UCC Pathfinders Climb Courageously

By Isaac Meythaler

UCC Communications Coordinator

Suspended 60 feet off the ground, there’s only one thing holding you up: trust. Spiritual lessons in faith like this were experienced first-hand by teens at this year’s Pathfinder Teen Extreme Rock Climbing event April 25-27.

This year saw a large increase in attendance, with 70 teens and 44 adult staff for a total group of 114, representing 17 UCC Pathfinder clubs.

“God provided in miraculous ways and our team really stepped in to make it possible to accommodate the larger group. Rather than controlled chaos, the weekend was characterized by a spirit of enthusiasm, comradery, and encouragement,” said Sara Maniscalco, UCC Teen Extreme Rock Climbing Coordinator.

Pathfinders began arriving at Spokane Valley Adventist School on Friday afternoon for registration and supper. The rest of the evening included group ice breaker activities, worship, and fundamental safety information for climbing. By the end of the evening, everyone was fitted for their gear for the weekend and excited to start climbing the next day.

Sarah Thomas spoke during the weekend’s worships on the event’s theme of courage, challenging teens to have courage to trust and follow God and to speak courage into the lives of others.

“Our goal for the weekend is spiritual and personal growth; rock climbing offers an incredible opportunity to talk about faith, courage, encouragement, and prayer,” said Maniscalco.

After worship on Sabbath, pathfinders headed out to McLellan Rocks in Riverside State Park in North Spokane. In the morning, pathfinders rotated through five stations focusing on learning skills needed for the afternoon: the foundations of rock climbing, rappelling, and belaying, how to use anchors and tools, and a trust fall. In the afternoon, Pathfinders rappelled down rock walls, completed Prussiks, and a horizontal traverse.

To complete a Prussik, climbers use lanyards with Prussik knots to ascend a 30-ft rope, then meticulously descend the same rope in reverse. The Prussik challenges a climber’s strength, flexibility, and endurance, and is a valuable skill for climbers.

“There were many shorter rappels available, but the ‘Big Rappel’ involved a 60-foot rappel off an overhang where the climber ends up free hanging in mid-air away from the rock wall,” said Maniscalco. “Talk about trust!”

After a full afternoon of climbing, pathfinders enjoyed a hearty meal, evening worship, and free time to socialize.

Sunday morning, Pathfinders cleaned up and packed up basecamp at SVAS before heading out for a final day of climbing at Q'emiln Park in Post Falls, Idaho. Pathfinders took turns climbing and belaying each other spread out across 17 ropes on two side-by-side rock walls.

UCC Teen Extreme regularly offers rock climbing, caving, and mountain biking events. UCC has held Teen Extreme events since 2004. Started by Rick Pummel, then lead events coordinator for UCC Pathfinders, who was inspired by similar events he had helped coordinate in Oregon Conference.

For more information on upcoming pathfinder events, see uccsda.org/pathfinders.