Sherman's Travel

According to the thermometer, it’s pretty cold out there in most the country right now. As in single digit cold. Which wouldn’t be such a big deal except for the fact that you’re the kind of person who likes to burn calories outdoors. Hiking boots, bike shorts, a life vest, climbing shoes—these are your preferred gym clothes. So what are you supposed to do when winter temperatures dip low enough to make a snowman shiver?

The answer is simple, and fortunately for the fair-weather adventurer, heated: find an indoor climbing wall. As the sport of climbing has grown in popularity, rock gyms have sprung up everywhere, especially in eastern cities where busy professionals don’t necessarily have easy access to cliffs, crags, towers, and other large rock formations. And just about every spot offers day passes, equipment rental, lessons, and the occasional discount, so you can show up for a test climb without committing to membership. Plus, they’re good places to meet other outdoor enthusiasts and a fun alternative to yet another predictable workout on the elliptical. Read more

For the ninth consecutive year, rock climbers of all levels will gather for clinics, climbing and, of course, the clinking of pint glasses at the Red Rock Rendezvous, a three-day event that’s gearing up to be the country’s largest climbing festival of 2012.

Registration for the festival, which takes place from March 30-April 1 at Nevada’s Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, one of the country’s premier climbing destinations, is limited to the first 1,000 registrants. About 400 spots are still available, according to event coordinator Phil Bridgers.

On tap for the weekend: all types of clinics for newbies and skilled climbers, from bouldering to rescue and even trail running; rubbing elbows with some of the top names in climbing (including Lisa Rands and Peter Croft); and plenty of Belgian beer each night. Read more