Rock climbing is the original extreme sport． Basically, rock climbing is going from the bottom of a wall to the top and then back down again. The main goal is to have fun while doing so and to preferably not die. Its roots go back at least 200 years to the explorers of the high Alps and Himalayas and probably even 6)further. It’s a dangerous sport that requires experience, skill and a cool head. But if you’re the right type of person to do it, a whole new world of vertical fun will open up.

 　　攀岩是最早的极限运动。基本上，攀岩就是从岩壁底部爬到顶端，然后再爬下来。主要目的就是享受攀爬乐趣，还有最好别摔死。它的起源至少可以追溯到二百年前阿尔卑斯山与喜马拉雅山的高山探险家，甚至可能更早。这是需要经验、技巧跟冷静头脑的危险运动。不过，如果你是适合攀岩的人，一个垂直乐趣的新世界将会从此展开。

1) original (a.) 原来的，最早的 2) basically (adv.) 基本上 3) preferably (adv.) 较好，宁可
4) explorer (n.) 探险家 　　　　5) probably (adv.) 很可能 6) further (adv.) 更进一步
7) require (v.) 要求，需要 　　　8) vertical (a.) 垂直的

The best and safest way to get started is to go to an indoor climbing gym. The “rock” walls at an indoor gym are not really made of rock at all. They are usually tall wooden walls with hard plastic handholds set at various angles. The handholds feel like rock, and allow the climber to have as realistic an experience as possible.

　　最好、最安全的入门方式就是去室内攀岩场。室内攀岩场的「岩壁」并不是真的岩石。通常是高大的木墙，设置各种不同角度的硬质塑料岩点。岩点摸起来很像岩石，攀岩者可以获得最接近真实的体验。

1) indoor (a.) 室内的 2) gym (n.) 体育馆 3) wooden (a.) 木制的
4) plastic (a.) 塑料的 5) handhold (n.) 可以抓的地方。在攀岩的术语中称为「岩点」
6) various (a.) 各式各样的 7) angle (n.) 角度 8) climber (n.) 攀爬者 9) realistic (a.) 真实的

Climbing gyms have many 1)advantages. They are safe because experienced climbers are always around. People can learn from 2)instructors how to belay－to hold a partner’s rope while he or she is climbing. You can also take classes that teach important safety skills. Furthermore, you don’t have to buy lots of expensive 3)equipment. Gyms usually 4)provide ropes and 5)rent shoes, 6)harnesses and belaying 7)devices. And let’s face it: when you can use an indoor gym, there’s no 8)excuse to 9)skip practice on a rainy day.

　　室内攀岩场有许多好处。这里很安全，因为总有经验老到的攀岩者在场。可以跟教练学习如何做确保——就是在伙伴攀岩时拉住他或她的绳索。也可以上课学习重要的安全技巧。此外，你不用购买一堆昂贵装备。攀岩场通常会提供绳索以及出租攀岩鞋、安全带跟确保装置。而且说实话：当你有室内攀岩场可去，下雨天就再也不是取消练习的借口了。
1) advantage (n.) 好处
2) instructor (n.) 教师，教练
3) equipment (n.) 装备，器材
4) provide (v.) 提供
5) rent (v.) 出租，租用
6) harness (n.) 装备，系在身上的绳子
7) device (n.) 装置
8) excuse (n.) 借口
9) skip (v.) 跳过，省去