Therapeutic Recreation participant Matthew Peel, 23, of Ringgold, smiles after reaching the top of Stone Fort on a solo climb Sunday. Outdoor Chattanooga, Chattanooga Parks and Recreation and volunteers put on the Climbing Higher event.
Cayla Roark, 22, of Birchwood, makes a solo climb Sunday at the Stone Fort alongside the Montlake Golf Course.The chill and blustery weather did nothing to stop a number of extraordinary Chattanooga athletes from hitting the ropes Sunday.
The Climbing Higher program held its second outdoor climbing event at the Stone Fort in the Montlake Golf Course despite gray skies and a brisk wind.
Participants have been practicing at the Urban Rocks climbing gym for nearly five weeks. They were eager to test what they’d learned on the huge rock perched on the course’s 18th tee box.
“Today is a superspecial day,” said Elaine Adams, therapeutic recreation program coordinator. “They’re taking it outside to real rocks.”
Therapeutic recreation, a division of the Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department, provides a number of programs and opportunities for individuals with cognitive, intellectual and physical disabilities.