Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25044
1 �::: ::. .i::::: . hour ra dius climb the walls At 55 feet, the Crag is the highest exposed public climbing wall in the country (nine feet ta ller than the Chelsea Piers wall)-and is stopping traffic on Broadway (between 62nd and 63rd streets). Seasoned climber and architect Adam Kushner designed the indoor-outdoor set up-the wall itself is from ESPN's X-Games-which offers passes for , $12-$1 6 and a $9 beginner package of two "rides" up, a harness and shoes. Climbers with their own gear must pass a belay test ($6). Go during the day when all the drones are at work. Call Extra Vertical, 21 2-586-5718. take the plunge Brave the cold waters off Coney Island with the Polar Bear ·Club's New Year's Day Swim. It's the club's only event open to the public. Meet at noon at the end of Sti llwell Avenue. Expect the waves to be a cool 45°F. The Polar Bear Club was founded in 1903 by publisher and health enthusiast Bernard McFadden. Club president Ken Krisses says their motto is "Every day is a good beach day" and claims that members by and large don't get sick all winter long. To join, you have to prove that you like the cold, swimming and the other members. And you have to want to join badly enough to track them down-the club de let ed its phone number from the latest directory. hour radius 3 climb and cross-country ski the shawan gunks Ninety minutes from the city, near New Pa ltz, these foothills of the Catskills are the place where New Yorkers ice climb and cross-cou ntry ski. Minnewaska State Park and Mohank Preserve, a private climbing area, have good climb ing routes and well-maintained Nordic trails. In the summer they're prime hiking and mountain biking spots . Mountain Skills, 91 4-687-9643, offers lessons for all levels of climbers. Rock and Snow, 914-255-1 31 1, sells mountain gear (everything from hiking boots to skis) and the staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. It's where most of the local guides meet their cl ients. 5 h 0 u r radius ice climb the adirondacks Six hours from the city, Keene is the ice and rock climbing hub of the Adirondacks. Adirondack Rock and River Guide Service, 51 8-576-2041 , owned by climber Ed Palen, offers beginner, novice and advanced instruction in ice and rock climbing. Advanced climbs include routes thaJ were put in by Patagonia owner Yvon Chouinard. January 17-1 8 is Rock and River's Mountain Fest, a two-day session of cli nics, including at least one by an internationally known climber.