Once on the fringe of popular culture, climbing has recently experienced a surge in popularity. 

Many new to climbing or those interested in the sport may not know that the Park County area has a variety of sport climbing and bouldering locations to choose from.

“I’ve been here for 19 years now and in that time frame climbing has gotten more popular,” outdoor instructor Keith McAllister said.

Northwest College hosts open wall climbing on Mondays, and regular attendance has exploded in size from a handful of people to more than 20. 

In Park County, residents can also find both sport and boulder climbing that ranges from beginner to advanced. “The Island” just past Cody toward Yellowstone is a popular spot for sport climbers who want an easy climbing experience or something more challenging. Bouldering can be found at Cedar Mountain, which McAllister says is the popular climbing discipline in the Cody area.

Sport climbing is a type of climbing where the climber clips into a series of preplaced anchors on a route on a chosen rock face. 

Bouldering is ropeless climbing that typically ranges from several feet to 20 feet; these routes are called problems.

With any extreme sport it’s important to be prepared. The first step in preparation comes with gaining experience. A beginning climber can learn from friends, guides and climbing gyms. 

People in the Powell and Cody area who are interested in learning more are encouraged to reach out to NWC’s outdoor program about putting on a class.

“We’re always putting stuff together for folks,” McAllister said.

Climbing allows the athlete to rely on their gear to a certain degree but it’s important to have the gear on hand. Northwest College can rent students helmets, shoes and bouldering pads, while outfitters in the area and online shops can provide “soft gear” like harnesses, ropes and a belay device. 

“Especially younger people injure themselves and end up putting themselves out for the rest of the season,” McAllister said.

McAllister advises paying attention to your shoulders, tendons and hands before climbing. These body parts are all heavily used in the sport and can be overlooked.

Climbing can be an activity for most people regardless of shape and does not have to be an intense workout. The sport can be carried on later into life. In fact, McAllister says he knows older climbers who are “hardcore.”