I am a fairly new/young private pilot with less than 200 hours total time. I am so tired of flying at low altitudes in the 172. I would really like to take it up to it's service ceiling for a nice view but I do not want to fly a great distance in the climb. Is it legal to do a spiral climb to let's say 12,500 feet MSL? I want to see my neighborhood from a really high view but I am not sure if that would be considered reckless operation. Any answers, suggestions or advise?