If a hill is really steep, you might have to zigzag back and forth to climb it. That’s what we see in this photo of the “switchbacks” on the side of Beacon Rock. The 848-foot-tall rock might be the second biggest rock in the world, after the Rock of Gibraltar. There are about 50 switchbacks, so make sure you’ll have enough energy to come back down when you’re done!
Wee ones: If you’ve walked up 5 of the switchbacks, what number comes next?
Little kids: Who’s climbed higher, someone who has walked up 9 switchbacks, or someone who has walked up 14? Bonus: In 1915 Beacon Rock was bought for just $1. If you could buy that whole rock for $1 yourself and you have a $20 bill, how much change do you get back?
Big kids: If each switchback takes you 6 feet higher up the mountain and you want to be at least 40 feet higher from where you are, will climbing 7 of them be enough? Bonus: If each switchback is 100 feet long and you walk all 50 of them, how many feet have you walked?
Answers:
Wee ones: The 6th.
Little kids: The one who walked 14. Bonus: $19.
Big kids: Yes, since they’ll raise you 42 feet. Bonus: 5,000 feet — almost a mile!
