Climbing and Related Pastimes
Climbing is one of the basic skills acquired as children. From the first time you climb out of a cot or playpen through to scaling Mount Everest in middle age when you have made a mountain of money - climbing is a fun way to experience the outside and the thrill of heights.
That is assuming you are thrilled by heights rather than terrified.
Monkey, bears, goats and cats enjoy climbing as do humans. In the absence of any wildlife drawing skills the illustrations are stickman style. All available on cool product. Enjoy a refreshing brew in a fun mug next time you reach the summit.
The purist will say there are activities that are not strictly climbing related. That is fair comment. But all the activities on this page an element of being off ground - even slightly - without being fully airborne.
Here is a set of climbing related activities with a little comment and fun graphics.
That is assuming you are thrilled by heights rather than terrified.
Monkey, bears, goats and cats enjoy climbing as do humans. In the absence of any wildlife drawing skills the illustrations are stickman style. All available on cool product. Enjoy a refreshing brew in a fun mug next time you reach the summit.
The purist will say there are activities that are not strictly climbing related. That is fair comment. But all the activities on this page an element of being off ground - even slightly - without being fully airborne.
Here is a set of climbing related activities with a little comment and fun graphics.
Abseiling or Rappelling
I am unclear what the difference is between abseiling and rappelling. It may just be the language because rappel is a French word.
Either way it involves a piece of rope dangling over the edge of something tall, vertical and scarily high.
A cliff. A rope. A climber.
What's the difference between an abseiler and a faller? The abseiler doesn't let go.
Either way it involves a piece of rope dangling over the edge of something tall, vertical and scarily high.
A cliff. A rope. A climber.
What's the difference between an abseiler and a faller? The abseiler doesn't let go.
Abseiling or Rappelling Gifts >>
Bungee Jumping
Stand somewhere very high up - a bridge is good. Tie rubber band to legs. Jump off.
I couldn't even face the bridge so hats off to people who get fun out of this. Their hat has probably already fallen off.
The idea of bungee jumping is to get as close as possible to the ground below without actually crashing into it.
You put a lot of trust into the people operating the jump - checking the wind, the weights, the quality and length of the bungee.
I couldn't even face the bridge so hats off to people who get fun out of this. Their hat has probably already fallen off.
The idea of bungee jumping is to get as close as possible to the ground below without actually crashing into it.
You put a lot of trust into the people operating the jump - checking the wind, the weights, the quality and length of the bungee.
Bungee Jumping Gifts >>
Caving
Why is Caving on a Climbing page? Because caving is essentially climbing underground.
Crawling through damp dark places deep below the surface of the earth. Exploring underground passageways and cave systems.
In the US they call it spelunking which sounds fun.
Not recommended for people with claustrophobia or those who like to keep their feet firmly on the ground - rather than a thousand feet beneath it.
Caving covers many more disciplines than just crawling. Climbing and sometimes swimming through flooded systems, map reading, archaeology and paleontology - and a need to be fit, level-headed and fairly trim.
Crawling through damp dark places deep below the surface of the earth. Exploring underground passageways and cave systems.
In the US they call it spelunking which sounds fun.
Not recommended for people with claustrophobia or those who like to keep their feet firmly on the ground - rather than a thousand feet beneath it.
Caving covers many more disciplines than just crawling. Climbing and sometimes swimming through flooded systems, map reading, archaeology and paleontology - and a need to be fit, level-headed and fairly trim.
Caving and Spelunking Gifts >>
The image below takes the word "Cave" and turns it into a set of cave tunnels with cavers attempting a variety of ways to work their way through.
Cave Gifts >>
Climb
Climb is an instruction or description. Get on and do a climb! That was a great climb.
The graphic below uses the word to make an attractive illustration for climbing. It comes with snowy peaks and a number of stickmen mountain climbers aiming to reach the top.
It seemed like a fun idea. The image is clear and easy to read from a distance. Hand drawn letters feel right, and the colours are good. Look closer and you can see the stickman.
My drawing is a journey. Still aiming for the summit.
Climb Gifts >>
Indoor Climbing
There are a lot of gym activities designed to put people through a punishing regime to improve fitness and wellbeing. For already active agile people indoor climbing is a lot of fun.
Climbing means supporting your body weight, stretching, holding and generally giving yourself a workout.
Ideal for people who don't have access to mountains or much free time to travel to them. It is also a whole lot safer. The climbing walls have grab holds spaced and shaped differently depending on the skill level.
It may not be so much of a view when you get to the top but indoor climbing is a fast-growing activity and a safe way to learn the basics of mountaineering.
Climbing means supporting your body weight, stretching, holding and generally giving yourself a workout.
Ideal for people who don't have access to mountains or much free time to travel to them. It is also a whole lot safer. The climbing walls have grab holds spaced and shaped differently depending on the skill level.
It may not be so much of a view when you get to the top but indoor climbing is a fast-growing activity and a safe way to learn the basics of mountaineering.
Indoor Climbing Stickman Gifts >>
Parkour
Parkour or freerunning has been recognised as a sport. It is not really an organised sporting event with a team uniform, coach and sponsorship - although advertisers will chase anything remotely resembling the important youth market.
Parkour is a street sport. An anarchic expression of physical free spirit similar to graffiti but without paint and tags.
Use buildings and street furniture to rapidly move from one place to another - preferably with exciting and dangerous jumps and stunts thrown in. Ideal entertainment for ten second video clips shared across social networks.
Parkour is a street sport. An anarchic expression of physical free spirit similar to graffiti but without paint and tags.
Use buildings and street furniture to rapidly move from one place to another - preferably with exciting and dangerous jumps and stunts thrown in. Ideal entertainment for ten second video clips shared across social networks.
Parkour Gifts >>
Rock Climbing
See a big hill, cliff or mountain and attempt to climb it. Optionally get fit, buy equipment and train before attempting.
Mountain climbing seems an interesting mixture of supreme fitness, acquisition of skills, nerve and daring. Judging the balance between what can be achieved and what is too risky.
The classic phrase "Why did you climb it? Because it was there" may be one of the best answers to that sort of query.
Free climbing is for people who think rock climbing is a bit too safe. Same sort of thing but without so much safety equipment.
Mountain climbing seems an interesting mixture of supreme fitness, acquisition of skills, nerve and daring. Judging the balance between what can be achieved and what is too risky.
The classic phrase "Why did you climb it? Because it was there" may be one of the best answers to that sort of query.
Free climbing is for people who think rock climbing is a bit too safe. Same sort of thing but without so much safety equipment.
Rock Climbing Stickman Gifts >>
Slacklining
A loosely tensioned line is suspended between trees or other supports - not very high off the ground.
The person uses balance to travel across the rope.
A good exercise for posture, fitness, inner peace and sense of achievement.
The person uses balance to travel across the rope.
A good exercise for posture, fitness, inner peace and sense of achievement.
Slacklining Gifts >>
Speed Climbing
Uses a standardized indoor climbing wall with the object being to scale it faster than your opponent.
Not for climbing purists - a more knockabout style of climbing as athletic endeavour.
Featuring in the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Not for climbing purists - a more knockabout style of climbing as athletic endeavour.
Featuring in the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Ziplining
For people with a head for heights who like the idea of travelling fast down them without actually falling.
Usually a cable down a mountainside or similar with an attachment that means you can hold on and get close to the feeling of flying.
Usually a cable down a mountainside or similar with an attachment that means you can hold on and get close to the feeling of flying.
Ziplining Stickman Gifts >>
Zorbing
Zorbs or spheres are giant round plastic orbs that a whole person can get inside. Sometimes more than one person.
The orb rolls down a hill and that is no doubt very exciting.
Some zorbs can go on water and other smaller torso covering zorbs can be used to play games like football. It sounds like an abzorbing pastime.
The film Zorba the Greek has nothing to do with the sport so avoid unless you want to be disappointed.
The orb rolls down a hill and that is no doubt very exciting.
Some zorbs can go on water and other smaller torso covering zorbs can be used to play games like football. It sounds like an abzorbing pastime.
The film Zorba the Greek has nothing to do with the sport so avoid unless you want to be disappointed.
Zorbing Gifts >>
We Reached The Top!
Or more accurately, the end.
Whichever, I can sit back and enjoy the view from here. A completed page and on the horizon, perhaps a coffee.
Thanks for being my belay partner.
Created by Mark Ewbie. Last Updated: December 23, 2025.