25 outdoor things to do before summer ends

Photograph: Dave Sanders

3. Climb a rock—indoors and out

Never climbed before
For just $60, get a one-hour rope-climbing and bouldering lesson, plus equipment rental at Manhattan Plaza Health Club (482 W 43rd St between Ninth and Tenth Aves; 212-563-7001, mphc.com), one of the city’s most popular indoor walls. According to Bill Baer, MPHC’s climbing-gym director, it’s a misconception that you need superstrong arms. “It’s more about legs,” he says. “If you can do yoga, you can climb.”

Already have some basic experience
Purchase a one-day pass for open climbing at MPHC ($20, equipment rental $8) or at Chelsea Piers Sports Center (Pier 60, 23rd St at the Hudson River; 212-336-6000, chelseapiers.com; $50, equipment rental $10). No gym membership is required at either place.

Ready to hit the great outdoors
Dynamic Outdoors (dynamicoutdoors.com) is running an instructional rope-climbing trip to the Shawangunk Mountains (or the Gunks) in New Paltz, New York, on Saturday 2 for $159. The fee includes instruction for all levels—even complete newbies—plus all equipment, transport, snacks and beer on the way home.