Is there really such a large crossover that climbing.com makes it to hacker news? Sure, this is interesting, but I love that this site is focused on tech.
Plus its properly great and fulfilling activity that very few sports can deliver (IMHO), not requiring massive investment or some ridiculously long and difficult trips to just get to it (gyms, if you want to climb in Patagonia or Antarctic then its a different game altogether).
Hacker news never claimed to be exclusively about digital technology, or electronic technology.
This is an article telling the story of someone passionate about creating something new and innovative. Seems pretty aligned to me?