The world’s top 10 rock climbing locations

Lucy Grewcock    rockclimbingholidays     climbing, climbing in New Zealand, climbing in switzerland, Climbing in the US, Climbing in Yosemite, Rock Climbing, rock climbing holidays, rockclimbing

From near-vertical granite walls and icy ascents, to contorted sandstone spires, bolted volcanic domes and hanging limestone crags, every climber will have a personal preference of what represents the world’s ‘best’ rock climbing.

Yosemite - home to 'El Cap' Image: Flickr/ jitze

Plucking out some of the best-known and most revered routes from around the globe, our ‘top ten’ embraces this diverse discipline, and gives an insight into some of the most challenging routes in the sport.

If you’re unhealthily obsessed by scaling massive chunks of rock and making your way back down again, be sure to attempt at least one of these world-class challenges at some point in your lifetime.

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Get Climbing!

Mark Pawlak    rockclimbingholidays     climbing, free climbing, ice climbing, mountain climbing, Rock Climbing

Just launched, we are on the lookout for climbers who are bloggers and bloggers who climb. So, pretty soon we hope to have roped together a team of writers who can advise on the best routes, the best gear, the accommodation and hostels to crash in when you go, and the most inspiring countries to visit.

Climbing: The ultimate confidence builder Image: Flickr/alexindigo

Don’t worry about it all getting really technical – while we’ll search out experts so they can share their years of experience, we are also looking for people new to the sport.

I’ve climbed maybe a dozen times, but always with someone belaying on the other end of the rope, and there’s so much to learn! Apart from getting ‘disco knee’ on just about every ascent, I used muscles that I never imagined I had: how is it possible to have muscles in your fingers?

Adventure sports build confidence, but having enjoyed all manner of pursuits, rockclimbing is the one that instantly helps you face fear. It also needs you to have an unwavering faith in both your equipment and the people climbing with you. So in one way it’s a very solo experience – almost entirely so when you look at the free climbers – but in another, it’s a team challenge.

And the rewards are instant. When you reach the top of your first climb, regardless of how high or which grade it was, the payback is immense. And you often get to abseil back down!

If you’ve got stories to share and the knowledge to bring great posts to our latest blog, drop us a line.