Mountains often played a big part in the stories of the Bible. Both symbolic as well as literal they are prominent among the settings in the Bible stories.
Climbing, like any other sport, needs to have supplementary work performed outside of actual climbing time. I have come across not just climbers, but people from multiple sports where they think that just doing the activity will be enough. It is not until I have worked with them that they have found their sport easier and they can perform to higher level. Climbing is exactly the same.
More and more people are getting interested in the sport rock climbing. This is maybe because some people would like to conquer their fears in heights or others would like to get fit by doing something adventurous. Rock climbing is also considered to be an x-game because it will take your physical and mental strength to its extreme.