Linn Poston stares up at the 60-foot climbing wall, their hands moving from left to right, tracing and committing each move to memory. Poston is a 16-year-old with low vision from Lakewood, Colorado, and one of the top blind paraclimbers in the country.

We sat down with Linn and their father, Scott Poston, to discuss winning gold at the USA Climbing National Paraclimbing Championships and what comes next for their family.

Q&A with Linn

I climbed three days a week, doing a mix of boulder, lead, and occasional top rope at Movement. I also recently introduced the Kilter board in order to train dynamic climbing. Two days a week, I would get up early and hang board and strength train. In the beginning of the season, I did more traditional strength training, but later, I switched to very climber specific exercises. One day was an open day, so sometimes I would do a climbing comp, other times I would run, and in the winter, I would ski. I had one rest day each week. The hardest part about training was getting up early in order to work around my school schedule.

Take us through how you were feeling at the National Championships in Oakland. What was the most challenging part of the competition?

At Nationals, I was very excited because this year was the first year with my new caller*, Rosario. This year’s comp also had the most competitors in my category and overall. It was great seeing how much the paraclimbing community has grown since I started. The most challenging part of the competition was that I couldn’t get on the walls in the transition area on finals day; the only thing to keep your fingers warm was a small portable hang board that was hanging from a draw.

Communication with Rosario went really well. She was really good at staying calm, even when I was in really cruxy sections, which helped me relax, focus, and make it through. The only thing that caught me off guard was the middle crux. About 60% of the way up the wall, there was a hard traversing boulder problem, and I was having a hard time with it. I was not certain on what I wanted to do, and I knew if I didn’t move with confidence, I would fall. It felt like a lot of pressure because I didn’t realize I was 60% of the way up; I thought I was maybe 30% of the way up. I thought that if I was already struggling at 30%, my chances of making the team were going to diminish. Once I got through the section, and saw the top, I knew that I had miscalculated my distance, and some pressure was relieved.

*A caller is a person who yells commands on where the holds are, what movement and what direction to help the climber better move on the wall.

Rosario, Linn's caller, demonstrating a move on a training route at Movement Englewood.

Now that you’ve achieved so much, what’s next for you in your climbing career and personal life?

For this season, I am ultimately training for the Paraclimbing World Championships in Seoul South Korea, but long term, I would like to go to the Paralympics in 2028. This summer, I also want to do some more outdoor climbing and projecting. There is a climb in Keystone, Colorado called Crystal Ball that I plan on projecting once the snow melts. In my personal life, I am going to keep pursuing my passion for cello and trombone, and am hoping to start more freelancing. I will also be focusing on school since I have college applications next fall.

Q&A with Scott, Linn's father

What was it like for you to watch Linn compete in the National Championships and ultimately win gold?

I have watched Linn climb in so many competitions, but I have always been Linn’s caller and coach. As Linn’s caller, I don’t get to really watch the climb as I’m so focused on calling out the moves and holds. I don’t even really see the climb until afterwards when I watch the replay. But at the National Championships this year Linn had a new caller—a 17-year-old superstar climber and close friend, Rosario Cornell. Rosario had been training for months to be Linn’s caller and finally made the grade two weeks prior to the Championships. I have to admit I was sentimental watching someone else call for my Linny. Fortunately, Rosario is better for Linn so I mostly just watched proudly as the two tackled the finals route to win gold.

There was one particular moment while Linn and Rosario were warming up before the finals route that will live in my memory rent-free forever. I was in iso* with them putzing around trying to make myself useful. They were across the room and Linn was warming up on a boulder route that Rosario concocted when Linn fell hard onto the mat. My dad mode flashed on and I started towards them. But then they both started cracking up - I mean really belly laughing. For some reason that spoke to me and I realized that Linn didn’t need me in iso. I exited and put on my spectator hat. I tear up with true happiness every time I think of that moment.

* iso or isolation refers to a designated area where climbers are kept before their turn to climb to prevent them from seeing or getting information about the climbs they will be attempting, ensuring a fair competition. 

Back row from L to R: Dan, Rosario's father, and Scott, Linn's Father
Front row from L to R: Linn and Rosario

What has been the most rewarding part of watching Linn pursue their passion for climbing?

There is no better feeling than getting up at 5:15am to get to Movement early for our regular Thursday workout. We always get there a couple minutes early and sit patiently in the lot with the other early morning climbers. At 6:00am sharp the doors are unlocked and we walk into the gym where Glenn at the front desk chats up Linn. I walk ahead to get our gear out and start warming up. Linn makes their way to me eventually, but stops frequently to talk with other climbers. I love it that Linn has found a community where they feel welcome and at home. It is truly an extended family.

What would you like to share with other parents of adaptive athletes or anyone facing similar challenges in supporting their loved ones?

I literally cannot imagine a better way for Linn and I to connect than through climbing. The community is always friendly and supportive, and Linn and I get to struggle and play and laugh and try hard together. The teachable moments are never ending, and the bonding opportunities are limitless and deep rooted. To parents of adaptive athletes I would love to connect with you to introduce you and your kiddo to climbing.

Linn and their caller, Rosario, training at Movement Englewood for the National Paraclimbing Championships on March 1-2, 2025