Artemis II Astronaut Christina Koch Combines Climbing Passion with Space Exploration Christina Koch, a 47-year-old astronaut aboard the Artemis II mission, has long embraced rock and ice climbing as a core part of her identity. Her NASA profile highlights the sport as one of her hobbies, reflecting a deep-rooted connection to the activity that began during her college years at North Carolina State University. Koch described her love for climbing as encompassing the physical challenge, the gear, and the trust she places in her climbing partners. Her dedication to the sport has extended beyond recreation, influencing her training and mindset as an astronaut. Koch’s climbing journey reveals a decade of lead climbing experience, with a particular affinity for traditional (trad) routes and ice climbing in Hyalite Canyon, Montana, where she once resided. She has also backpacked through Wyoming’s Wind River Range, a renowned climbing destination. These experiences underscore her commitment to the sport, which she has often linked to her work in space. During a NASA interview, Koch shared a pivotal moment when Peggy Whitson, a veteran astronaut and former record-holder for the longest time in space, asked her, “When you rock climb, have you ever been scared?” Koch responded candidly, acknowledging her fear but emphasizing how she transformed it into focus—a skill she credits with her success in both climbing and space exploration. Her climbing background has also shaped her physical and mental preparation for space missions. Before joining NASA, Koch trained at the Carmichael Gym, where she completed laps on an indoor wall to build strength and endurance. In a 2015 Instagram post, she noted that “training comes in many forms.#artemis_ii #christina_koch #north_carolina_state_university #peggy_whitson #hyalite_canyon
