Great Family Vacations Need Some Adventure - Try Rock Climbing in the Black Hills of South Dakota
Out on the rocks, the big open blue sky just seems to open up to me day after beautiful sunny day.
I'm a rock climbing guide here in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, and might just have the best office space in the country.
From late spring through the fall, groups of friends and families of all shapes, ages, sizes and ability levels file into Sylvan Rocks Climbing School and Guide Service.
Most have come from the city, and have a few days to rest, relax, and make the vacation memories that will last a lifetime.
It is a tall order.
Our work weeks in America continue to grow longer and our vacation time shrinks.
The growth in "productivity" that the financial markets love comes at a cost to us all.
So how can we make up for it? Imagine if you will, the average family of 4 or group of collage friends heading out for a break from the daily grind.
They see the Black Hills of South Dakota on the map, decide their life will be incomplete without a visit to the "shrine of democracy,"AKA Mount Rushmore.
They head out on the great American road trip.
While huge faces carved into granite are genuinely impressive, most people tire of being a tourist and are looking for something more.
Everyone wants a way to feel the environment, get a little exercise, and bond with each other.
Tell you what, holding a rope that controls your friends fate while they are 100+ feet off the ground is a bond and a memory that won't soon be forgotten.
The photo from the summit is pretty good too.
I've had the great opportunity to share this experience with many.
It continues to amaze me how fast parents and kids relax and start having fun together when neither on has to be the boss.
That's where I come in.
A professional rock climbing guide brings this experience to your level.
Climbing schools fit everyone in the needed rock climbing shoes, climbing harness, climbing helmet, grab some ropes and snacks and head out for the day.
Many of guest have never rock climbed, but others have been to rock climbing walls or gyms, or have even climbed outdoors a little.
It's always good to start with a review of the basics, and move on at your ability and comfort level.
(Just between you and me, EVEN TEENAGERS LIKE TO ROCK CLIMB) Modern climbing shoes are pretty darn amazing, and once you figure out that it's possible to stand on a micro-sized nubbin you can get up about anything we put a rope on.
Most the routes around here lean in enough that climbers can stand on their feet rather then pull up with their arms.
The younger the kids, the more natural climbing seems to be.
Everyone is pretty much out of their element, so everyone pulls together and supports each other on their way to the summit.
The summits around here are special places.
I've heard that the people of Nepal believe that the Gods live on the summits.
If I were a god, I'd live up there too.
The sights are breathtaking.
To the north there is Bear Butte, a site sacred to the Lakota, to the east lies Badlands National Park, the south finds the SD plains, and the view to the west is of the Black Hills National Forest highlands.
Throw in Harney Peak and a sunny breezy day, and you have a memory.
The journey to the top is what makes it so memorable though.
A climbing rope, proper training, and professional climbing guide make things safe.
Each person climbs the rock in their own way to the summit.
With so many routes to choose from, the Black Hills holds a challenge for everyone.
Now, there is a little rivalry sometimes, but that's OK.
When little brother is climbing better then dad and big sister it can do a lot for him, and everyone still manages to have fun and get to the top.
Many people find themselves standing atop Devils Tower in WY after just a few days of training.
This 700 foot tall rock is truly unique.
It grows out in the middle of the eastern Wyoming plains, and is a goal for many of our guest.
With a little education and a lot of desire, most people can get there.
Trust me, there have been more then a few tears of joy, and sharing such moments with friends and family is an honor.
If I were looking for something fun to do with my vacation time, I'd step out of my mundane world in to the vertical world and go rock climbing.
I'm a rock climbing guide here in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, and might just have the best office space in the country.
From late spring through the fall, groups of friends and families of all shapes, ages, sizes and ability levels file into Sylvan Rocks Climbing School and Guide Service.
Most have come from the city, and have a few days to rest, relax, and make the vacation memories that will last a lifetime.
It is a tall order.
Our work weeks in America continue to grow longer and our vacation time shrinks.
The growth in "productivity" that the financial markets love comes at a cost to us all.
So how can we make up for it? Imagine if you will, the average family of 4 or group of collage friends heading out for a break from the daily grind.
They see the Black Hills of South Dakota on the map, decide their life will be incomplete without a visit to the "shrine of democracy,"AKA Mount Rushmore.
They head out on the great American road trip.
While huge faces carved into granite are genuinely impressive, most people tire of being a tourist and are looking for something more.
Everyone wants a way to feel the environment, get a little exercise, and bond with each other.
Tell you what, holding a rope that controls your friends fate while they are 100+ feet off the ground is a bond and a memory that won't soon be forgotten.
The photo from the summit is pretty good too.
I've had the great opportunity to share this experience with many.
It continues to amaze me how fast parents and kids relax and start having fun together when neither on has to be the boss.
That's where I come in.
A professional rock climbing guide brings this experience to your level.
Climbing schools fit everyone in the needed rock climbing shoes, climbing harness, climbing helmet, grab some ropes and snacks and head out for the day.
Many of guest have never rock climbed, but others have been to rock climbing walls or gyms, or have even climbed outdoors a little.
It's always good to start with a review of the basics, and move on at your ability and comfort level.
(Just between you and me, EVEN TEENAGERS LIKE TO ROCK CLIMB) Modern climbing shoes are pretty darn amazing, and once you figure out that it's possible to stand on a micro-sized nubbin you can get up about anything we put a rope on.
Most the routes around here lean in enough that climbers can stand on their feet rather then pull up with their arms.
The younger the kids, the more natural climbing seems to be.
Everyone is pretty much out of their element, so everyone pulls together and supports each other on their way to the summit.
The summits around here are special places.
I've heard that the people of Nepal believe that the Gods live on the summits.
If I were a god, I'd live up there too.
The sights are breathtaking.
To the north there is Bear Butte, a site sacred to the Lakota, to the east lies Badlands National Park, the south finds the SD plains, and the view to the west is of the Black Hills National Forest highlands.
Throw in Harney Peak and a sunny breezy day, and you have a memory.
The journey to the top is what makes it so memorable though.
A climbing rope, proper training, and professional climbing guide make things safe.
Each person climbs the rock in their own way to the summit.
With so many routes to choose from, the Black Hills holds a challenge for everyone.
Now, there is a little rivalry sometimes, but that's OK.
When little brother is climbing better then dad and big sister it can do a lot for him, and everyone still manages to have fun and get to the top.
Many people find themselves standing atop Devils Tower in WY after just a few days of training.
This 700 foot tall rock is truly unique.
It grows out in the middle of the eastern Wyoming plains, and is a goal for many of our guest.
With a little education and a lot of desire, most people can get there.
Trust me, there have been more then a few tears of joy, and sharing such moments with friends and family is an honor.
If I were looking for something fun to do with my vacation time, I'd step out of my mundane world in to the vertical world and go rock climbing.