Before heading out to the parties and bars tomorrow night, why not try something different? Like "Nittany Crank '92: Penn State's first indoor climbing competition."

Eric Wentzel (senior-mechanical engineering), and president of Penn State's Outing Club's Climbing/Mountaineering Division, said the event is designed to be a fun experience that will give beginning climbers the opportunity to pick up new techniques and hints from more advanced climbers.

"Besides being fun, it's a learning process for a lot of people," Wentzel said.

The competition, sponsored in part by the Outing Club's Climbing/Mountaineering Division and Appalachian Ski and Indoors, takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. at the State College Area Family YMCA.

The competition is open to anyone, and the first 35 registrants receive a free T-shirt. The cost is $10 for registrations turned in by today. Registrations will be taken on the day of the competition, but the price goes up to $12.

The competitors will show off their skills on an indoor climbing wall. Prizes will be given to the top two climbers in each division, recreational and advanced, male and female.

But Wentzel doesn't want people to be discouraged by the fact that "Nittany Crank '92" is a competition. He stressed that it's a great way to meet and get to know more people.

The Climbing/Mountaineering Division is just one of a number of divisions that make up the Outing Club. The other divisions include cycling, hiking, Alpine Skiing, equastrian, and canoeing. There are around 250 members in all the divisions combined, Wentzel said.

For Chadd Martin (junior-pre-med.), an officer of the cycling division, the club is basically just a chance to meet people and have fun doing their activity.

"It's just a way for people to get together and have fun," Martin said.

The club as a whole sponsored a Triathlon this fall, Martin said, but generally, each division organizes their own outings and competitions.

People interested in joining the club can find additional information in Room 4 of the I.M. Building or at Appalachian Ski and Outdoors, 324 W. College Avenue.