Before rocks, humans were forced to climb lava, sinking hands into reams of molten fire while scrambling to reach the top of giant, liquid-earth plumes—where the reward was gratification and more lava. Experience a similar, safer rush with today's deal: for $30, you get two introductory bouldering lessons from the Arcadia Rock Climbing Gym, up to a $70 value. Each class includes a half-hour lesson, a full-day climbing pass, and all the necessary equipment to discover your inner mountain-rock octopus. Use both classes yourself, or split the two classes with a friend to conquer the cliffs in tandem. Classes must be scheduled ahead of time.

Bouldering, rock climbing's weird cousin who only wears sleeveless shirts, condenses the challenge of scaling a wall by contorting the vertical plane into strange shapes, inversions, convexes, and concaves. Every route becomes a problem, an intense, Escheresque puzzle of grit and physical stamina that builds endurance, spatial-thinking skills, and body awareness. The introductory classes will impart the basics of navigating these challenging routes.

Students will learn the basics of foot placement, grip types, feature classes, and, for the taller problems, how to belay your partner with a safety rope, in case the ascent finds him objectionable and attempts to sneeze him off. Before you know it, your hands will transform into rubber suckers that emit pleasant popping noises as you clamber up, down, and over ARC's wide expanses of climbing terrain, covered with state-of-the-art textured products that mimic the conditions of actual rocks, indentations, protrusions, overhangs, underhangs, and ornery mountain goats. Arcadia Rock Climbing's experienced instructors dote on their new climbers like mother ducks, guiding first-timers safely from freshly hatched rookies to graceful, eagle-eyed mountaineers.

Reviews

Yelpers give the Arcadia Rock Climbing Gym an average of four stars:

• The place had a super laid-back feel. There were kids there for a party and from what we could tell, some avid climbers. Though it hurt to drive home after and to type this review, I hope to revisit soon. – Ellen Sue C.
• ARC was designed as a training ground for serious climbers, but, as a true beginner, it was a great experience and I had a fun time! I'd totally come back. – Ken C.