Taiwan
Fun Magazine, June 2003
It's tough, adrenaline
infused, and mentally challenging. It¡¦s a long way up, one
step at a time, a climb towards a goal clear in your mind.
It¡¦s rock climbing.
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This
sport puts your determination to the test. As advanced
rock climber and insurance salesperson Lee Yo-ling,
28, puts it: ¡§It assesses your knowledge of different
techniques, and when you get to the top, you think
¡¥hey, cool, how did I do that?¡¦¡¨
He
says most participants climb for the exercise and
excitement, but explains that for many, only in the
early stages is excitement an important factor. After
that, the mental challenge of seeking out the best
route takes over.
Lee,
who¡¦s been involved in the sport for seven years,
says climbing is becoming more and more popular, largely
thanks to the creation of more facilities.
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The
Taipei area offers a number of choices. National Taiwan
University and National Chengchi University provide climbing
walls free of charge. In the metropolitan area, Taipei Youth
Activity Center (17, RenAi Rd., Sec. 1) is said to be one
of the best places for beginners to start; six-hour classes
once a week cost NT$2000. There¡¦s also Taipei Rock Climbing
Gym (30, Lanchow Rd.) Or you can head to Hsin Tien¡¦s Liu
Gong Park (near BingLang Road and ZhongHsing Road under
the freeway overpass) for a free climb up a padded rubber
wall eight meters high, provided you bring your own rope.
For
advanced climbers, several locations around Taipei
offer natural boulders and rocks. Among them are Yangmingshan¡¦s
Ta Paow Yen, Hsin Peitou¡¦s Le Hai Yen Chang (there
are hot pools as well) and East Bei¡¦s Jiaow Long
Tong.
So
go on, have the most rewarding climb of your life!
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