Agree with the other reply, my perspective from a decade of rock climbing in the US is that this is almost if not totally inverted from the truth.
Rock climbing started with quite modest pioneers and was quickly joined by a lot of impoverished people. Their stories are easily found.
Even now with an industry spawned and high dollar protective and performance equipment available, the barrier to entry is very accessible, even more so if you live near outdoor areas that don't require an admittedly increasing gym membership.
Rock climbing started with quite modest pioneers and was quickly joined by a lot of impoverished people. Their stories are easily found.
Even now with an industry spawned and high dollar protective and performance equipment available, the barrier to entry is very accessible, even more so if you live near outdoor areas that don't require an admittedly increasing gym membership.