Rock climbing course offered at North Bend

By RACHEL LANE, rlane@newsandsentinel.com
CAIRO — Three beginner rock climbing classes are being offered at North Bend State Park May 31 and June 1.

Local non-profit organization Adventure Pursuit arranged for a teacher from New River Mountain Guides, near the New River Gorge, to teach the class, said Kim Broughton, organizer with AP.

“Our goal is to make adventure accessible to everyone,” she said. “We try to make it affordable” and local.

She said the rock climbing class is being offered because many AP members have expressed interest in learning more about rock climbing.

“We want people to know that these types of classes (rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking) are more accessible in this area than they think,” Broughton said.

During the four-hour class, students will learn how to tie climbing knots, rappelling, terminology and climbing techniques. A total of 18 people can register for the class.

“It’s a great workout... It’s so much fun; you’re getting fit without even knowing it,” said Elaina Arenz-Smith, owner of New River Mountain Guides.

She said anyone taking the class should wear work-out type clothing or synthetic fabric.

“West Virginia has so much potential. People come from all over the world to climb here,” she said. “It doesn’t seem that a lot of people are aware of what’s in their backyard.”

Arenz-Smith said there are many opportunities in West Virginia to climb.

Climbing “is exhilarating. It’s intense. It’s something that everyone should try once,” Broughton said. “I’ve climbed, but it terrifies me.”

Each class is $100 per person. Reservations can be made by e-mailing adventurepursuit@hotmail.com.

More information is available online at www.adventurepursuit.org.