European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 1, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The Challenge of life on the rocks a climber secured by a rope and harness carefully works his Way up the face of a Rock. Four Junior Reserve officer training corps cadets wait for their turn to Rappel Down from their  Chuck Roberts staff writer although he was clinging for dear life to the Side of a Cliff Reginald Timms kept Yelling Quot give me More tension Quot it seemed an Odd request from a 15-year-old who appeared to have enough tension in his body for two weddings three Public speeches and five Job interviews. But the boy standing underneath Timms quickly pulled on the climbing rope and supplied the extra tension. As the rope attached to his climbing harness tightened Timms was Able to relax and finish his climb. Moments later with both of his feet Back on the ground Timms smiled As he talked about the fear he Felt during his climb of about 25 feet. A Quot it was fun but it was scary Quot said Timms. Quot i thought i was going to die up  but nobody Dies in the beginning Rock climbing class taught by Jim Dewitt director of the Giessen outdoor recreation Center in Germany. He said there is a greater Chance of falling or becoming injured getting to a climbing site than climbing on the rocks themselves. He was soon proved Correct. While climbing up a Muddy Hill leading from one climbing site to another two members of Timms group a Junior Reserve officer training corps cadets from Giessen High school a Lay sprawled on the ground laughing after having slipped and fallen. To demonstrate How Safe Rock climbing is the robust Dewitt allowed himself to Quot fall Quot from the Side of the Cliff while one of the smallest cadets supported him by holding the other end of the rope. With has head to the ground and his feet in in air Dewitt explained to his class of beginners that although a person can slip while climbing falling to the Bottom is nearly impossible. Rock climbing is a sport for All Ages. People from 7 to 67 have taken the one Day beginning course taught at Singen Eschbach near Giessen. Dewitt said there was a 92-year-old German Man who climbed the same site As the cadets did five years ago. Quot the course s $15 Cost includes transportation to the climbing Garden instruction and use of equipment. There also Are overnight trips to Bingen and Steinwald for More advanced climbers that Cost $50. Dewitt begins his classes with some Low level mouldering which consists of showing students the Basic moves of Rock climbing at a Safe distance from the ground. Dewitt explains techniques such As using the lower body instead of the upper body As much As possible to save Energy and keeping your backside away from the Mountain to improve balance by not hugging the Mountain. This is followed by an explanation of the different types of equipment and How to use them. Equipment is relatively inexpensive and can be bought at cafes sports stores. A rope harness and rings can be bought for about $185. A rope can be used for As Long As three years. Climbing shoes Cost Between $60 and $150, but sneakers or army boots Are Good substitutes Dewitt said. Then comes the climbing. Going up the Mountain the climber is attached to a rope in a setup similar to a Box being lifted by using a Pulley. A climber could be lifted up and Down a Cliff without using a muscle which some cadets seemed to opt for. The other Way of coping with the Mountain is to Rappel Down similar to the Way soldiers Are taught in Basic training. Rappelling is a one Way trip Down the Mountain that also allows the person to go at his own Pace. Climbers can make As Many trips up and Down the Mountain As they want during the class but most people use Muscles they never knew they had before and Are ready to Call it quits after three or four climbs said Pat Kern program director for the outdoor recreation Center. Climbers who make it to the top but become too tired or frightened to make it Back Down need not worry. Dewitt will bring a person Down the Mountain on his Back if necessary. When Onika cola was unable to make herself Rappel Down the Side of the Rock after two false starts she wanted to give up and walk Down. But Dewitt was determined for her to get Down by using the rope so he talked her into going Down on his Back after convincing her it was Safe. There areas Many different reasons for climbing As there Are ways to climb a Mountain. Many people take r 8 stripes Magazine Augustt 1991