| Optimal experience (flow) is an optimum state of mind during an activity. The goal of this study is to understand relationships between ability level, experience use history, and flow among roped climbers and boulderers in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Background information was collected via interviews with National Park Service employees. Climbers were then surveyed in RMNP. Surveys consisted of questions on flow, ability level, experience use history, and demographics. A total of 226 surveys were completed by 117 roped climbers and 109 boulderers. T-tests were used to compare means for both groups of participants. Discriminant analysis was used to examine the relationships between flow dimensions and ability level for two ability groups within each climber group. T-tests showed significant differences between the two climber groups for three factors. Discriminant analysis showed the strongest links between experience use history and ability level. Implications for management were drawn from the results.;Key words: Rock Climbing, Bouldering, Flow, Optimal Experience, Experience Use History, Ability Level... |
