Are you interested in learning the exciting and exhilarating sport of climbing? It is surely an activity that is adventurous and awe-inspiring. Learning how to climb is not something you can learn on your own or through reading. Taking a class on climbing is the best (and really the only) way to learn how to enjoy this sport.
Teachers will have the know-how and experience to teach you the basics for protection, safety and technique. In addition, you’ll learn first aid, health risks involved and what to wear on your climb.
Climbing is a general term for the many types of climbing and in class you’ll learn about the different styles. Most climbs are a combination of styles while some are specific to a location or climate. Instructors provide first hand experience on most, if not all of the styles and they’ll be able to give you the pros and cons of each one.
Bouldering is a style of climbing that is great for a beginner as it will allow you to practice your techniques on a small scale. You’ll scale a rock face or boulder a few meters high and practice your various techniques so you’re prepared for higher climbs.
Traditional (or “trad”) climbing uses ropes, harnesses, pitons, cams and other gear to make it to the top. Sport climbing is part of trad climbing but there are pre-placed bolts and other equipment so there is less work involved. It is popular since there is less time spent securing your equipment and more time enjoying the climb. Aid climbing does not have the pre-placed equipment of sport climbing and ice climbing has different equipment for climbing in sub zero temperatures.
Instructors will teach all of the basics you need to get started. This includes how to top rope, how and when to use a cam or nut and how to belay and rappel. You’ll also be taught the importance of proper footwork and the different styles of equipment. With the knowledge, you’ll be able to safely practice indoors on simulated rock faces.
Since teachers will have an immense amount of hands on experience climbing in different locations and climates, they can tell you which areas are prone to earthquakes and avalanches. They will also tell you what to do if one of these natural disasters occurs.
The internet is a great resource for finding a class and climbing gym in your area. You can also search on the internet for vacations that cater to beginning climbers. Once you have the knowledge you’ll need to get outdoors to build up your experience.

Do you need a vacation but you just can’t afford it right now? Before getting too discouraged, keep in mind that there are many ways to getaway for some peace and quiet. No, you may not be a tourist in a beachside resort, but you can definitely getaway from the demands of day-to-day life without spending thousands of dollars.
Hiking provides the opportunity to getaway in beautiful nature, enjoy peace and quiet and challenge yourself physical and mentally. It does take some preparation beforehand, though, but preparation that will be worth it. Make an agreement with yourself that you will put a little work into preparing beforehand so you can enjoy the hike as much as possible.
With the proper equipment, guidance and techniques, hiking can be a positive experience with fresh air, exercise, beautiful scenery at your fingertips and refreshing solitude. Yes, your vision of insect bits, sore legs and dusty trails can be part of hiking, but these unpleasant aspects can be avoided.
Let’s start by discussion what hiking is not about. You can hike up some hills or mountains, but keep mind that hiking is definitely not mountain climbing. Mountain climbing requires special techniques and gear so you can climb very steep mountains. It can be dangerous and even deadly at times.
The dangers of hiking generally revolve around either getting lost or getting a snake bite, both of which can be avoided with some common sense and expert guidance.
Hiking can be combined with many other activities such as kayaking or cave-exploring, among others. But, keep in mind that some may be far more physically intense and/or require specialized training. It is perfectly fine to combine hiking with another outdoor activity, just be prepared for the demands of that particular activity as well.
You will need a good pair of hiking boots as well as hiking socks, appropriate outdoor attire and possibly a backpack depending on the duration of the hike. Having the proper gear is important to ensure the hike is pleasurable and not resulting in blisters, injuries and unnecessary fatigue during the hike.
You can find quality boots, socks and outdoor clothing online on many sites or in your local sporting store. For beginner hikers, it is probably a better option to opt for a store so you can try the boot on and make sure the fit is right. Outdoor clothing and socks is a little easier to find, generally depending on the weather and area you intend to hike.
Gear such as poles, navigational tools, backpacks and other small items like bandages, inspect spray and burn cream can make the experience out on the trail far more pleasant. A navigational tool, whether a compass, map or GPS unit is important not only for pleasure purposes but mostly because it is easy to get turned around in an unfamiliar area and getting lost can definitely turn an enjoyable trip into everything but that.
So, go out and prepare for a fantastic getaway and hiking adventure!

Cycling and Mountain Biking in Crimea

Crimea can be a mountain biker’s dream come through. A large number of roads make the mountains easily accessible, and trails and dirt roads crisscross the peninsula suitable for biking.

Since bikers deal with many of the same issues as hikers, read the article about hiking in Crimea for information on water, climate, transportation, and regulations that may apply to you.

The main starting points for cyclists are Simferopol, Bakhchisaray, Sevastopol, and Feodosiya — all connected to other major Ukrainian cities (Lviv, Kiev, Kharkov, Donetsk) by train. South Shore towns like Yalta, Alushta, and Sudak are not accessible by train, so bikers rarely start there unless they are traveling as a large group and get a van to carry their bikes to their starting point. Read about transporting bikes on Ukrainian trains.

All Crimean automobile roads are suitable for road cycling, however, some are best avoided during the tourist season. For example, traffic is quite heavy on highway M18 from Sevastopol to Yalta, Alushta, and Simferopol during summer months, and moderate at other times of year. The views of the sea and mountains are beautiful. Between Foros and Alupka (25 km) there is an older highway that runs parallel to the M18 higher up the slope with very little traffic, but there are more ups and downs and in places damage from landslides (the road is no longer maintained). In one location west of Parkovoe there is a sudden half-meter drop-off in the road—an unpleasant surprise if you’re cruising down the road at 30 km/hr.

A beautiful route that is unfortunately closed to the public is the paved road from Yalta to Alushta over the highest part of the Crimean mountains through the Crimean Nature Reserve. It is 77 km long and rises to 1448 m at Nikitskyy pass, making it the highest paved road in Ukraine. Ride at your own risk, as there is a minor chance of being caught and fined, or made to turn around. Supposedly the forest patrollers watch the section between Besedka Vetrov and Chuchelskyy pass and go home after 6:00 p.m.

Southeastern Crimea also has tons of roads fit for cycling. The Kerch Peninsula is almost completely flat, but there are many roads and relatively little traffic. As strong winds can be an issue, check wind direction before finalizing the direction of travel. West of Feodosiya begin the Crimean Mountains with their great and varied scenery. In the eastern section of the mountains there are numerous paved roads up these long valleys to remote small towns and villages, as well as endless kilometers of dirt and rocky roads suitable for mountain biking.

NICE ROADS FOR CYCLING by yourself.

Bakhchisaray to Yalta (86 km), Beautiful ride with few cars through foothills and mountains with a strenuous 1000 m climb up switchbacks (over 12 km) to the stunning Ay-Petri plateau, then a steep descent into Yalta with switchbacks and more traffic. Descend into Yalta either early morning or late in the day when people are returning from Ay-Petri to Yalta and there is no oncoming traffic.

Orlinoe to Golubinka (25 km), Kholmovka to Shturmovoe (25 km), Bakhchisaray to Aromat through Schastlivoe (50 km), and Skalistoe to Nauchnyy (14 km)

These roads all run through the foothills (up to 500 m in elevation) southwest of Simferopol and have great views, varied scenery, and light automobile traffic. These routes can easily be connected to make a loop or set of loops.

Crimea’s terrain is hilly and mountainous and covered with trails and dirt roads. Grades range from flat to very steep. Once during a ride I met a Ukrainian guy from Donetsk who had marked on his topographical map all the places he had ridden; the map was literally covered in ink. He traveled alone and took a sleeping bag with him just in case night caught him on the road.

I won’t list routes here because there are hundreds of them. Any trail or dirt road can be biked if it’s not fenced off! The high-detail topographical maps show most of these trails. The easier rides, of course, are in the hills below about 500 m. Most of the “extreme” routes are above this altitude.

A good idea is to pick a destination, say, Bakhchisaray, buy topographical maps when you get there, and begin exploring areas you find interesting. Or, you can take the maps to the local Mountain Rescue Service post and get their advice on the routes you have chosen (if you speak at least some Russian/Ukrainian). See the “lodgings” section on our hiking page for tips on finding a place to stay.

Guided tours

Kirill Yasko, an experienced mountain guide living in Kyiv. He speaks English, German, Russian, and Ukrainian and has led a large number of hiking groups in the mountains of Ukraine, including several groups of foreigners. Each trek is 7 days long. Participants will need to arrange travel to Simferopol themselves (train is most convenient), where they will be picked up at the train station and taken into the mountains. In the trek itineraries below, each day’s hiking mileage is indicated in parentheses.

Valley of the Ghosts, a hike through some of the most mysterious mountains of Crimea.

Day 1 Arrival in Simferopol. Transfer to Perevalnoe village. Ascent to Chatyr-Dag Plateau. Visit equipped caves — Marble Cave and Emine-Bair-Hosar.

Day 2 Climb Mt. Eklizi-Burun. Descent to Kutuzov Lake.

Day 3 Angarskyy Pass, Funa fortress.

Day 4 Ascent to South Demerdzhi through Valley of the Ghosts.

Day 5 Dzhurla and Dzhur-Dzhur waterfalls. Haphal Gorge.

Day 6 Tyrke plateau. Karabi plateau.

Day 7 Descent to Black Sea at Rybachye village. Return to Simferopol.

Cave Towns, a hike through the ancient cave settlements of Crimea’s hilly inland with a descent to the coast.

Day 1 Arrival in Simferopol. Transfer to Bahchisaray. Tour of Bahchisaray Palace and Uspensky Monastery. Chufut-Kale cave town. Camp by Beshik-Tau Mt. (10 km)

Day 2 Tepe-Kermen cave town. Visit Kyz-Kermen ruins. Descent into the Kacha River valley. Kachi-Kalyon Monastery. Camp by the river. (14 km)

Day 3 Hike through Crimean oak forest to the Chelter-Koba Monastery. Belbek River crossing. Syuiren Fortress. (16 km)

Day 4 Climb to Mangup-Kale plateau. Mangup cave town, capital of the Feodoro princedom. Camp next to the ruins of the city walls. (12 km)

Day 5 Descent to Adim-Chokrak Valley. Shuldan cave monastery. Eski-Kermen cave town. (12 km)

Day 6 Descent to the coast near Inkerman. Kalamita tower. Arrival in Balaklava. Camp by the sea cost next to the Golden Beach. (15 km)

Day 7 Chembalo fortress. Tour of underground submarine factory. Transfer to Sevastopol. (5 km)

Canyons of Crimea, a classic hike through Crimea’s picturesque canyons and mountains.

Day 1 Arrival in Simferopol. Transfer to Sevastopol. City overview. Transfer to Morozovka village. Camp by the Black River. (5 km)

Day 2 River crossing. Chernorechenskiy Canyon. Hike upstream through the canyon floor. Camp in the canyon. (6 km)

Day 3 Leaving the canyon. Baidar valley crossing. Visit Skelska Cave. (16 km)

Day 4 Ascent to Uzundzha canyon. Hike through beech forest to the Te?house camp. (15 km)

Day 5 Descent to Silver Waterfall. Camp by the entrance to Crimea’s Grand Canyon. (12 km)

Day 6 Hike through the Grand Canyon. Tthe Bath of Youth. Climb to the northern edge of Ay-Petri Plateau. (15 km)

Day 7 Ay-Petri Plateau crossing. Descent to the Uchan-Su waterfall through Taraktash Gorge. Transfer to Yalta. Return to Simferopol. (12 km)

Above the Sea, a hike along the rim of Crimea’s highest mountains with the Black Sea ever in view below.

Day 1 Arrival in Simferopol. Transfer to Angarskiy Pass. Climb upper plateau of Chatyrdag. Rest at the top of Eklizi-Burun Mt. Descent to Saurgan Meadow. (5 km)

Day 2 Cross the Safun-Uzen River valley. Ascent to Babugan Plateau. Camp next to forbidden deer-forest. (10 km)

Day 3 Hike along edge of Babugan Plateau. Roman-Kosh Mt. (highest in Crimea at 1545 m). Gurzuf Pass and Arbour of the Winds. Camp at treeline. (12 km)

Day 4 Hike along plateau above Yalta. Taraktash Gorge. (12 km)

Day 5 Ascent to the Ay-Petri Mt. Visit oriental bazaar. Tour of Three Eye Cave. Descent to Besh-Tekne Hollow. (12 km)

Day 6 Walk through the Guerrilla Forest. Climb old Roman road to Shaytan-Merdven Pass. (15 km)

Day 7 Hiking along Foros mountain ridge. Tour of Foros church. Baidarskiy Pass. Descent to Laspi Bay. Rest at the seashore. Transfer to Sevastopol. (40 km)

Crimea Mountain Bike Tour, see the Cave Towns and South Shore of Crimea. This is a non-technical mountain bike tour around some of southwest Crimea’s most interesting sights.

Day 1 Arrival in Simferopol. Transfer to Crimean Observatory. Lunch. Briefing, safety equipment. Uphill and downhill training. Bike trip in vicinity of observatory. Dinner. Tour of observatory and telescope viewing. Camp. (8km)

Day 2 Breakfast. Trip across Sel-Buhra to Tepe-Kermen cave town. Visit Kyz-Kermen cave town. Set up camp. Dinner. (18km)

Day 3 Breakfast. Transfer to Bakhchisaray. Tour of Bahchisaray Palace and Uspenskiy Monastery. Journey to the Kacha River valley and Tash-Air — an ancient campground with rock paintings (4000 B.C.). Set up camp. Dinner. (25 km)

Day 4 Breakfast. Journey to the Belbek valley. Lunch. Ride to Khodzhi-Sala village. Rest at lake. Climb to Mangup-Kale plateau. Visit the capital of Feodoro princedom — Mangup cave town. Set up camp near the ruins of the city walls. Dinner. (35 km)

Day 5 Breakfast. Passage to Ternovka village. Cave monastery Shuldan and Cholter-Marmara lookout. Passage to Black River. Visit 16th century fortress. Lunch. Black River Canyon. Swimming in lake. Set up camp near the river. Dinner. (35 km)

Day 6 Breakfast. Passage to Morozovka village. Lunch. Journey to Cape Aya. Descent to the Black Sea. Set up camp by the shore. Dinner. (30 km)

Day 7 Breakfast. Pass above Golden Beach to Chembalo fortress. Descent into Balaklava. Lunch. Transfer to Sevastopol. End of tour. (6km)

All tours cost around 220 Euros apart from the last one, which costs around 290 Euros with rental of bike and around 250 Euros without.

Payment is at the end of each tour. Prices are indicated in each trek description below. You will see that they are very reasonable, as they include all meals, transfers, and guide services. For the bike tour, a car escort is also included in the cost. Prices can change depending on changes made to itineraries and any additional services or activities participants choose to add to the tour.

All hikes are intended for normal people in good condition without special training. Average walking time per day is 6 hours. Participants live in tents and are expected to bring all necessary gear with them. However, equipment rental can be arranged if given prior notice. Meals are cooked on a fire. Food for three meals a day is included in the cost of each tour. Tour members carry their own belongings, carry water, and are expected to help gather firewood and tend the fire. Conveniences such as toilets and showers will be nonexistent. When you order a tour Kirill will take into account your preferences for routes, food, and service. You may go alone, with family (including children), or with friends. You can also take pets along. The usual group size is 6 to 15 people.

Standing on the highest peak of the mountain you just spent hours climbing; braving the wilderness and dangers a typical mountain has will make anybody proud and happy. There is a feeling of satisfaction and pleasure when you’re seeing the view you worked very hard for, you just appreciate nature more, you don’t want to leave, you just want to stay there forever, of course you can’t, that’s why you keep doing it. That is why I think avid mountain climbers, hikers and skiers like what they do. But there are still ways to heighten your experience a little bit more, take a closer look within and under the mountain and do some rock climbing.

Climbing the exciting cliffs of the mountains in Breckenridge, Colorado for example can take a lot of physical exertion for anybody. But for any dedicated person and the rewards of course, it’s all about the experience. Breckenridge is a great destination for seasoned climbers and beginners as well. Rock climbing is not for the feeble. But a lot of practice and dedication can go a very long way. Well of course a few tips could help too.

Now don’t just go and attempt to climb the first boulder you come across if I had you all excited with this article. If you don’t have any climbing experience at all, you are bound to just go as high as a few feet or meters if you’re lucky. Climbing can be a very difficult experience if you just go about it not learning the proper way. And by proper way, I mean inside a climbing gym supervised by professionals. Breckenridge Recreation Center has 2,500 square feet of climbing walls for you to practice in. Now that’s a lot of practice for anyone, beginner and pros alike. Easy slab routes are perfect for starters and overhanging routes are set by professionals to imitate what an experienced climber would encounter on the mountains.

Professional climbing instructors in Breckenridge Recreation Center offer climbing lessons for those who want pointers and tips. Depending on age and skill level, the classes will vary and includes technical information and practical sound advice. Classes are spent half of the day inside the climbing gym and half outdoors for the climbers to experience the real thing and practice what they have learned.

The proper know-how of a sport is always and foremost the most basic guiding principle of learning a new sport. Gaining the basic information by reading about rock climbing is an absolute necessity. Learning the terms, the safety precautions, the proper gear and how to use it, and even the climber’s lingo can help you greatly even before you begin to learn how to climb.

Use only appropriate and well fitted gear. Breckenridge Recreation Center, like most climbing gyms, rents shoes and harnesses, provide chalk bags, belaying devices and of course, expert belayers. As you get more practice and have a little bit of experience under your belt, you’ll want to purchase gear that is perfect according to your specifications. Consider your height and weight when getting the right harness, getting the right one is crucial. Have a professional, a sales clerk or someone with experience help you find the right fit. You will also need a stock of carabineers, or hooks to attach to your harness.

Chalk and a chalk bag are needed for gripping onto the rock; this will keep your clammy hands dry for a better grip. The most obvious gear you should have is a rope; it should be about 10 millimeters in diameter and about 60 meters long. In case of a fall, the rope should stretch a bit in order for it to carry the tension made by your weight. To hold your rope and hold on to it in case you fall, protection that works while you climb. Safety first. Don’t ruin a perfect day with an unnecessary mishap.

Breckenridge, Colorado is not only known for its snow covered mountains, a great ski trip destination during winter but also a place to be during summer. The mountains are exquisite for any rock climber, professional or beginner. Rock climbing is a very physically demanding sport; a very fit body, strong heart, dedication and perseverance are necessities for anybody who would and is in this sport. If heavenly and breathtaking views are not enough to lure you, Breckenridge is considered a vacationers paradise. Spas, restaurants, and if you stay long enough till Fall you might catch the ever famous Aspen trees change their color of their leaves. Ahh, yes, golden-yellow leaves cascading the mountains. Beautiful.