AUSTIN, Texas – At Crux Climbing Center in South Austin limitations do not exist. The rock climbing gym wants people of all abilities to experience the climb and overcome their challenges.
“Our goal is to take climbing and make it more accessible to the adaptive community,” said rock climbing expert Mark "Huck" Huckeba.
It’s an initiative that first-time climber Bert Jimenez can get on board with. Jimenez is a San Antonio veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and a leg injury.
Jimenez says some of the people that keep him motivated are belayers, people that pull the slack on the rope for the climber.
“When I am afraid to keep going they are like, ‘No, reach out grab that next rock and pull yourself,’ which in life is what you have to do. You have to reach out for that next rock,” said Jimenez.
Another climber at the gym that is wheelchair bound used a special harness and the assistance of several belayers to climb to the top of the wall.
“Just looking at her smile really says it all. It says how I feel, how we as a community feel right now, just totally inspired,” said Crux staff member Kristyn Olson.