Climbing to the Olympics: Georgia’s Own Emma Hunt
6.54 seconds is the American speed record in a somewhat obscure sport. It's held by Emma Hunt, who heads to Paris this summer to compete in the Olympics' first-ever speed climbing event. Meet this fresh, fierce FACE of the South!
Emma Hunt will turn 21 weeks before she boards a plane to Paris. But this is not a celebratory girlsβ 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 youβre wondering what speed climbing is, weβll 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. Itβs very technical, powerful, and requires a kind of perfection. Itβs 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 Iβm going to be all business before. But thankfully, womenβs speed climbing is one of the first finals! So after that, I get to chill, watch other events, and explore the city. Iβve never been to Paris, so Iβm excited.
Whereβs your favorite place in the South to climb outside? And inside?
Iβm 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 itβs just so bright. Another cool one in Chattanooga has a wall on the outside of the building, so youβre climbing in the city on the street, which is fantastic.
For outdoor climbing, most of my favorite places are around Chattanooga. Itβs nice because theyβre 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 βPep Boysβ). In North Georgia, thereβs this place called Rocktown that I love.
What do you do when you donβt want to think about your climbing career at all?
My go-to is baking on my rest days. When Iβm 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 itβs so hard training and baking because I canβt eat everything I make. But I am constantly snacking on it.
View this post on Instagram
Whatβs a typical training day like for you?
Itβs looking a lot more intense since Iβve qualified. I try to train before my in-person class, but Iβm not a morning person, so itβs usually early afternoon. After class, I go back to the gym and train. Thankfully, my college campus is five minutes from the gym, so itβs 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. Iβm also doing some agility track stuff for fast-twitch and speed. These things are essential; theyβre not my strong suit.
Whatβs something that people are often surprised to learn about you?
When people see me climbing or at competitions, Iβm a little more serious. But Iβm actually having a good time and messing around. Itβs always funny to hear people say, βOh, I wasnβt expecting you to be having fun right now.β
Whatβs the best advice youβve ever received, and from whom?
Iβm 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, youβre a loser. But thatβs okay.
Whoβs inspiring you right now and why?
Iβve been thinking more about Paris and how inspiring some of the other Olympians are. Iβm a big Katie Ledecky fan. I think sheβs 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 couldnβt live without.
Are my animals my family?! I have two dogs and a cat. Iβm such a dog/cat mom.
And three things you couldnβt 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 βhidden gemβ in the South: Aretha Frankensteinβs in Chattanooga. Itβs 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 canβt 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.
- Whatβs 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.
**********
Women all over the South are doing inspiring work. Meet more of them over at our FACES archives!
Zoe Yarborough
Zoe is a StyleBlueprint staff writer, Charlotte native, Washington & Lee graduate, and Nashville transplant of eleven years. She teaches Pilates, helps manage recording artists, and likes to "research" Germantown's food scene.