Want to climb a rock, a mountain? TC has them

"A lot of climbers love the adventure, not knowing what toanticipate," said Sean Smith, general manager of Yosemite Fitnessin Fresno. "People who approach this sport are ready for the risk."
Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks are a short drive for mostTulare County residents. Brian Borrowicz, general manager of SportChalet in Visalia, called the parks comparable to Yosemite  onlywith fewer people.
Rock climbing routes are available for any level climber, from thenovice to the expert.
"Buck Rock, Little Baldy, Moro Rock  there are beginner routes onpretty much all of them," Borrowicz said.
Smith said Sequoia and Kings Canyon offer easy accessibility toclimbing areas. He said Buck Rock is a "beautiful area" with agreat lookout and an easy approach  you can just drive right up toit.
"Accessibility is key," Smith said. "Especially if you're new." You need to know how
Knowing where to climb is one thing  knowing how is quite another.
An indoor climbing gym, such as Yosemite Fitness in Fresno, offersbeginning classes to help people feel comfortable with the sportbefore braving the elements.
"The majority of people start in an indoor gym," Smith said. "Itgives a novice an advantage in a controlled environment."
Yosemite Fitness, with locations in Clovis and Fresno, offers anindoor rock wall. One is also under construction at The LifestyleCenter in Visalia.
Beginning classes are available, as well as a women's programcalled "Sisters of Stone."
More information on class schedules and pricing can be found atyosemitefitness.com. Click on Calendar and Classes, then search thecalendar for the Wednesday evening class. You need the right gear and a partner
The gear is another significant factor when heading out.
Borrowicz said items to purchase first would be shoes, harness anda chalk bag. He said many people start by going out with someonewho is already an experienced climber.
That way, equipment can be shared, cutting initial costs.
"It's good to go in on gear together," Borrowicz suggested. "A fullrack of gear, to have enough stuff to be completely covered, couldcost close to $1,000."
Sharing gear is not the only reason to find a partner.
Borrowicz said that climbing is "extremely dangerous" and a partneris literally "your lifeline."
Sean Smith, sales associate at REI in Fresno, also stressed theimportance of a partner.
"You definitely want somebody you could trust," Smith said. "A gymis a great way to start  especially if you don't have a partner." Body and mind
Smith, of Yosemite Fitness, said properly done, rock climbing canburn about 1,000 calories per hour and work every muscle in thebody.
He called rock climbing a "cognitive sport," demanding that aparticipant is always planning the next move.
"It's a nice way to get away from what's going on," Smith, fromREI, said. "You focus on what you're doing at the moment."