Part of rock climbing is the mental puzzle it presents. Some climbers don’t want tips about where to put their hands and feet — they want to figure it out on their own.

This year’s North Face Climb Festival, the first held in New York, delivered on its promise of an adrenaline-bound community.With a 55-foot climbing wall anchored into the pier waters, onlookers ...

REI (Honorable Mention) 412 S. 27th Street; South Side (412) 488-9410 www.rei.com. Located on Pittsburgh's South Side, the REI store offers classes so even the little ones can get into climbing.