Behold the future of American rock climbing!

[wildeyed]

Meet Kai Lightner, a 16-year-old competitive rock climber. He lives in Fayetteville, North Carolina and he’s a Clif Bar-sponsored athlete who’s won national and world championships competing in both youth and adult categories.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/sallytamarkin/this-16-year-old-rock-climber-is-inspiring-as-hell?utm_term=.uo7JOOjW9#.ovmzYYx37

A native North Carolinian, he is also a straight-A student and an all-around good kid. His future is VERY bright.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

1. In my best "Johnny Carson" voice "That's some crazy stuff there"

I have a friend who did this in Yosemite, climbed all that stuff...he is insane.


He loved it, said it was like an addiction.

[wildeyed]

4. It makes you feel alive, that's for sure.

Not always in a good way, but at least it is not boring.

[procon]

2. As someone who is so scared of heights that I can't even climb up on a step ladder

to change a light bulb, I can feel my heart rate increase just looking at that 2nd photo. I am always amazed by brave people who can do dangerous feats like this. All that and he's a really cute looking kid, too.

[Warpy]

3. The trick is to pay attention to where you are

and not where "down" is. It's how I survived being on rickety staging 40 feet in the air with a follow spot for companionship.

I agree he's cute as a button. As long as he can dodge cops and vigilantes, he's got a great future.

[Skinner]

5. That picture of him hanging on the cliff is terrifying.

Also amazing.

[1StrongBlackMan]

8. No. This one ...

is insane

[Skinner]

9. Awesome.

Love it

[1StrongBlackMan]

10. Gives new meaning to the phrase ...

Hanging on by one's toes!

[CrispyQ]

6. That 2nd pic . . .

I could never do that. One look down & I'd lose it.

[RoccoR5955]

7. About rock climbers.

Now you all may like rock climbers, but I say, "WTF? You can drive up to the top, or just walk on the roads, who needs to climb the steepest face and take the longest amount of time." So I see it as a waste of time. But let the climbers do what they want.

Be that as it may, when I first moved up to New Paltz from NYC, we used to sit on our friend's porch, and watch the climbers like little ants climb up the wall. Occasionally something exciting would happen, like one of them would fall like 50 feet. OUCH! That stuff is not for me. It was kind of fun watching them fall though.
Now I am probably too old for that crap. Oh well, let the young do it!

[nikto]

13. I'm with you. I mean, gravity is so unequivocal, you know?

[Liberal Jesus Freak]

11. Crazy cool!

And on so many levels. WTG Kai. Be careful up there

[ismnotwasm]

12. Stunning pictures

Awesome person

[stone space]

14. Ok, I'll pass.