CLIMBING TO THE TOP

Lisa Lage, daughter of Senior Master Sergeant Steven and Karen Lage, 43 Civil Engineer Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, has earned the second place national ranking in the 14 -15 year-old women's division of the Junior Competition Climbing Association. As a result of her high placing, Lisa was selected to be a member of the 1998 U.S. Youth Climbing Team and will compete against junior climbers from around the world at The Junior International Climbing Challenge in Mission Cliffs, California, on October 17. This is Lisa's second year as a member of the U.S. Youth Climbing Team.


At the 1998 BlueWater/JCCA National Championship, held August 15-16, 1998, at Rock'n & Jam'n in Thornton, Colorado, Lisa placed second in a field of 25. Lisa earned her invitation to the National Championship by remaining undefeated in the mid-Atlantic region of the JCCA throughout the 1998 regular competition season.

Lisa first tried climbing at a portable outdoor wall in August 1996, and liked it so much that she began climbing regularly at an indoor rock gym. A few months later, she climbed on real rock for the first time and was totally hooked. Lisa's dedication to climbing led to the opportunity to climb in the Aveyron Gorge of Southern France this summer with world champion climber Robyn Erbesfield!

When asked why she climbs, Lisa answers, "I love the challenge of tough bouldering problems and the satisfaction of completing difficult routes. I also enjoy training and climbing with my friends." Lisa trains at The Climbing Place in downtown Fayetteville.


Congratulations Lisa!