Taking a climbing class is time well spent. There are so many things that you need to know before you try your first try to conquer your first mountain or peak.

Taking a class on climbing is the surest, quickest way to ramp up for the real thing. Experienced teachers can help novices learn the basics of protection, safety, technique and assessment.

They'll provide useful information about first aid, health risks (such as AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) and Frostbite), what clothing to wear and many more topics. These are all vitally important for climbers to know and can save your life.

Through a good climbing class students can learn about the basic categories and styles of climbing.

Bouldering is a great way to get started, for example. More difficult than it sounds, a rock face or boulder a few meters high can be a safe way to practice hanging, pro placement, roping techniques and more.

Trad (traditional) climbing is what everyone sees in the movies. Ropes, harnesses, pitons, cams and other gear are used to provide safety as the climber makes his or her way to the top.

But sport climbing is increasingly popular. Using pre-placed bolts and other equipment, climbers can spend more time on the climb and less on the technicalities. Aid climbing takes the idea to its limit, and ice climbing takes it to the extreme.

All these styles are discussed in a good class and many experienced instructors have done most of them. They can provide you with the benefits and drawbacks from their own personal knowledge.

They'll also give you lots of good advice, and a few interesting stories, about locations and routes. Many experienced instructors have climbed the Canadian Rockies. They have been to El Capitan or South Dakota.

They've seen the Alps up close and know what the conditions in Scotland are like. Knowing which are best for beginners can save you time, money and grief.

Before you get there, instructors will make sure you know how to top rope, how to place a cam or nut, and how to belay and rappel. They'll make sure you understand the importance of good foot work and get lots of practice on the climbing wall.

They'll show you the advantages of locking carabiners and the different styles of harness. Then, again, they'll give you plenty of guidance as you practice with them yourself.

If you plan to visit a snow-packed area, or one that's prone to earthquakes, many instructors will be able to give good advice about avalanche risks, what to look for and what to avoid.

Search the Internet for your local area, ask friends and try out a few climbing gyms. Ask about travel guide/climbing schools for a planned vacation.

Sooner or later you'll find a course that fits your needs. The sooner you do, the quicker you can get out to experience the real thing: the pinnacle of adventure, mountain climbing.