Rock Climbing Activities
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Cerro Aconcagua
Mendoza is famous for Cerro Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas, but the majestic peak is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to climbing and mountaineering here. The nearby Cordón del Plata boasts several peaks topping out between 5000m and 6000m, and there are three important rock-climbing areas in the province: Los Arenales (near Tunuyán), El Salto (near Mendoza) and Chigüido (near Malargüe).
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Municipal Athletics Organisation
In recent years Kalymnos has become something of a mecca for rock climbers. Some spectacular limestone walls backing the resorts now attract legions of climbers looking for seriously challenging extreme sport. There are about 21 documented climbs awaiting the adventurous, pulling in visitors from as early as March onwards. The Municipal Athletics Organisation is a good place to start for the full low-down.
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Karst Café
Karst Café has one- to 10-day climbing excursions. Climbing in Yángshuò has mushroomed in popularity over the past decade. Autumn is the best season for clambering up the karst towers.
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Nainital Mountaineering Club
The enthusiasts at Nainital Mountaineering Club offer rock-climbing courses at the rock-climbing area, a 15m-high rock outcrop to the west of the town.
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Skye Guides
A two-day introduction-to-rock-climbing course costs around £360, and a private mountain guide can be hired for around £200 a day (both rates apply for up to two clients).
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Rock Climbing
With nearly 500 bolted routes and unparalleled cliff-top vistas, it's no surprise that Railay's dramatic rock faces lay claim to being among the top climbing spots in the world. There are so many climbing options, ranging from beginner routes to challenging advanced climbs, that you could spend months climbing and exploring - and many people do.
The newest buzz is about deep water-soloing where climbers free-climb ledges over deep water - if you fall you will most likely just get wet so even daring beginners can give this a try. Most climbers start off at Muay Thai Wall and One, Two, Three Wall, at the southern end of Hat Rai Leh East, which have at least 40 routes graded…
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Rock Climbing
With its sheer spires, polished domes and soaring monoliths, Yosemite is rock-climbing nirvana. The main climbing season runs from April to October. Most climbers, including some legendary stars, stay at Camp 4 near El Cap, especially in spring and fall. In summer, another base camp springs up at Tuolumne Meadows Campground. Climbers looking for partners post notices on bulletin boards at either campground.
Yosemite Mountaineering School offers top-flight instruction for novice to advanced rock hounds, plus guided climbs and equipment rental. All-day beginners classes are around US$120 per person if the group size is at least three people, more if there are fewer.
Climbers…
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River Tracing
River tracing outings are organised year-round by the local aborigines in Sanjhan from the community activity centre. The cost is around NT$2000 per person including all rental equipment. Trips take about eight hours return and start from the activity centre, usually in the early morning. You should be able to just go and join a group.
Sanjhan is just south of Taroko Park on the way back to Hualien. Heading south, turn right off Hwy 9 at the sign for Sanjhan (三棧). When you cross the bridge into the village stay right along the river. The community centre is obvious, 150m on at the end of the road on the left.
Note that technically you are supposed to apply for a police…
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Climbing & Hiking
Climbers are advised not to ascend the currently erupting Volcán Tungurahua (5016m). The refuge on that volcano has been destroyed - although some people still climb up to it, it is not recommended.
Climbs of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo can also be arranged. A reputable climbing outfitter is Expediciones Amazónicas. It has rental equipment and can arrange licensed guides. Rainforestur has rental equipment and licensed climbing guides, and can tailor your itinerary to include acclimatization. The going rate for climbs with a minimum of two people is around US$65 to around US$80 per person per day, plus park fees.
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San Cristóbal Hiking Tour
The best way to visit Cañón de San Cristóbal is to plan ahead, make reservations and join an organized trek with San Cristóbal Hiking Tour run by local historian and geographer Samuel Oliveras Ortiz. Trips run on weekends and holidays and vary from a three-to-four-hour basic tour to a five-to-six-hour adrenalin-junkie fest with rock climbing and rappelling.
Wear secure shoes and appropriate clothing that you can take off at the canyon floor, where temperatures can be more than 10°F warmer than up on the brink. Of course, you will need water and maybe some energy bars to get you back up the canyon wall.
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Kan Tengri
Kazakhstan's top adventure travel company, highly experienced and respected in mountain tourism. Kan Tengri focuses on climbs, trekking and heli-skiing in the central Tian Shan (including Mt Khan Tengri) and the ranges between Almaty and Lake Issyk-Köl. Also offers horse treks, mountain biking, sport fishing, bird-watching and botanical tours. Most trips last between one and three weeks. A two-week trekking tour typically costs around €1000 per person from Almaty.
Small groups, including solo travellers, can be catered for. The company's director is Kazbek Valiev, the first Kazakh to scale Mt Everest.
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Mt Wilhelm
While not technically difficult, this popular climb is hard work. Preparation is important and the dangers should not be underestimated. Climbers in this region have died. Don't try to climb the mountain on your own no matter how fit you are - a guide is essential. The final ascent starts in the black of early morning so that climbers get to see the dawn and both coasts before the clouds roll in.
If the weather is fine, the climb takes three or four days, but frequently the weather causes delays; take a book to read in the huts. There is a charge levied by the local landowner to climb the mountain.
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Mission Cliffs
Cries of 'Take!' and 'Belay on!' echo through this climbing gym while agile adventurists, jaw set, attempt the rainbow-tagged walls with both strain and grace. If you're game, the 50ft lead walls and dual level bouldering dens will prep you for an ascent of the real thing in Yosemite or the Pinnacles. The industrial warehouse space accommodates 60 top ropes, has full-service locker rooms, conducts friendly private and group lessons for adults and kids, and even has free wi-fi. Come early on weekends to miss the crowds and climber machismo.
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Brooklyn Boulders
It’s NYC’s biggest indoor climbing arena for scaling aficionados and folks looking to reach new heights. Ceilings top out at 30ft inside this 18,000-sq-ft facility, and its caves, freestanding 17ft boulder and climbing walls offer numerous routes for beginners to experts. There are overhangs of 15°, 30° and 45°. Climbing classes are available.
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Abseil Africa
The 112m drop off the top of Table Mountain is a guaranteed adrenaline rush, and the cheapest place to book it is direct with the operator, whose office is just off Long St. Don’t even think of tackling it unless you’ve got a head (and a stomach) for heights. Take your time, because the views are breathtaking. Tag on a guided hike up Platteklip Gorge for R195. The kloofing trips to gorges around Gordon’s Bay involve jumps varying between 3m and 22m.
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Rocódromo
Climbers can get a serious fix at the Rocódromo, a 25m-high climbing facility across from the Estadio Rumiñahui. There are more than a dozen routes (some as hard as class 5.12, or 7C on the French scale) on the three main walls, a four-face bouldering structure and a rock building. Shoes, ropes, harnesses, chalk bags and carabiners are all available for rental. If you rent equipment, the staff will belay you.
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Planet Granite
Take in spectacular bay views through a wall of glass as you ascend false-rock structures in this kick-ass 25,000-sq-ft climbing center – the ideal place to train for an expedition to Yosemite. Master top ropes as high as 45ft or test your strength ascending giant boulders and vertical-crack climbing walls, then finish your workout in the full gym or stretch in a yoga session. Check the website for class schedules.
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Spider Man Climbing
Spider Man Climbing offers half-day and whole-day expeditions for beginners. For more experienced climbers, multipitch climbs are also offered , as well as three-day, one week and two-week climbs. Prices all include transport, shoe hire, equipment and guides. Pick up equipment here as well as a copy of Yangshuo Rock Climbing. Ask about climbing in the White Mountain area, Baby Frog area and Copper door area.
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Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures
Maintains many of the climbing routes at Crazy Horse Buttress, and the expat owner publishes a guide to rock climbing in northern Thailand. If you prefer subterranean cliffs, it also leads caving trips in the same area. The office on Th Ratchaphakhinai has gear sales and rental, a partner-finding service and a bouldering wall for practice sessions. It offers introductory climbing courses for beginners and advanced training for multipitch climbs; trips include guides, gear, hotel transfers and lunch.
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Eastern Mountain Sports Climbing School
Eastern Mountain Sports Climbing School sells maps and guides to the WMNF, and rents camping equipment, cross-country skis and snowshoes. Year-round, the climbing school offers classes and tours, including one-day ascents of Mt Washington, and the grueling Presidential Range traverse. Climbing lessons cost between $150 and $220 per day, depending on how many are in a group (three maximum).
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Club de Montañismo Halcones
On weekends you can practice your skills with the friendly local climbing club, Club de Montañismo Halcones. There’s a range of routes with protection already in place. Try your hand at the challenging overhanging routes of the Angel sector, with the wonderful 7-rated route known as Sueño Lejano. For softer routes, try the Vieja Palestra sector.
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Edge Climbing Centre
This high-tech North Van facility has a large climbing gym with more than 15,000 sq ft of climbing surfaces for those who like hanging around for fun. There are plenty of courses, from introductory level to advanced classes where you can learn all about diagonalling and heel-and-toe hooking. If you enjoy this, you can drive straight from here to the Stawamus Chief in Squamish.
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Boulder Rock Club
Before you head up to the climbs in Eldorado Canyon State Park, get your chops at this indoor climbing gym, popular with Boulder's local rock rats. This massive warehouse is full of artificial rock faces cragged with ledges and routes, and the auto-belay system allows solo climbers an anchor. Staff are a great resource for local climbing routes and tips too.
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Action Valley
Adventure park extraordinaire, this place is a terror for acrophobes and a blast for kids and juvenile adults. Offerings include paintball (S75), a 10-meter climbing wall (S36), a 122m bungee jump (S230) and a bungee slingshot (S230). It’s also possible to go paragliding (S315) from the mirador of Racchi. The park is 11km outside Cuzco on the road to Poroy.
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City Climbers Club
Closed indefinitely for renovations at the time of research, the nonprofit CCC helped create New York’s first climbing wall and still serves as a key spot for climbers. You’ll find 11 belay stations and 30 routes, plus a climbing cave. The club offers 40-minute lessons for $30. Day passes cost $15, a two-month membership $50.
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