I am thinking about getting into rockclimbing...?

Question

I have done it a couple times, and i am actually really good but how do i get into it? how do i do outdoor climbing? And can i climb alone?

Answer 1

All you need to get into rock climbing is some basic gear and if you are going to do technical rock climbing, a partner. There are some beginners that climb 4th class peaks by themselves, but if your are doing technical rock climbing or even bouldering you will need a partner.

The basics for any climber are rock shoes and a harness. Even if you are climbing indoor - which is a good place to start in the winter - you will need these. Shoes must be fitted in person to fit correctly. If you are going to climb outdoors, they should be tight but comfortable enough to stand in for many hours.

You can learn some techniques from others at an indoor gym and get a lesson on how to belay. You can even meet some other climbers that that need a climbing partner that you can climb with outdoors when the weather turns nicer.

There are outdoor classes or you can learn from a more experienced climber that you trust (or both). I would suggest reading "How to Climb" by John Long this winter and then buy a good local guide book and find some moderate "top rope" climbs to tackle in the spring.

Good Luck

Answer 2

I joined a climbing gym as for much of the year it's too cold to really do any outdoor climbing. At least take some of the basic courses that will teach you the knots and safety techniques. Always take this part seriously. Serious accidents often occur at the end of the day when everyone is tired and impatient and not paying enough attention.

Outdoor climbing is a lot more fun. I like to say outdoor climbing is to indoor as essay questions are to true/false. There is no colored tape to guide you, no plan by a route setter. You just make your own way as best you can.

Yes, you can climb alone. You can free solo, which is without ropes or anything. One slip and you're toast. Or you can self-belay on a top-rope set up. Bloody pain in the rear end. Both are more risky, particularly if you are inexperienced. Climbers tend to be really cool, laid-back people (heck, they don't even mind a dork like me hanging with them). Start up conversations at the bouldering area of the local climbing gym or find some climbers online to go with (check out meetup, yahoo groups, and rockclimbing.com).

Best of luck. Have fun. See you on the rocks.

Answer 3

You should totally get into climbing!

If you don't know anyone who climbs, it is helpful to join a club. Here in Canada we have the Alpine Club of Canada, and where I live, it's inexpensive to join, and they provide gear and outings for rock and ice climbing. Otherwise you could go to a climbing gym and meet people there who climb outdoors.

Otherwise, read a lot about how belays work and how to build anchors, get the gear you need, and go climbing. It would be a good idea to get instruction in the gym for leading. Pick up a copy of the guidebook for your area at a local outdoors store, or even at the public library. Climbing alone is not a good idea, so find a friend that also wants to climb, and they should read up and recieve instruction too. You're looking somewhere between $300-$500 split between 2 people for all your gear to get started. Ask someone who climbs, maybe at the store where you buy your gear or the gym, about the local craigs and what the routes are like, and what kind of gear is required. Can any climbs be top-roped (like you did in the gym), or does someone have to lead? Are the anchors bolted, or do you need to build one yourself. All these things determine the amount of gear and knowledge/experience you will need. If at all possible, find someone to take you out for at least your first time no matter how much you've read.

Have fun, use yer brain!

Answer 4

Start with reading. Bouldering, the sport of scaling any stone face higher that your arms can reach without jumping, gets you started. Buildering, climbing private structures, is a no-
no unless you're sure somebody will throw your bail money.
I started climbing instruction while a member of the National Speleological Society. I got University of California credit in
rock climbing formal instruction. I'm still bouldering outside
when not descending lava and limestone caverns ( alone ).
Suggest reader inquire with The Mountaineers for technique
instruction. My community has a private school for students
interested in International climbing. Check into the NSS.

Answer 5

the stages of soreness you will get from mountaineering shoes will variety counting on the variety of mountaineering shoe. case in point I placed on Evolv - Es Pontas Lace that have an exceedingly extreme toe container (the little bit of the shoe the place your ft are) which easily my ft are very tightly squashed in and that they are uncomfortable, inspite of the undeniable fact that the edging qualifications of the shoes outweigh my soreness. once you're feeling an excellent form of soreness perhaps it fairly is as a results of toe container being too extreme on your foot shape. if it is the case you will possibly be able to desire to objective on a decrease toe container shoe so as that your ft are flat. another concern to contemplate is not any count if your shoes have a symetrical or asymetrical toe. Symetrical toe shoes have the front maximum component of the shoe in line including your middle toe and so some human beings, relatively those with mortons toe, locate those extra mushy that asymetrical shoes. Asymetrical shoes have the front maximum element in line with the huge toe and so those with mortons toe won't be able to many times placed on those shoes devoid of important soreness. What mountaineering shoes are they which you're having the priority with? Oh and don't enable some uncomfortable shoes placed you off mountaineering, its super once you get into it :)

Answer 6

sounds funky fresh!