If you do, expect to pay about $60/day for instruction. Dress as you would for any wintertime outdoors activity - in layers with a polypropylene or another wicking fabric base; good gloves are essential, but on warmer days, good fleece gloves will suffice. In truth, fear of heights isn't a big factor - you're seldom looking down, more often looking up or directly in front of you. With someone properly working belay, there's a high safety factor.

This is not a sport you go at alone  there's too much equipment required, too much danger. Find a qualified guiding service and/or school. In Quebec City, you can reach L'Ascensation at 2350, Avenue du Colisee, Quebec City, G1L 5A1; phone 1-800-ROC-GYMS; website www.rocgyms.com.

Other Organizations You May Want to Check Out Climbing throughout the northeast Climbing Ontario and elsewhere in Canada Backcountry adventures in New England Colorado mountain guides Tower Guides (Colorado, Wyoming)