Para climber reaches new heights after injury, wants others to join her

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — An Oklahoma City rock climber is back after winning her fourth national championship. Now, she has big goals to get to the 2028 Paralympics and grow the para climbing community in Oklahoma City.

"The battle's not against my competitors, like the battle is about how well I do," said Nat Vorel, a paraclimber.

Vorel is back in OKC after winning her fourth national championship for paraclimbing last weekend.

In 2020, Vorel was climbing outside in Minnesota. The rocks were poor and all her gear came out.

"I fell 30 feet right onto my sacrum," said Vorel.

That area is between her lower vertebrae and tailbone.

"It like, exploded," said Vorel.

After a ten-hour surgery, it took three months for Vorel to learn to walk without a cane. Now, her left leg doesn't always cooperate.

"I'd try to take a step and my leg would crumble out beneath me," she said. "The whole time I was in the hospital I was like, 'I want to get back to climbing.'"

Vorel eventually reached new heights, getting back on the walls, while also discovering its healing powers, one grip at a time.

"My walking actually got way better really fast," said Vorel.

Now, in 2025, she's crushing the competition. The medals and trophies are proof that what she's doing is working.

Her next wall to climb is getting to the next Paralympics.

"I'm planning to be in L.A. 2028," said Vorel.

In the meantime, she's all about growing the Para climber community in OKC. She wants more people to climb on board.

"I'd love for people to try this sport. Like, come climb with me," said Vorel.

If this sounds like it's right up your alley, you can contact Vorel on her Instagram.