Welcome To Horseshoe Hell
A lot can happen in 24 hours such as an entire day! For rock climbers across the US though the 24 hours owned by last Saturday to Sunday was a full 24 hours of climbing. When I say 24 hours of climbing I mean exactly that. A full 24 hours of solid non-stop rock climbing. The 3rd annual 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell took stage last weekend at the Horseshoe Canyon Ranch near Jasper, Arkansas.
This was the 3rd year for the event with 190 climbers in teams of two at the start. These numbers are up from previous years showing that more and more climbers are coming to the event and not only that they are also training for this athletic feat. Horseshoe Hell is no small task with big names like Sonnie Trotter and Brittany Griffith from team Patagonia competing in the event. 24 hours of climbing is not for those weak in the mind or who might tucker out fast. This is a true competition of endurance of both mind and body.
The start gun went off at 10 a.m. Saturday with climbers dispersing across the ranch in teams of two. Knocking out routes in a fast and steady pace. Climbers stretched as far as the eye could see. Trekking back and forth across the ranch marking routes off their score cards. A real excitement could be felt in the air as teams were making headway.
Towards the strike of midnight a different song was being sung. Exhausted climbers were starting to question themselves asking if they really wanted to push forward. Some second guessing their intentions and begging partners to let them throw in the rope knowing there were still 12 more hours to go.
Teams climbed through the night with routes lit by headlamps and lanterns. Some groups were singing songs and telling jokes to keep each other awake. Various dance parties broke out to excite the sleepy mood. Tired teams would even take quick naps while waiting to tie into their next route.
Into the wee hours of morning climbers moved forward with glazed eyes and exhausted bodies pushing for the goal of making the full 24 hours of Horseshoe Hell. When the finish gun went off at 10 a.m. Sunday 131 climbers finished the competition.
Oklahoma climbers made a great showing in this year’s Horseshoe Hell with 39 climbers participating and three climbers taking wins in the end. Jonathan Stranger got second in the recreational division and Sky Checotah and Rusty Blackmon tied for third in the intermediate category.
Severe fatigue, dehydration, bloody fingers and raw skin was felt by all the climbers, but in the end no matter how beaten their bodies and minds were the 131 climbers that finished can say they beat hell!
Girl vs. Wild,
Jacquelyn Farris