Rock Climbing

The rock climbing at Yosemite National Park [1] is some of the best in the world. El Capitan, the face of Half Dome, and Sentinel Dome in the high country are challenges that draw climbers from all over.

If you plan to climb one of these monuments, check with the Yosemite park rangers and the Mountaineering School well in advance of your planned climb for necessary information and permits.

But many of the spectacular ascents are not beginners’ climbs. Go try to scale El Capitan [2] for your first climb ever, and you’ll fail (if you’re lucky). The right place to start climbing in Yosemite is the Yosemite Mountaineering School (209/372-8344, www.yosemitepark.com/Activities.aspx [3]). Here you’ll find beginners’ “Go Climb a Rock” classes perfect for older kids or adult team-building groups.

You’ll also find guided climbs out of Yosemite Valley [4] and Tuolumne Meadows [5], and if you’re looking for a one-on-one guided climb experience, you can get it through the school. Also available are guided hikes and backpacking trips, and cross-country skiing lessons and treks in wintertime.