| To participate in the sport of rock climbing, you | | | | has to offer you. Your legs and feet are your |
| don't have to be a super athlete. It is more a | | | | most important tools for getting you up, though |
| sport of grace and balance rather than one of | | | | your upper body gets a fairly good work out as |
| strength. What is the allure of rock climbing | | | | well. |
| anyway? You will usually come away from an | | | | Rock climbing is about overcoming your fear of |
| encounter with ripped hands and various scabby | | | | the unknown. It is about learning to trust your |
| body parts and there will be times where you will | | | | instincts and your body to help you get through |
| be scared out of your wits. For many people it is | | | | some rough patches. Rock climbing can be a solo |
| about exploring the natural world around you and | | | | sport or a social sport. The bond that exists |
| finding the strength and perseverance buried deep | | | | between climbing partners is quite strong because |
| inside of you. | | | | you have to trust that person with your life, |
| How do you get started in the sport of rock | | | | without questions and no mistakes are allowed. |
| climbing? You don't need to be young or overly | | | | It takes years of practice to perfect the basic |
| fit. Many people begin climbing later in life and | | | | moves. Rock climbing comes in many styles. |
| there are excellent climbers of all ages. Climbing is | | | | Some basic rock climbing includes bouldering, free |
| not only about strength either. There have been | | | | rock climbing, traditional rock climbing, indoor |
| many men who have been humbled, by a | | | | climbing, ice climbing, and alpine climbing. You can |
| graceful female, and the apparent ease with which | | | | learn the basics of rock climbing at an indoor |
| she clambers over the rocks. Rock climbing is | | | | climbing gym before you make the move to the |
| mostly about balance and knowing your body, and | | | | great outdoors. The sport of rock climbing is a |
| how to reposition it in space. You have to be | | | | sport that will leave you breathless from the |
| creative when you are rock climbing because you | | | | beauty that surrounds you and proud of yourself |
| have to adapt to what the rock you are climbing | | | | for getting to the top unscathed. |