Page 100 - 1993

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GRADE 9 FACES!
Doing a Vertical Dance!
A loose rock or failed foothold could mean the difference between life and death for enthusiasts of this recreational activity. It is this death defying challenge and the excitement of a perfect vertical dance that has invited Eli McCaffrey to the ominous vertical escarpments in Simcoe County for the past five years.
Shane Mather Jackie Maughan Krista McAllister Mark McAllister Michael McDermid Christopher McEachern Nic McEwen
Luke McGillvray Ryan McKee Chris McKenzie Nelson McLeod Ken McNeil Christopher McNicol Josh McNulty
Sara McQueen Kristy Melanson Bryan Mercier Ian Miller Jason Miller David Moran Laurie Moran
Casey Morrison Darren Neil Michael Neil Jennifer Nichols Brent Nobes Marcos Pearson Christa Peddle
"I like rockclimbing because there is a lot of problem solving involved." said the 19-year-old. "It is a real mental and physical thing. Sometimes you have to re-plan your route in midstream because footing might not be there or may not be a place in your hand to keep you balanced."
McCaffrey was first attracted to the sport of rockclimbing while in Australia on an international jamboree. "A lot of my friends thought that I had a death wish or something, but later realized that rockclimbing is a safe sport.
Eli admits there is an element of risk in- volved but "it is a very safe sport as long as you know your limitations and don't take any stupid chances."
McCaffrey's training includes climbing an artifical climbing wall on the side of his house, cycling, pullups on a 112" fingerboard and the odd trip to Rockheads.
Eli's goal is to become a certified rockclimb- ing instructor. If everything goes as planned, he will reach his goal by this time next year.
-an interview with Eli McCaffrey
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