Israel Climbers Association

Climbing is a sport disguised as a physical challenge that's really a community: on the mat by the wall, there's always someone to shout beta, hold your rope or argue about the right way to solve a boulder problem. The Israel Climbers Association is the official body that brings this whole scene together.

The association runs courses for every level — from your first time on a wall to advanced certifications — and organizes official competitions throughout the year. The website also carries an organized directory of climbing walls across the country, so you may discover there's a wall much closer to you than you thought.

Want to start? Visit the association's site, find a wall or course in your area, and show up. One first session on the wall — and there's a good chance you'll understand why climbers never stop talking about it.