Andrés Orozco Moreno delights in his knack for climbing all sorts of natural and artificial objects, a talent discovered in his childhood.
Now 18, the young man from San Juan Cosala is ready and anxious to test his abilities as a member of Mexico’s official team registered to compete in the World Youth Climbing Championships set for August 30 through September 10 in Innsbruck, Austria.
The international sporting event encompasses three forms of scaling artificial climbing walls, usually constructed in indoor settings. Bouldering tests skills in climbing up a tricky obstacle course without the protection of ropes. Speed competition, as the name implies, involves completing a climb in a short time frame. The lead discipline is scored on the basis of reaching top heights.
Orozco loved climbing rocks and trees as a young boy, inheriting his skills from his father, an experienced mountain climber. Four years ago he took up indoor climbing, quickly rising up the ranks in state, regional and national competitions. He recently qualified for a spot on the country’s youth sport climbing team, coming with invitations to compete in Innsbruck and the Panamerican championship in Montreal end the end of October.
Meanwhile, the young climber is facing another kind of obstacle: rustling up enough cash to cover out-of pocket costs for airfare and meals on the journey to the distant Alpine capital of Tyrol. Though he’s managed to build up savings and a couple of sponsorships, he is still about 20,000 pesos short of the needed funds. Anyone interested in chipping in to the cause is welcome to contact him at 333-468-5452 (cel) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for full details.