text: are you a mountain climber? i'm interested in being one. my fitness level isn't that good because i sit on my a$$ all day but i'm willing to work hard. how fit should i be so that i don't die on my first try? do you mean a rock climber? these folks are awfully darn fit.  if you mean mountain hiking, most guidebooks rate trails for level of difficulty. there are easy walks up gently sloping fire roads. then there are steep hands and knees scrambles up steeply sloping narrow ledges with a 600 foot drop on one side.   you might want to talk to the www.rei.com free outdoor advisers about either rock climbing or mountain hiking. rei is a non-for-profit gear retailer that will help you whether or not you are a member, whether or not you buy anything. you can get advice via real-time chat or by phone.