The 10 Best Rock Climbing Weekend Getaways For Tri-State Residents
Whether you're a seasoned climber or new to the sport, rock climbing excursions can provide a great weekend getaway for Tri-State area residents. As the weather warms up, here are the best places to plan your trip.
This company has been in business since 1988 and offers experience, knowledgeable and passionate guides for private and group climbs in the rugged wilderness of the Adirondacks. Bring your own gear or let Rock and River provide the shoes, harness, helmets and whatever else you'll need to get your rock on. All you need is $350 (for 2 days) and to get yourself to rock and River's lodge in Keene.
Also in the Adirondack Mountains, Alpine Adventures Inc. is run by a couple who have been in the business since 1985. The pair, Karen and R.L. Stolz, offers private instruction and guides through the many routes in the Adirondacks. Alpine Adventures Inc. provides all the gear you'll need as well as overnight equipment, like tents, cook sets and emergency equipment (bring your own sleeping bag, of course). Introductory courses start at around $590 (for two days) and guided climbing is $295 per day ($190 for two people).
This group in Westchester County offers indoor and outdoor lessons and weekend deals on excursions to the Shawangunks (or "the Gunks" as it's affectionately referred to) in New Paltz, N.Y.
Alpine Endeavors operates both in the Adirondacks in the Gunks and welcomes both seasoned and inexperienced climbers. All the technical gear you'll need is provided but make sure to pack your own stuff before heading out. Prices start at $185 per person for half a day.
Mountain Skills, based in the Gunks and Catskill Mountains, wants to aid aspiring climbers to become confident and efficient in the sport. The group also offers guided climbs and organizes overnight excursions as well as meet-up groups. Rates start at $185 for a single person on a half-day climb.
This company offers a variety of outdoor options for students and enthusiasts of every age and level and also organizes overnight trips with three locations in New York (as well as in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut). If you're a beginner, consider signing up for an accelerated three-day rock climbing course for $420.
HighXposure offers climbing instruction at the Gunks to any and all, claiming they have taught kids "as young as 5 and have introduced folks in their 60's to the joys and satisfaction of the climbing experience." If you're used to climbing at indoor gyms, maybe you should take a look at the Indoor/Outdoor Transition Course. Pricing starts at $240 per person for a full day and discounts are offered for larger groups.
Join this education-based adventure company every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. for an outdoor climb you're not likely to find anywhere else in New York City. For $29 you'll get a pair of climbing shoes and necessary technical equipment and about two hours to climb a five-story wall built on the side of a building in Queens. There are several meet-ups throughout the year but it looks like space is limited, so you may want to reserve your spot early.
This is apparently a volunteer rock climbing and ice climbing group that organizes events in the Gunks, Adirondacks and other surrounding areas. The group has more than 800 members who have participated in 111 meet-ups since 2009. Check the schedule, suggest an idea or check out photos from some of their latest activities.
OK, so maybe a family fun center in Ulster Park isn't exactly the first place a rock climber would go to spend time scaling some crag, but the business is out of town (about two hours away via public transportation) and it does have a wall -- which could be yours for the climbing at the low, low price of $7.00.
