Samantha, when describing the types and paths (or “routes” in rock climbing terminology) that climbers can choose, states “there’s free climbing, bouldering, belaying…[routes] can be advanced, they can be easier.” Free climbing consists of climbing without safety ropes, and the climb can go to any height the climber wishes to reach. Bouldering encompasses specific taped routes, typically shorter climbs, that are rope-free, difficult, and intense. Belaying is taped routes that require a rope due to the height of the climb.

Sydnie states that she was able to complete every wall in the gym by belaying: “For a lot of belaying walls, which is climbing thirty, forty feet up with just yourself or you could do it with a partner, which is what Samantha and I did.”

Sydnie also comments on the invitations that were extended out to the “more professional pursuers of rock climbing,” and it was in this way that Sydnie was able to compete against other rock climbers in her age and skill level.

Whether they were scaling inside routes and walls by belaying together or competing against one another, Samantha comments, “it was really fun to be doing it together, something that both of us could do, and have fun with.”

Both sisters pedestal rock climbing as a sport that raised their athletic ability, and also their self-confidence. Samantha states, “If you like being adventurous, and athletic…it’s a great sport for you.” Sydnie adds, “And not only is it athletic ability, but it’s raising your confidence in yourself.”