When he's not working on his Ph.D. in Materials Science, graduate Engineering student Aarash Sofla spends almost every weekend hanging by a rope from a steep mountain. As a former tour guide in Iran, Sofla frequently teaches fellow students and Outdoors Club members who are interested in learning how to rock climb. The students usually do not have much, if any, experience. Sofla doesn't do this as a job, however, but simply for pleasure.
"In Iran I was a tour guide and was paid, which took the fun out of it, because, when you're paid, it becomes a 'job,'" he said.
A major difference between rock climbing in Iran and in the United States, according to Sofla, is the type of mountains that can be found to climb.
"In Iran, mountains are higher and more difficult," Sofla said. "Here, there are not real mountains."
Sofla explains that there are different kinds of climbing, such as on just rock or ice. His favorite environment is a mix of the two elements.
While Sofla said he practices whenever he has free time, he said rough weather can present a problem.
"You can do it in most weather, except in the really cold and in rain," Sofla said.
Sofla said rock climbers have to practice a lot in order to strengthen their endurance, which explains the common sightings of people climbing the walls outside of Brown College and around the Newcomb Hall area.
"Lots of physical endurance is needed," Sofla said. "If I miss a day of practice then I will not be able to climb a mountain I was able to do a week earlier."
Because climbing requires such persistence and hard work, Sofla said, it is a hobby that can be very time-consuming.
"It takes a lot of time, but we love it," Sofla said of why he and his rock-climbing companions stick with the grueling pastime.
Sofla explained that the scales used to measure the difficulty of a climb can vary, but the most common is from approximately zero to 15, with 15 being the hardest. He said the scales are a bit like ski slope difficulty ratings, but on a mountain, there can be 4,000 different paths. Climbers choose the most appropriate path for their skill level. Sofla said climbing gets really hard at about 11 on the scale, and he is currently at 12. There are only a few fifteens in the world, Sofla said.
In Charlottesville, Sofla estimated there is one person at the 13 level.
Not only is rock climbing time consuming and physically demanding, it can lead to many dangers. Sofla said he has witnessed some accidents, but nothing he has seen has deterred him from climbing. He said the hobby brings about both fear and excitement.
"I am scared every time I climb," Sofla said. "But it is fun."
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