By: Program Director and Rock Climbing Guru, Tony Minter
Day 1: Rock Climbing Meetup and Departure
As the sun dipped below the horizon, families gathered in the Youth Odyssey parking a lot, the crisp autumn air filling the space with excitement. Veteran campers, rock climbers, and their families exchanged greetings as the youth packed their gear into the trailer. New campers, scanning the crowd for familiar faces from school programs, lit up when they spotted their facilitators, the first sign of camaraderie among strangers. The Youth Odyssey team called everyone into a check-in circle as the departure time drew near. Participants and parents alike shared their hopes for the upcoming adventure. Many youth expressed excitement about the climbing ahead and the opportunity to make new friends. Parents, with a mix of pride and humor, looked forward to seeing their children grow in confidence – and perhaps relished the thought of a few peaceful days at home.
With the final pieces of gear stowed away, the campers and Youth Odyssey team piled into the van, ready for the journey. Laughter and chatter filled the air as the drive to Emma Long Park began. Campers—both veterans and first-timers—soon found themselves talking, joking, and bonding over the shared anticipation. Around 10:30 pm, the van pulled into Emma Long. The Youth Odyssey team quickly gathered the campers, assigning campsite duties and setting up procedures. Experienced youth leaders guided the newer campers through tent setups, with Araceli and Kenadee taking the lead on the women’s side of camp, helping five different campers arrange their sleeping spots. By 11:45 pm, everyone had a cozy place to sleep, ready for the early start of climbing the next day.
Day 2: Seismic Wall Climbing, Crafts, and Gardens
The chilly morning at Emma Long greeted campers with thick mist hovering over Lake Austin. The previous late night left everyone bleary-eyed, but the promise of climbing was enough to get them moving. After a quick breakfast of muffins and bagels with cream cheese, the group gathered around a picnic table to gear up for the day. Campers sorted through climbing ropes, helmets, and harnesses, the buzz of excitement rising as the plan for the day came together.
Before long, we were on our way to Seismic Wall, where Tommy and Steve —two of my old climbing partners from the 90s—had already set up three routes ahead of the crowds. As we gathered for our traditional Youth Odyssey Check-In Circle, we shared our personal goals for the day. Araceli, eager to conquer Over Easy, a challenging 5.9b route that had defeated her last year, set her sights on a successful climb (spoiler: she crushed it!). Cruz, this year’s Izzy Award recipient, was determined to red-point a lead climbing route. After warming up on some of the pre-set top ropes, Cruz took charge and set up a fourth rope for the group.
Other campers had big goals too: Devin, Armando, Chase, and Rebecca were set on climbing every route on the wall, while first-time climbers Brianna and Vinny hoped to reach the top of at least one route—goals they quickly exceeded, each claiming multiple ascents. Meanwhile, Hannah, Camryn, and Kenadee, a little apprehensive about climbing, focused on belaying and keeping everyone safe. But even they found the courage to climb, taking turns on the sharp end of the rope to tackle climbing problems.
Soon, Kristen, Youth Odyssey’s former Ropes Course Manager, appeared on the scene. Now teaching rock climbing for REI in Austin, Kristen was welcomed warmly by the veteran campers, who were eager to reminisce about past camps and introduce her to the newcomers. She jumped in to support the climbers, offering tips and encouragement, and even belaying some of the participants. The day took an exciting turn when Kristen and Steve started talking about Diving for Rocks, a challenging 5.10d route they had worked on the previous year. Tommy offered to lead the route again so they could continue their progress. As they climbed, Cruz, Chase, and Devin couldn’t resist the challenge and asked for a turn.
Watching them work through the tough moves was inspiring, but nothing prepared us for what happened next. Chase, on only his second climbing trip ever, somehow managed to stick the crux move—a dynamic leap for handholds on an overhanging ledge. With his hands secure, he pulled off a double heel hook and hung upside down, looking like a bat, before finishing the climb. The cheers that erupted from the group were deafening as Chase stood on the ledge, tapping the chains in triumph. Ecstatic, Chase asked Tommy to lock off the belay, savoring the moment and taking in the view from the top. It was a highlight of the day—a reminder of how climbing brings out unexpected strength and spirit.
As the afternoon stretched on, we said our goodbyes to Tommy, Steve, and Kristen, and began packing up gear for a more laid-back part of the day. Our next stop: a relaxing stroll through the Zilker Botanical Gardens. Stepping out of the van, we were immediately drawn to the Children’s Garden, home to a variety of unique, handmade musical instruments. Many of our campers, eager to share their talents, took turns playing these rugged instruments, impressing everyone with their lively, complex tunes. We facilitators couldn’t help but smile, amazed by the creativity and skill on display.
After the impromptu concert, we wandered down the path to the Butterfly Garden. Although it was autumn and the usual pollinators were scarce, the campers enjoyed discussing the differences between the flora in Central Texas and the Coastal Bend back home. As we explored the Japanese Garden, our very own Erica Salinas, recently certified as a Texas Master Naturalist, captivated the group with her plant identification skills, turning the garden into an outdoor classroom.
As evening approached and the air grew crisp, we made our way back to the van, ready for a delicious dinner at Conan’s Pizza, a favorite Austin spot. The day had been full of surprises and wonder, and everyone was eager to cap it off with some well-deserved pizza and laughter.
Day 3: Gus Fruh Wall Climbing and the State Capitol
The next morning, everyone emerged from their tents with a bit more energy than the day before, thanks to a full night of rest. After a quick breakfast of bagels with cream cheese and yogurt with granola, we were soon heading toward the Gus Fruh Wall, ready for another adventure.
Upon arriving at the Guide’s Wall section of Gus Fruh, we were thrilled to find that Tommy had already set up top ropes on a variety of routes, ranging from 5.6 to 5.8. Kristen rejoined the group shortly after we arrived, and the campers immediately dove into the challenge with enthusiasm. Kenadee, Camryn, and Hannah, fueled by the previous day’s successes, set their sights on the top of the wall. With each attempt, they came closer and closer to the chains. Meanwhile, Vinny, Rebecca, and Brianna were determined to top every route on Guide’s Wall, building on their progress from Seismic.
For those craving a bigger challenge, Chase, Devin, and Cruz turned their attention to a 5.9 on the neighboring Kingdom of Ging wall. Eager for a shot at the route, they struck up a conversation with a group of University of Texas climbers, who were happy to let them have a turn. The friendly exchange between our Youth Odyssey crew and the UT climbers was a highlight, as they cheered each other on, swapped beta, and supported one another through the tough moves on the overhanging block that formed the crux of the route.
Around midday, my stepdaughter Abby, an outstanding climber and route setter for the Austin Bouldering Project, joined us. She greeted Kristen and Araceli, who had climbed with her at last year’s camp, and then introduced herself to Tommy and Erica, who were chatting nearby. When Abby arrived, Tommy and I were reminiscing about our time climbing Gus Fruh together back in the summer of ‘98. Tommy shared the story of his first lead fall on Thumbdance, a 5.10c on that wall, and I mentioned that Thumbdance was special to me too, as it was the first 5.10 I’d ever climbed. I joked that wouldn’t mind taking another shot at it if Abby was up for leading it. Not having climbed the route before, Abby was game—and made it look effortless as she powered through the climb.
As Tommy, Kristen, and I followed Abby’s lead on top rope, Cruz, Devin, Chase, and Brianna gathered to watch. Naturally, they were all eager to try the route themselves. Each one of them moved with impressive confidence through the 5.8 approach, and when they hit the 5.10c crux—a tricky, balance-intensive move with thin feet and slope- y handholds—they showed determination. After a few false starts and a brief hang-dog to study the move, Cruz nailed the crux and smoothly cruised to the chains.
Brianna, although she didn’t make it through the crux, displayed beautiful grace and balance on
the lower part of the climb. Her transformation from a hesitant climber on the first day at Seismic to the confident, poised climber we saw on Thumbdance was nothing short of inspiring. Brianna is one to watch on future climbing trips—her potential is undeniable. As the afternoon stretched on and the wall began to clear out, it was time to head back to the van. Our next stop was the Texas State Capitol, where we enjoyed a brief self- guided tour of the iconic building.
Since backpacks weren’t allowed inside, Robert volunteered to watch over our gear from a bench outside. Inside, the campers were in awe of the grandeur of the Capitol dome and the portraits of Texas governors that lined the walls. Camryn set out on a mission to find the portrait of Texas’s first governor, James Henderson. We wandered through the Capitol, soaking in the sights, from the legislative library to the original governor’s office and the historic Texas Supreme Courtroom. We even had the chance to stand in the gallery of the State House of Representatives. Kenadee, ever curious, spotted the names on the Texas State Representatives’ offices and excitedly searched for the office of our Corpus Christi representative, Todd Hunter, whom she had seen speak at Youth Odyssey’s Fiesta fundraising gala.
After a day filled with climbing and history, we made our way back to Emma Long Park. Robert and Erica were already hard at work preparing a delicious dinner of walking tacos for the camp, while I took a group of youth to the park’s shower facilities to refresh after a busy day. As the evening drew to a close, we gathered for our debrief, where everyone shared stories of how they had pushed beyond their limits and celebrated each other’s accomplishments. The day had been filled with growth, laughter, and learning—but with the stars above and the promise of more adventures tomorrow, we knew it was time to crawl into our tents and dream of what was yet to come.
Day 4: Pease Park, Barton Springs, and Austin Bouldering Project
The third night of camping always brings the best sleep, and today was no exception. With no climbing on the agenda until the evening, we enjoyed a leisurely morning around camp. Robert and Erica, our camp chefs, treated us to breakfast tacos, while I led a brief flint-knapping demonstration for the campers. By noon, we set off for Pease Park to meet the Austin Peace Troll, Malin. The campers couldn’t resist admiring and snapping photos with the colorful character before we headed to the nearby Treehouse. There, a game of Concentration broke out, drawing in other kids at the park. It was a great moment of connection and fun before we wrapped up with a stop at the picnic tables to make sandwiches for lunch.
After refueling, we made our way to Barton Springs Pool for a refreshing swim. The campers wasted no time, racing down to the water and swimming straight for the diving board. Under the watchful eye of the lifeguards, they perfected their cannonballs, cheering each other on for the biggest splashes. Around 3:30 p.m., it was time to head over to the Austin Bouldering Project to meet Kristen for a bit of gym climbing. In small groups, the campers explored the gym, trying out various routes and challenging each other. Hannah, now brimming with confidence and new climbing skills, quickly became a trendsetter for the group. She discovered a balance-y V8 route, and soon Cruz, Devin, and Chase were working together to tackle it, building on Hannah’s beta and making impressive progress.
A few minutes later, we found Hannah on another tough challenge: a steep, overhung V6. Watching her pull through the overhanging holds with ease was nothing short of inspiring—especially when you consider that on the first day at Seismic, she wasn’t sure she even wanted to climb. Today, she was conquering difficult routes with confidence, a true testament to her growth throughout the trip. After capturing one last group photo with Kristen, we said our goodbyes to the Austin Bouldering Project and made our way back to camp.
Erica and Robert, our camp chefs, prepared a delicious fajita dinner and hot chocolate waiting for us. Once we had our fill, we settled in for a few rounds of riddle games, laughing and testing our wits under the night sky. As the evening wore on, happy, exhausted campers started drifting back to their tents for our final night at Emma Long. But before we retired for the night, Erica had a special treat in store. Each camper was given a Nalgene bottle filled with hot water to tuck into the foot of their sleeping bag, offering a little extra warmth on this chilly night. It was the perfect touch to end our memorable stay.
Day 5: Homeward Bound!
As the sun rose on our final morning in Austin, the campers sprang into action, striking camp and packing away tents, sleeping bags, and gear. The trailer was soon loaded, and we gathered around the table for one last grab-and-go breakfast. It was the perfect moment for our traditional High-Low-Buffalo debrief, where everyone shared stories of personal growth, appreciation for each other’s support, and plenty of laughs over funny moments from the trip. With smiles and full hearts, we piled into the van and headed back to Corpus, bringing the Second Annual Thanksgiving Climbing Trip to a close.
Stay tuned for our next adventure…
