For proof that reading can have an impact on kids, one need look no further than climber and boulderer extraordinaire Brian Runnells. Although he enjoyed climbing trees when he was a child, Brian was inspired to start serious climbing after reading John Krakauer's "Into Thin Air" in high school, and he never looked back, er, down. He started climbing rock walls in a gym and from there moved on to outdoor climbing and bouldering (a type of climbing in which the climber only ascends a short way, usually on a natural or artificial boulder, and is undertaken without ropes or gear other than a crash pad). Brian works as a software developer, runs the website climbingnarc.com and travels all over the world in pursuit of the next climb.

Brian believes that climbing is a natural activity almost all humans like to do at some point in their lives, and as he puts it "(Rock climbing) takes that natural innate human joy in climbing things to the next level." While he loves both the physical and mental challenges of climbing, Brian's favorite aspect of the sport is the social component. According to Brian, the climbing world has a very supportive atmosphere, and many climbers are happy to take a new person under their wing and show them the ropes. Brian has also seen places around the world because of climbing that he might never otherwise have gotten to see.

Brian's Favorite Places for Climbing and Bouldering

For climbing, Brian's favorite spots are Yosemite National Park and Red River Gorge. Brian's favorite Bouldering spots are Rocky Mountain National Park, Jones Valley, and Hueco Tanks, outside of El Paso.

Brian's Tips for Beginners to Climbing and Bouldering

The first thing Brian recommends for novices is to find an instructor or more experienced climber to learn from, since there is a bit more to climbing than just lifting yourself up. "It certainly helps to be really strong," he said "but technique is just as important, especially when you are first starting out." Perseverance is also key. Climbing uses muscles that we don't normally use under other circumstances and it can be difficult at first. "Don't be intimidated at first by the idea of heights or feel like you aren't physically capable," Brian advises "through time you will find that climbing is really a quite natural activity that is great for both your mind and your body." People new to the sport might also want to consider starting out in a gym, at least until they get the technique down.

Once people move to outdoor climbing, knowing the weather is a key component. If it is too hot, sweat can make handholds slippery. Rain can have the same effect, and no one wants to be stuck on a rock face in a thunderstorm, for obvious reasons. Brian laughingly admitted that he spends a lot of time on The Weather Channel phone app before a climb.

For bouldering, since you usually are not higher than you can jump down from, climbing shoes and crash pads (pieces of foam to land on) are pretty much all you need.

For sport climbing, a type of climbing where permanent anchors are already embedded in the rock, you will need ropes and quick draws, a harness, and climbing shoes.

For traditional climbing, the safety gear will depend on the type of climb, but in addition to the safety gear for sport climbing, nuts or belay devices are recommended at the very least.

Follow Brian on his twitter @climbingnarc or visit his website climbingnarc.com.