Starting in February, I will introduce ten recovering Wounded Warriors to rock climbing. I will bring them from Walter Reed to Sport Rock in Gaithersburg.

There will be about eight trips to Sport Rock between February and August. Around September 10th, these warriors will be flown out to the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah for a Paraclimbing and Adaptive Sports Camp that starts on September 11th.

The National Ability Center is a non-profit organization in Park City, Utah that provides world-class adaptive recreation and outdoor adventures for individuals and families of differing abilities. Climbable participants will stay in lodging on the National Ability Center’s 26-acre campus, and then start the camp on Wednesday, September 11. The itinerary is available in the photo below.

Sportrock is one of the founding rock climbing gyms in the country and was the FIRST commercial climbing gym in the DC metro area. Sportrock has locations in Gaithersburg (MD), Alexandria (VA), and Sterling (VA).

The Front Climbing Club, formerly known as The Body Shop, was one of the first commercial climbing gyms in the country. Since 1989, The Front has helped ignite and foster a close-knit climbing community throughout Utah.

When starting your journey as a Wounded Warrior, life changes instantaneously. You get used to this new life full of surgery, doctor’s appointments, trips to the pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, starting VA claims, and you may rely heavily on pain medication just to get through recovery.

If a Wounded Warrior wants a fighting chance of making it in the civilian world, they need to find themselves and they need to find community. They also need to navigate the herculean task of figuring out their disability identity. Additionally, many Wounded Warriors’ goal is to continue serving their country. Unfortunately there is an extremely high chance that their injuries will prevent them from returning to duty. I have seen and experienced how lost you feel as you’re forced to begin transitioning out of the military, to feel like you are slowly losing this world that was such a huge part of your life.

There is HERE!

I have learned that climbing is a lot like life. Every route is different with its own set of challenges and obstacles. Veterans love a good challenge. You have to keep moving forward even if you are not sure you can make it to the top. You learn that there is beauty in the struggle.

Like the military, a climber learns to find comfort in uncomfortable places. You learn there’s a sense of accomplishment that comes with every step, every reach, and every hold. You are reminded that we’re capable of so much more than we think. You are reminded that even when things seem impossible, you have the strength and resilience to push through. These are some of the major reasons I keep coming back. Climbing has taught me that it’s not just about reaching the top, it’s about the journey.

I know that no matter where life takes me, I’ll always have climbing and community. I aspire for others to come to these same realizations much earlier in life than I did.

Climbable is supported by Move United and hosted by the National Ability Center. I have also partnered with Sport Rock, The Front, Malcom Godowski, Aaron Davis, Nat Vorel, and Tanner Jones.

Malcom Godowski is a USA Climbing Certified Level 2 Coach with 13+ years of competitive coaching and 18 years of climbing experience. He has a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science. He will share stories, teach, coach, and inspire.

Aaron Davis is a level 4S USA Climbing Routesetter. He will be flown in to set IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup and World Championship style routes at Sport Rock, The Front, and the National Ability Center.

Nat Vorel and Tanner Jones are both AMGA Single Pitch Instructor mountain guides. Tanner Jones is a Marine Corps veteran and Wounded Warrior. Nat Vorel is a current athlete on the US Paraclimbing Team (RP3). I met them both while competing on the US Paraclimbing Team. They will share their experiences while guiding and helping teach the classes built into the itinerary.

Absolutely! Different swag is available at different donation levels:

$15 – Climbable Keychain

$25- Climbable Die Cut Stickers or Car Decal

$35- Climbable Group Photo Print

$50- Climbable T-shirt

$75- Climbable T-shirt and Group Photo Print

$100- Climbable flag

$250- All of the above

$1000- Climb, eat lunch, and take a photo with the participants

$2500- Title Sponsorship includes “Climbable presented by SPONSOR”, a two person experience, and access to images & quotes

Absolutely! Email me at jaredlenahan@gmail.com

• Rock climbing gear for participants (chalk, chalk bags, harnesses, belay devices, carabiners, & climbing shoes)
• Sport Rock (payment for day passes including rental gear)
• The Front (payment for day passes including rental gear)
• Aaron Davis (payment for adaptive route setting at Sport Rock, The Front, and National Ability Center)
• Malcom Godowski (payment for USA Climbing Coach)
• Tanner Jones and Nat Vorel (payment for guiding and classes)
•  Flights to National Ability Center for Aaron, Malcolm, Tanner, Nat Vorel, a Doctor from Walter Reed, Colt Bradley (a documentary filmmaker), and myself
• Swag

Extra money will go towards more trips to Sport Rock, better gear for the participants, and better pay for coaches, guides, and route setters.