Climbing Legends on the Wall: Problems Named After Real Climbers
Each problem is named after a climbing figure and comes with a card describing a real milestone in their career; teams climb, read and discuss. It brings in the sport's history and women's place in it, from the crag to the Olympics.
How to play
- Intro: sport climbing joined the Olympics at Tokyo 2020 and returned at Paris 2024 (3 min).
- Rotate through five problems with cards: Lynn Hill (first free ascent of The Nose on El Capitan, 1993), Josune Bereziartu, Janja Garnbret, Alberto Ginés and one figure chosen by the class; at each station the team climbs and answers a question on the card (what they achieved, what obstacles they faced, what changed in the sport) (15 min).
- Team discussion: why do we know fewer women climbers? What changed with men's and women's events at the same competition? (7 min).
- Each team proposes a name and a milestone for a sixth problem and pitches it in one minute (5 min).
Rules
- Feet under 1.5 m.
- Read the card off the mat.
- One climber per problem.
- In the discussion, hear from everyone on the team before concluding.
Variations
Easier
Three stations and cards with closed questions.
Standard
Five stations with open questions.
Harder
The team researches the chosen figure and makes the card for another class.
Adaptations
- Students with visual impairments: large-print cards or a partner reads them aloud.
- Injured students: card manager and discussion moderator.
- English learners: cards with images and key words.
Learning goals
- Learn real milestones in climbing history.
- Analyze women's role in sport.
- Connect physical practice with sports culture.
Equipment for a class of 25
- wall bars: 10
- gym mats: 10
- colored tape: 5
- climber profile cards: 6
Teacher tip
Build the cards with facts you can verify and skip shaky numbers; Janja Garnbret and Alberto Ginés both won Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020. The usual mistake is letting the reading eat up climbing time: keep each card to half a page.
PatioLab has "Climbing Legends on the Wall: Problems Named After Real Climbers" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More main activities for High School
"Switch!": Talking Defense Against Screens in 3v3
3v3 games where the offense uses ball screens and the defense must decide out loud whether to switch or stay with their player.
“Throw Like a Girl”: Your Other Arm Explains It
In pairs, each student throws with their dominant arm and their other arm while their partner checks technique.
1 vs. 1 Channel Duel: Dodge and Score
In narrow channels, an attacker with the ball tries to reach the line without the defender pulling a tag.