By JONATHAN BURTON
Rock climbing has become a recreational craze of the 90’s. One of Utah’s best kept secrets is that it has many of the greatest climbing spots in the nation.
According to Utah’s rockclimbing web site, http://rockclimbing.com, American Fork Canyon, Provo Rock Canyon and Hobble Creek Canyon are among the best locations and are only minutes away from the BYU campus.
A list of all climbs and their levels of difficulty in these and other canyons in Utah are available at http://rockclimbing.com.
Jessica Jensen, a BYU student who has been climbing for three months, said she climbs because it’s always challenging. Rock climbing is not just physically demanding, but it also requires great concentration and judgement.
Randy Head, an instructor at the Rock Garden in Provo said he loves rock climbing because it requires all focus and attention.
“To be able to focus, you need to forget everthing else like work or car payments,” he said.
Although there is a risk involved in rock climbing, Head said it is safer than driving your car.
“There are always natural dangers, but if climbing is approached with the proper equipment, it’s safer than driving. At least with rock climbing, your life is in your own hands,” Head said.
Not only does a person need the proper equipment, but they need to know what they’re doing, said Jesse Lee, who also works at the Rock Garden.
