MOUNTAINEERING and rock climbing has always held a certain fascination for adventurous types, who live for the thrill of conquering these massive natural features and 'becoming one with the rock'.

For most of us such serious adventuring is prohibitively expensive or just too dangerous to consider. However, indoor climbing offers the thrill and challenge of climbing, with the advantage of being drier and safer.

Deterred by high insurance premiums and varying levels of interest, local leisure centres have stopped offering indoor climbing courses. Four Gwent leisure centres once offered such courses but now their climbing walls are out of commission.

But at the Welsh International Climbing Centre in Treharris, Mid Glamorgan, the sport is thriving, thanks to dedicated instructors, top-of-the-range facilities and courses to suit all ages and abilities.

Climbing instructor Tracy Powell has worked at the centre for three years. She said: "Climbing is extremely popular. We offer the thrill and the danger element but in a safe, supervised environment.

"People enjoy taking part in something that's a bit different to your usual sports. It can be an individual or group sport and of course it's an all year round thing."

To use the centre's facilities you have to register. Experienced climbers will be assessed on ability and competence by trained staff before they can register.

For complete beginners the best option is the adult open course, at £15 per person per session. Here you are taught the basics of climbing on the 200 sq m climbing wall in four two-hour sessions before registering.

Alternatively, confident novices can take an intensive two-session training course for £48 which builds up the skills a lot quicker.

The centre has a number of other exciting facilities, including a 150m caving system, featuring a 14ft waterfall, stream squeezes and crawl spaces.

There is also a 53ft high rope assault course, featuring log bridges, a Burma bridge and cargo net.

Various courses are on offer including children and parent sessions, survival courses and instructor courses.

The centre also organises climbing weekends for stag groups and parties.

For more information call 01443 710749, or visit www.indoorclimbingwalls.co.uk.

And remember, if anyone asks: "Why are you climbing a wall?" just reply: "Because it's there..."