Climbing Mountains
By Jenny Pohlman

           Ireland. Washington. California. Colorado. Florida. Wyoming.

            To most people, these sound like great places to take a vacation. But for the Rykhus family, these are more than travel destinations—they’ve actually rock climbed in each of these states and countries!

            Ryan Rykhus, 11, David Rykhus, 13, and Austin Rykhus, 14, have each been actively rock climbing since they were about three years old. Their dad started rock climbing in the Black Hills when he was 19, and passed his love for the adventurous sport onto his sons, who call climbing a “great adventure.”

            “The challenge and the thrill of getting to the top is the best part,” David says.

            About 10 years ago, the Rykhuses built a 20-foot climbing wall in their garage, which is where each of the boys learned how to climb. After mastering the wall, they boys moved onto climbing at Palisades State Park near their home in Brandon, and later at routes in the Black Hills. Today, the Rykhuses rock climb together about once a week at Palisades, but try to get out to the Hills whenever they can to climb some of their favorite routes, which include Toy Boat behind Mount Rushmore, Moonshine Ridge and other Sylvan Lake spots and the Needles. They say the Black Hills is great for climbing because the rock provides more friction, which makes it easier to get a good grip to climb.

            All of this practice has definitely paid off for the Rykhuses. Last year, Austin took first place in the intermediate division of 13 to 21-year-old men at a Sylvan Lake climbing competition, and Ryan recently finished his first climb over 300 feet. The boys also had the opportunity to climb with Beth Rodden and Tommy Caldwell, two of the world’s most accomplished climbers, while on a rock climbing trip in Washington. Though Ryan, David and Austin have become more advanced climbers than many people their age, they say starting out wasn’t easy.

            “When you start it’s a lot like doing a bunch of pull-ups, but for us it was doing them when you’re really young,” Ryan says. “You’re going up the rock using your hands, so it’s pretty easy to fall when you’re moving.”

            For kids who don’t have a parent who climbs, the Rykhuses say taking a class is a great way to learn. The Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls offers classes from time to time, and Sylvan Rocks in the Black Hills has a climbing school. While there isn’t an indoor climbing wall in South Dakota, the Rykhuses recommend the wall in Sioux City, Iowa, for off-season practice. The indoor climbing facility provides all of the necessary gear, someone to belay (hold the rope and anchor the climber) and two and a half hours of climbing for only $5.

            The Rykhuses say that while rock climbing is fun and exciting, the most important thing to think about is being safe. They never climb outdoors alone or without gear, and they urge other young climbers to always use good judgment.

            “Don’t ever climb without an experienced person to show you the ropes or without the right gear,” Austin says. “People who don’t climb the right way give rock climbing a bad name.”

            Each of the Rykhus boys says that climbing is a great activity for people who love to be outside, but aren’t into “typical” sports. Though climbing isn’t as competitive as traditional sports can be, the Rykhuses say the feeling you get after conquering a climb is unbeatable.

            “The satisfaction of getting to the top and knowing that you’ve done it is awesome,” Ryan said.