Rock Climbing

Rock climbing, like skiing, is an outdoor activity available to adventurers of all fitness levels. Whether it’s on a boulder in Boulder or an icy slope in Alaska, almost anyone can master this exciting sport that balances concentration, athleticism and technique.

Rock climbing requires taking safety precautions, such as wearing a harness and going with a partner. Expect to cart and use gear like bolted hangers and a rope to guide your ascent, whether you use assistance or rely mostly on your own strength to scale the mountain. The art of rock climbing has inspired various forms of the activity, such as top roping, sport climbing, traditional climbing and other forms such as indoor climbing walls that simulate the experience without the complications that sun, wind and outdoor elements create and is recommended for beginners.

North America is home to some of the world’s best places to climb: At California’s Yosemite National Park, some vertical faces exceed 3,000 feet; Boulder, Colorado, is home to the Rocky Mountains and one of the top mountaining destinations in America; and visitors to Mount Albert in Quebec Canada’s Chic Choc Mountains may spot herds of caribou.

The truly seasoned climbers will enjoy international adventures at places like the Pico de Orizaba, the highest peak in Mexico and a semi-active volcano or the world’s tallest free-standing mountain rise, Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro.

You have mastered the climb when you can reach the top without falling!