New Yorkers are always finding new creative ways to stay in shape when indoor workouts and morning routine jogs around Central Park become mundane. If you catch yourself getting a little distraught at someone for taking “your” treadmill out of the sea of machines available at the gym, it may be time to try a new approach to staying active. Instead of searching for the latest yoga and Tae Bo classes as an alternative, why not challenge yourself, breathe in some fresh mountain air and live life on the edge. It’s time for some rock climbing in the Gunks.
Alpine Endeavors is a hiking, climbing, and mountaineering guide service based in the New Paltz area, about an hour and a half outside of the city. The company offers rock climbing along the Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park from mid-March to mid-November and ice climbing daily during winter in the Catskills as well as the Adirondacks, and White Mountains of New Hampshire.
For those who have never been climbing before, the beginner’s course teaches the basics such as knots, belaying, rappelling, climbing techniques, and of course, safety measures. There are half and full-day courses available that are tailored to fit your needs, so you will be guided through the level that you feel most comfortable with.
All of the senior guides have been certified by the American Mountain Guides Association, which has been educating guides for over twenty-five years. If you find you have a knack for rock climbing, don’t let the cold steer you away from the thrilling adventure of ice climbing.
Rock Climbing in the Gunks Includes a Stroll in Town
Make sure to take some time to stroll through the free-spirited town of New Paltz. Walking around the village is an instant reminder that Woodstock is not far away, with shops sporting names like “EarthGoods” and “Art in Soul.” Rock and Snow is the outdoors supply store where guests can meet up with their guides.
If you need gear, let the store know you are climbing with Alpine Endeavors for 10% off your purchase. In the meantime, the staff of passionate rock climbers will answer any questions you may have about the sport—and what you are getting yourself into.
Alpine Endeavors does ask that you make reservations a week in advance, but it still beats waiting in line to use the elliptical machines at the gym.
How to get there:
Contact Alpine Endeavors for specific directions to your ice climbing destination, be it the Catskills, Adirondacks, or the White Mountains. For rock climbing, take the Adirondack Trailways bus line out of New York Port Authority on 8th Ave and 42nd St. to New Paltz bus terminal.
From the bus station in New Paltz, make a right and take a five-minute downhill walk to Rock and Snow, 44 Main St., on the left-hand side. It’s the building with a peace sign on the front door. Alpine Endeavors offers a variety of different hiking, mountaineering, and climbing trips in other locations including the nearby Catskills. Check out the website or call for pricing and more information. (Alpine Endeavors, 845.658.3094, alpinendeavors.com)
Photos: Alpine Endeavors
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram