Obed Offering Free Rock Climbing Lessons

The Obed Wild and Scenic River is offering free rock climbing lessons through its Climb with a Ranger program next weekend.

Obed Wild Scenic River Active Chief of Interpretation and Education Daniel Banks said the program allows new aspiring rock climbers to climb with a ranger to help them get eased into the sport. Banks said the lessons are to help those who want to rock climb but are not sure where to start.

“This is a really good opportunity for people who are a little bit nervous to come out and just try it,” Banks said. “Cause you know, they have some people who have done it their whole lives and their whole career and you have law enforcement rangers who are trained, so this is a really good opportunity for people to come out and just kind of try it and see whether they like it or not.”

Banks said the lessons have helped the park’s initiative to grow the local rock climbing community. Banks said rock climbing can be easy to pick up for all ages, especially with the help of a ranger.

“For Climb with a Ranger, they usually set up four or five different climbing roots out there,” Banks said. “They range from the really easy ones to the ones that can be more challenging so really anybody at any level when they come out for Climb with a Ranger they can pick it up quickly.”

Banks said the only things you need to bring to the lessons are yourself and maybe a snack and a drink.

“They’ve worked really hard to make it to where you don’t need to bring anything with you,” Banks said. “As far as the equipment itself you should be able to just show up and we would have everything that you need.”

Banks said the park has offered lessons for about 15 years. Banks believes the program has been successful as the park has been able to grow the sport of rock climbing through various programs.