Granite Gripper: The phrase "get a grip" takes 
on a whole new meaning for one group of outdoor 
enthusiasts. That's coming up 
on Passport To Texas.


Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife. 


Gail McClanahan remembers the first time she ever 
attempted to climb Enchanted Rock.


"Well about 20 years ago I took a class there with a 
guide service, and I just fell in love with it immediately 
so I went out and bought some shoes and a harness and 
some rope and started going out with different people 
in Austin and climbing and I've climbed for 20 years steady, 
and just love it (laughs)." 


So when the Central Texas Climbing Committee, where she 
serves at Secretary, wanted to give something back to the 
natural area, they decided to hold...a climbing contest.


"The Granite Gripper is the largest and oldest fundraiser 
for the park. Last year we raised several thousand 
dollars and we gave it to the Friends of Enchanted Rock." 


In its 14th year, the Granite Gripper is now considered 
the state's oldest rock climbing competition open to 
sport, traditional and boulder routes. 


"The contest is for people of all ages and all abilities 
and the unique part is that we promote traditional 
climbing so we get additional points for leading on 
natural protection and using removable gear, such as 
cams and nuts. And they have different scoring whether 
you top rope it, or lead it or lead it on traditional 
gear and then we count the top five and we tally it up 
and then we give prizes to the top three people in each 
category." 


This year's Granite Gripper will be held October 15th 
and 16th at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. For more 
information, go to our website, passporttotexas.org. For 
Texas Parks and Wildlife, I'm Cecilia Nasti.