One of my favorite aspects of climbing is that it's impromptu vertical engineering. Other favorite aspects: it's incredibly meditative as it more or less deman

One of my favorite aspects of climbing is that it's impromptu vertical engineering. Other favorite aspects: it's incredibly meditative as it more or less demands complete mindfulness; the kinesthetics are incredible -- simply doing the motion successfully is like a dance with nature* -- the payoff is huge and obvious (you get up or you don't) with constant new challenges as you grow your ability; there's a long gradation of risk, allowing you to stretch your mental comfort zones (or stay in them)... hell, I love everything about it. * Edited to footnote: with more cursing, in my case.