If you’re looking for a new hobby that’ll keep you fit, up your extreme factor, and provide an avenue to meet a ton of cute boys, give rock climbing a try. I realize Kansas isn’t exactly mountainous, but don’t get discouraged. Many flatland dwellers have found there are plenty of places to accommodate anyone’s need to reach some altitude.

Unfortunately, rock climbing isn’t something you can just dive into. It is absolutely imperative that you are supervised or receive the proper training. You won’t get a chance to talk to those cute boys if you’re too busy falling off the wall because you didn’t tie your clove hitches and bowlines correctly. You’ll have to get belay certified to climb any wall in Wichita.

If you’ve never climbed before and want a good place to learn all about the sport, go back to school and take the class at Wichita State. During the one-hour, semester-long course, you’ll have a chance to climb pretty frequently and master skills that’ll transfer to any other wall around town. The instructor works with all experience levels and you’ll be certified to climb at the Heskett gym for a year. During one class period, you’ll have the chance rappel off Cessna Stadium, which is pretty awesome and my favorite part of the class by far.

Or, if you have a YMCA membership, take advantage of the open climb times and belay classes there as well. The Y has walls at its North, Northwest, and Andover branches. During open climb times, staff members are available to belay for you and you do not have to be belay certified to climb. But if you want the freedom to climb whenever you want, certification classes are $24 per person. If you’ve got an office or club get-together to plan, you can pay $48 for a group class and get your whole team certified to climb.

Regis Fox, manager at the North YMCA, says that besides the fun factor, rock climbing definitely a workout. “You’re pulling, climbing, rappelling, and balancing,” he says. “It’s almost like a weight workout. You’re carrying your body against gravity.”

I work out at Genesis Health Club and there’s a climbing wall at the Rock Road location, but I usually just climb at the Heskett. It’s an easy climb and all my climbing partners are students at WSU.

Wichita is also home to the Kansas Cliff Club, which offers belay certification for a cost in addition to membership. If you’ve got some disposable income to throw at a hobby, join the Cliff Club. They offer bouldering, top-rope, lead, muti-pitch, and aid climbing. However, they require that you have your own equipment, which can get expensive.

I am not a Cliff Club member, but have some of my own gear for the rare chances I get to climb real rocks. And that’s definitely one thing to put on the ol’ “Bucket List.” Climbing a real rock – or “mountain,” as they’re called – is rather exhilarating. But if you’d rather stick to manmade rocks, a trip to Kansas City’s IBEX Climbing Gym won’t disappoint you either.

(image credit)

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