Climbers are notoriously friendly. Whether in a climbing gym or below a 5.11 route, climbers are willing to belay you and convey with you. Justin Johnson proves it day in and day out. As an accomplished climber — as well as hiker and craft beer drinker — Johnson hands out climbing advice and hugs almost daily as a guide and specialist at REI in Tacoma.

Have you ever wondered what climbing is?

Do you enjoy tasty craft beverages?

Johnson will host an REI “Hoppy Hour Adventure” to describe the different types of climbing — from mountaineering to bouldering — will you enjoy craft beer, cider and sandwiches at Peaks and Pints at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21. Join Johnson to learn, leave knowing the types of climbing and lingo, and what gear is necessary to get started.

“There is no right or wrong way to learn how to climb,” Johnson reminds us, “as long as it is done safely.” Whether you’ve been climbing and building anchors since you were a kid or you’ve never even heard the word “belay,” the Pacific Northwest is the spot to get involved in climbing. “There’s a lifetime of climbing in this area,” notes Johnson, “so why not be part of it?”

As they say, “Send it!”

Come down to Peaks and Pints June 21, relax and hang out with one of REI’s inspired guides, Justin Johnson.

HOPPY HOUR ADVENTURE: CLIMBING BASICS, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 21, Peaks and Pints, 3816 N. 26^th St., Basecamp Proctor, Tacoma, no cover, RSVP here