Climbing

Backcountry enthusiasts should contact the Washington Alpine Club (206/467-3042, www.washingtonalpineclub.org [1]), in existence since 1916. Monthly meetings include slide shows and discussions, and the group also offers climbing and skiing classes.

A good place to practice rock climbing is the 65-foot artificial pinnacle at the REI store [2] (222 Yale Ave., 206/223-1944 or 800/426-4840, www.rei.com [3]).

Several other indoor climbing facilities are available, including America’s original indoor climbing gym—Vertical World in Magnolia [4] (2123 W. Elmore St., 206/283-4497, www.verticalworld.com [5]).

More climbing is available at The Stone Gardens in Ballard [6] (2839 N.W. Market St., 206/781-9828, www.stonegardens.com [7]).

Mountain Madness (4218 S.W. Alaska St., 206/937-8389 800/328-5925, www.mountainmadness.com [8]) offers courses in rock climbing, mountaineering, and ski mountaineering, and staff leads technical climbs up several North Cascades peaks.