Suspended 60 feet off the ground, there’s only one thing holding you up: trust. Spiritual lessons in faith like this were experienced first-hand by teens at this year’s Upper Columbia Conference Pathfinder Teen Extreme Rock Climbing event, held April 25–27, 2025.
This year saw a large increase in attendance, with 70 teens and 44 adult staff for a total group of 114, representing 17 UCC Pathfinder clubs.
“God provided in miraculous ways and our team really stepped in to make it possible to accommodate the larger group. Rather than controlled chaos, the weekend was characterized by a spirit of enthusiasm, camaraderie and encouragement,” said Sara Maniscalco, UCC Teen Extreme Rock Climbing coordinator.
Pathfinders began arriving at Spokane Valley Adventist School on Friday afternoon for registration and supper. The rest of the evening included group icebreaker activities, worship and fundamental climbing safety. By the end of the evening, everyone was fitted for their gear for the weekend and excited to start climbing the next day.
Sarah Thomas, climbing instructor, spoke during the weekend’s worships on the event’s theme of courage, challenging teens to have the courage to trust and follow God and to speak courage into the lives of others.
“Our goal for the weekend is spiritual and personal growth; rock climbing offers an incredible opportunity to talk about faith, courage, encouragement and prayer,” said Maniscalco.
After worship on Sabbath, Pathfinders headed out to McLellan Rocks in Riverside State Park in north Spokane. In the morning, Pathfinders rotated through five stations, focusing on learning skills needed for the afternoon: the foundations of rock climbing, rappelling and belaying; how to use anchors and tools; and a trust fall. In the afternoon, Pathfinders rappelled down rock walls, completed Prussiks and a horizontal traverse.
To complete a Prussik, climbers use lanyards with Prussik knots to ascend a 30-foot rope, then meticulously descend the same rope in reverse. The Prussik challenges a climber’s strength, flexibility and endurance, valuable skills for climbers.
“There were many shorter rappels available, but the ‘Big Rappel’ involved a 60-foot rappel off an overhang where the climber ends up free hanging in midair away from the rock wall,” said Maniscalco, “talk about trust!”
After a full afternoon of climbing, Pathfinders enjoyed a hearty meal, evening worship and free time to socialize.
Sunday morning, Pathfinders cleaned up and packed up basecamp at SVAS before heading out for a final day of climbing at Q'emiln Park in Post Falls, Idaho. Pathfinders took turns climbing and belaying each other, spread out across 17 ropes on two side-by-side rock walls.
UCC Teen Extreme regularly offers rock climbing, caving and mountain biking events. UCC has held Teen Extreme events since 2004. Rick Pummel, former UCC Pathfinder lead events coordinator, started the events after being inspired by similar events he had helped coordinate in Oregon Conference.
For more information on upcoming Pathfinder events, see uccsda.org/pathfinders.
Rock climbing gives Pathfinders a tangible test of their trust.
Brave Pathfinders go down the "Big Rappel," 60 feet above the ground, hanging in midair part of the way down.
Credit: Danika Reese
Staff work tirelessly to set up routes ahead of teens and teach them how to climb.
UCC Pathfinders learn to belay their fellow climbers.
Teens gear up to climb.
Credit: Jared Meharry
