Milwaukee climber reaches his professional summit

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- "I've always told people, if you can climb really, really well in Wisconsin," said longtime Milwaukee climber Kim Kosmitis, "You go out west, your skills are going to be so much better out there."

CBS 58

Kosmitis would know. He's been rock climbing in Wisconsin for more than 50 years. This summer, Kosmitis retired as the climbing coordinator at the Turner Hall Climbing Gym after 24 years and as the owner/operator of Riverwest Outdoors after 37 years. He still teaches rock climbing classes at UW-Milwaukee.

"When people have questions, I love to teach," Kosmitis said.

His passion is contagious. Gretchen Froelich has taken over for Kosmitis at Turner Hall. Three years ago, she was an oboe player taking a rock climbing class at UWM.

"He has an impact on almost everyone he meets." Froelich said. "I really just enjoyed his class. Fell in love with rock climbing, started working here and look where I am."

Gretchen is one of many who found their way to climbing because of Kosmitis. For years, he's focused on bringing the sport and the outdoors to kids in Milwaukee that may never have had the chance.

Kim Kosmitis

"My passion has always been working with kids who did not have the opportunity to do it." said Kosmitis. "They were the ones that really needed it because it was not available to them."