Rise Up Climbing, Lynchburg

Dan Hague is something of an expert on the sport of rock climbing. He even co-authored a book on the subject, The Self-Coached Climber, that lays out how amateur climbers can improve their skills on their own. Of course, if beginners and intermediate climbers want some help learning the ropes, he's more than happy to offer his expert guidance to them as well at his own facility, Rise Up Climbing. The 6,000-square-foot space houses roped climbing and bouldering walls that tower as high as 40 feet in certain spots. Lest beginners shake in their harnesses at the sight of the towering wall, the half-hour Basic Skills course teaches small groups the fundamentals of climbing, such as how to properly don a harness, belay for a partner, and talk trash to a conquered route.