Rock climbing is an amazing sport for both mind and body. People who climb regularly can develop strong core muscles and better balance and flexibility. But the real draw of climbing is the challenge to the mind. Each climb is a puzzle to be solved, and it sometimes takes numerous different approaches to make it up a route. Whether a person climbs indoors, does just short outdoor climbs, or does the big climbs up domes and bigger rock faces, the challenge can be found. Here are some of the other great draws....
Self-reliance: You're up there and it's just you and your equipment. While that might seem a downside, there's something wonderful about taking everything in your own hands in a world where we're often protected in every imaginable way.
Nature: The feel of the rock, the wind grazing across the cliff face, and the sun overheating the toes and fingers. Nature literally looms large in this sport.
Adventure. Finding the right route, setting up equipment, rappelling back down, problem solving far off the ground.
And here's the coolest part. On those bigger climbs, you'll get to a point where the birds are flying below you. How great is that?
(I've been climbing on and off for about 7 years in The San Francisco Bay Area and have also done climbing in Yosemite, Bishop, Tahoe. This pic is of me leading 'Revelation'. My favorite part of this shot is the background. It's truly that scenic at many of the climbing spots.)
While climbing and leading for many years, indoors and out, I have avoided taking the lead test at my local indoor gym, Mission Cliffs, the entire time. With the reputation that it takes 3 to 4 tries to pass, I wasn't eager to get in front of the eyes of the gym staff. I happy to say that this week I finally have that behind me, and now have a lead card in hand :).... The gym had some good music on and I literally 'sang' my way up to the top.
What's lead climbing? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_climbing
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