BARTELS HALL—Alexander Pope ‘28, a self-identified social climber, is turning heads at Lindseth Climbing Center with his friendly demeanor.
“Climbing is better with buddies!” remarked the beaming sophomore transfer, dusting his chalky hands on a pair of well-worn sweatpants. “I’ve been climbing since the fourth grade, and the thing that always keeps me coming back is the people. I just love to make new friends!”
“I don’t buy it,” said Carl Merton ‘27, eyeing Pope with suspicion. “Yesterday, he struck up a conversation with me, wanted to know my name, major, whatever… and ten minutes later, he’s asking me for beta on this bouldering problem. Some people will do anything to get ahead.”
“I’ve seen his type before,” Merton continued. “Watch him—he’s greeting the front desk person so politely. He probably knows they’re PE staff. I’ll bet he’s trying to get nepo’d into the route setting class.”
Other climbers agree that Pope’s pleasant manner and tendency for amiable lounging on the gym floor are clever masks for his Machiavellian interior.
“Knowing the kind of person he is, I have a hard time believing he likes me for me,” said Leonora Ojeda ‘28. ”Like, does he really want to be my friend? Or does he just need a belay partner?”
“Honestly, this community has been so welcoming to me,” said Pope, carefully unclipping his harness. “I gotta say, I wasn’t sure about Cornell at first—things are so competitive in Dyson, and I realized it wasn’t really my scene. But the people I’ve met through climbing are so nice! I finally feel at home. Plus, after getting to know some of these folks, I’m thinking about putting in a transfer to E&S.”
Nevertheless, there remains little doubt among Lindseth patrons that the smiling young man is only there to make his way to the top as quickly as possible (and then be gently lowered back down again).
