About Sierra McGivney

Sierra McGivney graduated in May 2021 with a degree in journalism and expeditionary studies at SUNY Plattsburgh. She spent the summer of 2020 as an intern for the Adirondack Explorer.

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  1. Vanessa says

    Super fun article 😀 I got started climbing at a gym in Glens Falls.

    I’ve never heard of “Dude on Rock,” and have climbed for over a decade! …well, first time for everything?

    Some other tips: unless you are already athletic and have good upper body strength, DEFINITELY start indoors. It is so easy to injure yourself, often seriously, and outside is less forgiving. Trad climbing least forgiving of all, in my opinion. I too have heard that ADK has not very many sport routes. Have also heard that the approaches to ADK cliffs are sometimes full day hikes in themselves…

    Also, climbing is expensive and you’ll want to rent your gear before buying it. Gym is cheapest place to do that.

    You want to learn from someone super experienced, but imo you’ll have the most fun with a climbing partner at the same-ish level of skill as you. It is not always fun to watch your partner flash that sick 5.12 when you’re struggling with a 5.8. Pick your mentors carefully if you’re not hiring a trained guide, which as stated, is a great idea.

    And to the climbing ladies: I love you, we love you, but sometimes your climbing partner just wants to get in your spandex leggings instead of helping you grow as an athlete… (is that a censorable comment? Lol)

    I’ve seen plenty of healthy climbing partnerships across gender, but! It’s still a macho, mostly white sport that is suffering growing pains since it’s so popular now. There are the coolest, most legit people in the world that climb, but there is also drama and some jerks. As Sierra says, if you don’t trust your partner with your life, literally, don’t climb with them!

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