Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Hanna Copper and I am a competitive rock climber.
What got you started in climbing?
When I was a kid, my parents took me to the Gorge Games in Hood River, OR where I was living. I watched the climbing competition in awe. When I saw Tori Allen win the competition, it lit a small fire in my brain, she had inspired me. My dad built me a climbing wall in my bedroom soon after. We moved to Portland when I was 11 and I found a climbing wall in a fitness center and started climbing in the kids club. Sooner rather than later I wanted more, my sister and I started a team from the kids who were as passionate as we were. I have been climbing ever since, and don’t plan on stopping. It isn’t just a sport for me, it is my lifestyle.
How long have you been climbing?
I have been interested in climbing for 12 years. However If you don’t count the tiny climbing wall in my room, I have been climbing seriously and competitively for 9 years.
What’s your favorite location and why?
Ha, that is an impossible question, there are too many variables.
If I had to answer just one place it would probably be Kalymnos, Greece. Incredible vibe, beautiful scenery, wonderful locals and the craziest amount of perfect rock! I only spent two weeks there and it was not enough. Highly recommended for any sport climbing lover.
Any scary moments?
Yes, scary in the moment but nothing super scary. When I was 14 I was projecting a route named Heinous Cling, 5.12a at Smith Rocks, OR. It is 20 feet to the first bolt another 25 to the second bolt and Between the 3rd and 4th bolts is the crux. If you fall going for the ledge on the crux move, you will take a 30-40 foot whipper! This was my first year leading and I wasn’t too keen on lead falls. I would rather up and down climb the beta intensive crux than go for the huge ledge. It took me two years to go back and do the route. The best part was that I wasn’t afraid of the crux, I was afraid at the first and second bolt.
What about a favorite moment?
2008 Regionals. I had only gotten half way up the finals route and fallen. I felt so disappointed even though I had given it everything I had. I watched the younger category climb the route and most got past where I had fallen. I thought I hadn’t qualified for Divisionals and therefore my season was over. While sitting at awards, they started listing the participants (under 6th place) and my name wasn’t called. 6th place, 5th place, 4th place my name still wasn’t called. 3rd place, was not me either. I was sure they had forgotten me. 2nd place still not me. I thought to myself “great, they forgot me”. I looked over and my mom, the regional coordinator at the time, and she was trying not to smile. 1st place, Hanna Copper. I couldn’t believe it, not only had I qualified for Divisionals, I had won my first big competition. It was the most surprising and best feelings I have felt in my climbing.
How safe is what you do and why?
It depends, it can be super safe, and it can be life threatening. I choose to climb as safe as I can. I have been taught a way that to some is over the top and redundant, but to me is how I keep myself and the people I climb with safe. It’s like choosing to ride a bike with or without a helmet. Climbing is as safe as you choose to make it.
How do you train/workout?
I have been on a climbing team for most of my climbing career. It is a hard transition from coach to no coach. So I have found my current coach, Bob Dolan and he is helping me through the transition by providing me with written work out plans. I know a lot about training but there many things I still need to learn in order to effectively train myself. One thing that has always been important is to make one day of the week a fun day for climbing. Meet up with friends and just climb because you love it. It’s what keeps me grounded and focused.
How do you eat?
I drink tons of water, and I try to eat as healthy as I can. Cookies, ice creme, milk shakes, junk food. I try to only eat those things once in a while and I don’t keep them in the house. I like to keep dried fruit and fresh veggies to snack on instead. The one thing I have cut out and have noticed a huge difference in the way I feel is soda. I stopped drinking soda and my body clearly felt way better.
Best advice for someone wanting to start climbing?
Go to a local climbing gym and take an intro class. I used to teach the intro classes at the Circuit Gym in Portland, OR. You get to learn from people who are experienced in climbing, and you can learn safe and effective climbing techniques. If you know someone who climbs, have them go with you. In my experience climbers love to share their sport with other, as do I. Ask a lot of questions as they come to you and have fun. Climbing should be fun.
