Mountain climbing may be a popular activity, but this does not guarantee safety for those involved. In order to make sure that nothing bad happens, it is important for climbers to consider the tips below.

1. Check the Weather Forecast

A number of people that take on climbing do not realize that they also need to be aware of weather conditions as they prepare for a trip. No matter how many times they inspect their supplies or plan out a route, it means little if the weather is not suitable. If it should rain, for example, rocks and crevices will prove too slippery to step on, among other things. Rain can also make it difficult to see, escalating the chances for trouble. There are many websites online that can provide forecasts; or, if you’re lodging in Gatlinburg TN or staying in one of the fine hotels in Gatlinburg, you could ask …

Finding outdoor rock climbing sites is a combination of part daredevil, part being in the know, and part having an urge to climb any vertical structure. I can help with being in the know. One of the best websites to find local rock climbing areas in Michigan can be found at this following link Rockclimbing.com, which includes both indoor and outdoor climbing areas.

At rockclimbing.com you’ll be able to find numerous rock climbing sites from all four regions here in Michigan along with driving locations and notes and photos of the actual area. Detailed listings of each climb along with other climber comments makes for an invaluable source for all climbers experienced and new. Please be respectful of this list and always make sure you leave these beautiful areas as you find them after your climb.

Always remember to check your equipment and always stay on top of your safety …

If you fancy the idea of climbing for a hobby then it is important to have studied what is required. Proper equipment beginning with clothing is the key to safe rock or mountain climbing. Every item should be designed for the job it has to do, and the best you can afford, from specialist outfitters.

Boots – Go for leather climbing boots with a thick but flexible rubber sole. There should be no exposed stitching, as raised threads can be cut by abrasive rocks. The uppers should be padded -also the tongue – and high enough to cover the anklebone. Laces should fasten through cleats or D-rings, not eyelets through which water can penetrate.

Socks – Wear thick woolen ones; and if you have climbing breeches the socks should be long enough to reach to just below the knee.

Trousers – Loose-fitting trousers give ease of movement and in summer …

Who says there are no mountains in Texas? Recently when I told some friends I had climbed the highest mountain in Texas they assumed it was nothing but a highway overpass. Actually at 8,749ft Guadalupe Peak is higher than any mountain on the east coast. When those snobby Appalachian trail hikers talk about reaching the top of Clingman’s Dome or Mount Washington you can remind them that Guadalupe peak is 2,000 ft higher than those mountains.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is in far west Texas and sits close to the New Mexico border. El Paso is about a 100 miles to the west. To travel by air you can fly into El Paso or Midland /Odessa. Once you arrive at the Park you will probably notice that it is not the most crowded National Park. If you hunger for the crowds of Yellowstone this is not the park for you. …

I climbed the mountain high. Sometimes scratching and clawing at the sides.
Sometimes the highs were too high, sometimes the lows were too low, but still I kept on, because I had to know. If only I could reach the top I felt I could finally have what I thought was lost. This mountain is so massive, and I have been on it for so long, what if what I was seeking isn’t even on the top. I’ve just gone wrong.
I reached out in prayer for guidance, a clearer path to be seen. And as if by magic I saw a tunnel to go in. I started down the path and felt like it was right. Then I saw light, coming in to keep me from feeling the fright. And more than that as branches open along the way, bringing others to show me support as I travel through …

Indoor Rock Climbing in Metro Denver, Colorado

My son and I have enjoyed indoor rock climbing for years. He was 4 years old when he first climbed his 20 foot wall.

Here is a list of a few places we have been.

APEX Center

Located in Arvada, Colorado has a very nice natural like climbing wall that is good for beginners and can accommodate up to seven climbers at a time. 13150 W. 72^nd Ave. www.apex.org

The Point Athletic

Located in Lakewood, Colorado and this is where my son first climbed his wall. They have a great 35 foot climbing wall. Good for all experience levels. 533 Van Gordon Street. www.pointathleticclub.com

And here are a few places we still need to go.

Erie Community Center

Located in Erie, Colorado has instructional classes for ages 3 and up as well as a 32 foot climbing wall AND a 10 foot …

This past weekend, I took a trip up to the Poudre Canyon, a winding front range canyon carved out by the seventy mile long Cache La Poudre river.  This canyon is all things recreation to residents and visitors of Fort Collins, CO.  I have only been up here twice, both times to splitboard up at the Diamond Peaks near Cameron Pass in the winter time.  This canyon is incredibly long; it takes almost two hours to travel the winding highway from Ft. Collins to the top of Cameron Pass.  However, the abundant recreation all along the highway are well worth it.

For this trip, we traveled less than a quarter up the canyon, to camp at the Narrows Campground.  This is a developed National Forest campground, with about eight pads strictly for tent camping.  There is a toilet, trash, and water on site.  In addition, the campground is short walking …

Pike’s Peak at 14,110 feet is a pink granite beacon in the midst of the Colorado Rockies. Eons ago, dinosaurs roamed the area while it was in its infancy. Native Americans followed simple paths as they crisscrossed around it, and people now challenge themselves by climbing to the top in various ways: by foot, bike, car, or the Manitou and Pike’s Peak Railway. I, too, had spent a part of my life hoping to someday climb to its summit, not only to see the vast beauty surrounding the mountain, but also to say I had done it. But it was years before it became reality.

The first time I saw the pink mountain I was about eight while on vacation out west. As my dad drove past, he related the story of Zebulon Pike, the man who once called it the “Great Peak”. In mid-November of 1806, Pike and his …

If you have not yet downloaded Google Earth maybe this is a good time to try it. Chances are you have already used Google Maps or Yahoo Maps. Google Earth is different as it brings in navigation tools that the maps don’t necessarily have plus a growing three dimensional manipulation of the maps and satellite images to give them realistic properties that are enjoyable to look at. On Google Earth you can travel around the Earth and tour most of the famous spots that have been given three dimensional topology. It does not take long to download. There is a new upgraded version that is available. Caution-read the fine print as you download it because Google tries to also get you to download their Google Chrome Browser which you may or many not want to download on your computer. You don’t need Google Chrome to use Google Earth. Google sort …

Grand Rapids, Michigan is home to a number of indoor rock climbing venues. Venues such as Higher Ground, Inside Moves, and the Kentwood Climbing Center offer a variety of climbing options for the numerous rock climbers living in Grand Rapids.

But what do rock climbers do if they want to climb outdoors? Unfortunately, most have to leave town to get their fill of outdoor rock climbing. The Grand Rapids area doesn’t have any outdoor rock climbing spots, but thankfully, the Lower Peninsula’s primary rock climbing spot is only a day trip away. For additional outdoor rock climbing spots, Grand Rapids area residents have to plan longer trips to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The best outdoor rock climbing spots in Michigan are:

The City of Grand Ledge’s Oak Park – Grand Ledge’s Oak Park is the only place in lower Michigan that has climbable rock faces. As such, it is an incredibly …