Emma Hunt will turn 21 weeks before she boards a plane to Paris. But this is not a celebratory girls’ trip filled with Eiffel Tour photos, flaky croissants, and latte art (though those might happen later). This trip is devoted to representing the USA in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. The Atlanta native and amateur baker is one of the fastest speed climbers in the world. And if you’re wondering what speed climbing is, we’ll cover that. Get to know the horizontally talented and universally inspiring Emma Hunt.
Where did your love of climbing begin?
When I was five, my dad tried a portable climbing wall at a mall and loved it. So he found a gym near our house, and we started going as a family. It was just a fun family hobby. We climbed indoors and outdoors and primarily focused on the bouldering discipline. When I was eight years old, I found competitive climbing and started in competitive bouldering. At around 10, I found top rope and lead climbing competitions. And then, when I joined the climbing team in Atlanta, I found speed and it just took over my life.
What is speed climbing?
I always call speed climbing vertical running. Imagine a track race of just a bunch of athletes trying to make it to the end of the finish line first but just going straight up. It’s very technical, powerful, and requires a kind of perfection. It’s exciting that speed climbing is separated from the other two climbing disciplines in Paris, whereas in Tokyo, all three disciplines were combined. Boulder and lead are still combined, but they are two totally different disciplines. Hopefully, they will keep separating things out like this, and add some random combined stuff for fun.
Tell me about the Olympic qualifying process.
At the beginning of 2023, you just wanted a high enough ranking to be invited to competitions. So it all started at the IC World championships in Bern, Switzerland, in August of 2023. You had to place top two in that competition to qualify for Paris. Luckily enough, I got second. I was not expecting it, but I booked my ticket right away. From there, it moves into continental championships (Pan American, European, and Asia). For those, you have to win outright to qualify. Then, everyone else will qualify during the Olympic Qualifying Series (OQS) this summer.
What are you most looking forward to about visiting Paris (aside from your event)?
I think I’m going to be all business before. But thankfully, women’s speed climbing is one of the first finals! So after that, I get to chill, watch other events, and explore the city. I’ve never been to Paris, so I’m excited.
Where’s your favorite place in the South to climb outside? And inside?
I’m biased, but I think all the best indoor gyms are in Atlanta. They have everything from beginner climbing to Olympic training. You can do whatever you want. Stone Summit has four great gyms in Atlanta, but one of my favorites is in Midtown at the bottom of a skyscraper, and it’s just so bright. Another cool one in Chattanooga has a wall on the outside of the building, so you’re climbing in the city on the street, which is fantastic.
For outdoor climbing, most of my favorite places are around Chattanooga. It’s nice because they’re central, so people can come from all over the South. We can all meet up and climb there. I love Stone Fort and Cumberland Boulders (aka “Pep Boys”). In North Georgia, there’s this place called Rocktown that I love.
What do you do when you don’t want to think about your climbing career at all?
My go-to is baking on my rest days. When I’m climbing, it consumes everything in my life. So, taking a second and baking something is the best escape. I recently joked with a friend that I picked the equivalent of speed climbing as a hobby. Speed climbing is all about perfectionism and getting the small details right. Baking is the equivalent. I have a big sweet tooth, and it’s so hard training and baking because I can’t eat everything I make. But I am constantly snacking on it.
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What’s a typical training day like for you?
It’s looking a lot more intense since I’ve qualified. I try to train before my in-person class, but I’m not a morning person, so it’s usually early afternoon. After class, I go back to the gym and train. Thankfully, my college campus is five minutes from the gym, so it’s easy and convenient. Climbers, in general, are getting more into lifting and getting full-out stronger, which is not my area of expertise. So, many people are advising and coaching me on the strength and conditioning parts. I’m also doing some agility track stuff for fast-twitch and speed. These things are essential; they’re not my strong suit.
What’s something that people are often surprised to learn about you?
When people see me climbing or at competitions, I’m a little more serious. But I’m actually having a good time and messing around. It’s always funny to hear people say, “Oh, I wasn’t expecting you to be having fun right now.”
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and from whom?
I’m unsure if this will resonate with everyone, but it resonated with me. I messed up horribly at a competition for lead climbing. You have to clip things in quickly and in order, and I clipped out of order, which means I automatically got last place. My coach had a long talk with me, and the main takeaway was: Right now, you’re a loser. But that’s okay.
Who’s inspiring you right now and why?
I’ve been thinking more about Paris and how inspiring some of the other Olympians are. I’m a big Katie Ledecky fan. I think she’s such a fantastic athlete and has been doing it for so long. Her determination is incredible. I hope I get to meet her in Paris.
Besides faith, family, and friends, name three things you couldn’t live without.
Are my animals my family?! I have two dogs and a cat. I’m such a dog/cat mom.
And three things you couldn’t CLIMB without?
My gear. Powerade (I am obsessed with Powerade, and everyone makes fun of me). And I always have a Rice Krispies treat in my bag.
Lightning round!
- Favorite “hidden gem” in the South: Aretha Frankenstein’s in Chattanooga. It’s a breakfast place with these inch-thick pancakes in an iron skillet.
- Top three artists to listen to while you climb: I have been adding to a playlist for years and years, and I shuffle it. It could be anything from Eminim to High School Musical.
- Last vacation: I can’t remember the last time I went on a non-climbing trip. But on my last trip, I went to Salt Lake City and trained with the U.S. team.
- What’s on your bedside table: I collect tiny things everywhere I go, so I have a little display of those. A can of La Croix. Vaseline. Books.
- Go-to birthday present (to give): Clothes
Thank you, Emma, for the delightful chat. All photos submitted by Emma Hunt unless otherwise noted.
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Women all over the South are doing inspiring work. Meet more of them over at our FACES archives!
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