BY: Emma Price
Hayden Braswell, a Georgia Southern student, is working at Southern Adventures Rock Wall.
She has worked here for three years and is now a top rope belay and lead climber certification.
Hayden is fixing a few things on the rock wall so that they have safe climbing areas.
Each piece of tape indicates a different climbing route.
She had to add a piece to the one missing hold so the climbers knew where to go next.
There are different levels for each color, so everyone can learn.
Hayden is climbing freely up the wall to fix the problem.
"The orange route is a 5.11, which is one step up from beginner."
Hayden had to fill out the stats for the wall.
"It's for us to see how frequently people come by to make sure we have participation."
William Simons is a climber at the wall.
He was being belayed by Hayden while doing course 5.9, a medium route.
Hayden is now fixing one of the holds.
"The wrench allows us to tighten the holds so they don't move when climbing."
Hayden is telling a beginner climber, Jake Doutre, all about what the wall has to offer.
He has never come by to climb before.
Jake is very curious about all the different routes.
Hayden is trying to help him understand.
Hayden is trying to explain the route he should try.
This was in the boulder cave, so it is a free climb with no harness.
Jake attempts the route that Hayden shows him.
He does great for his first time as she talks him through it.
He does great for his first time as she talks him through it.
Jake is trying to jump a hold to grab the next.
"I'm really glad I came to try this and can't wait to come back."
Hayden is taking a rest with her coworkers.
As they wait for more climbers to join them.
Hayden teaches us the knot-tying method.
You have to tie the rope a certain way when getting ready to belay someone.
The special knot is called a hitch knot.
"The knot allows us to sit back in a chair position, giving slack to the person on the wall, or make the rope tight for the climber."
Hayden hung around for a little.
If a climber were in the air, then she could go up to their level to meet them if they were to fall.
Hayden demonstrates a new route for a customer.
They were nervous to try, so she showed them how before attempting.
Hayden is helping the climber.
Though this was a hard move, she did a great job explaining.
Hayden's day came to an end.
She walked to the southern adventures office to clock out.
Hayden is now done with her day and is clocked out.
"Thanks for following my fun day in the life."
