Getting into Rock Climbing

[JGWI]

So I decided it was time to pick up a new sport and after having spent a couple hours at an indoor wall recently, I came to the conclusion that climbing would be a good choice. I know there are some climbers on here and I just want to know what you did and the resources you utilized to get started.

So far I have bought a book
http://www.amazon.com/How-Rock-Climb-To-Series/dp/0762755342

and have gotten about a 1/4 of the way to it. Also as I previously stated I have spent some time on an indoor wall(about 3 hours).

If it is at all relevant I am moving up to Duluth this fall.

 

[Slush]

That's good for you man! Rock climbing is so much fun, especially bouldering. I've been to an indoor place quite a few times, so sick. It also gets you mad strong. Climbing on actual rock faces would be so cool. I've always wanted to be really big into rock climbing, but I have a really bad fear of literally rock climbing. I have like an anxiety attack every time i'm high up and I have to take some sort of risk or I slip off the wall.

 

[elinde]

You really don't need to do anything except start climbing. Figure out what you want to spend time on (bouldering, top-roping, lead, etc.) and start out in a gym. Find a pair of shoes that work for you (there's a thread on here somewhere that gives a guide on buying climbing shoes) and basically just go for it. It will take time to get good at all, so be patient, but just know that every day you climb you are getting better and stronger. Have fun!

 

[iFlip]

I climb seriously, both rock and ice. I have done an extensive amount of travel as pursuant to climbing, and own a completely ridiculous amount of gear. I think I have something in the order of 100+ cams, 200+ pitons, a portaledge, 30+ ice screws, and basically everything else anyone could imagine that pertains to climbing.

I'm happy to help out with general advice on what to purchase, basic systems, rigging, etc. Climbing (especially ice climbing) is a fairly difficult sport to get into, but is tremendously rewarding once you have broken through and are proficient. The travel opportunities to rarely visited beautiful places are virtually limitless. Whether you're 60 feet up on a sport route or 7 days in to a 10 day ascent of a remote bigwall, climbing is thrilling.

 

[JGWI]

I climb seriously, both rock and ice. I have done an extensive amount of travel as pursuant to climbing, and own a completely ridiculous amount of gear. I think I have something in the order of 100+ cams, 200+ pitons, a portaledge, 30+ ice screws, and basically everything else anyone could imagine that pertains to climbing.

I'm happy to help out with general advice on what to purchase, basic systems, rigging, etc. Climbing (especially ice climbing) is a fairly difficult sport to get into, but is tremendously rewarding once you have broken through and are proficient. The travel opportunities to rarely visited beautiful places are virtually limitless. Whether you're 60 feet up on a sport route or 7 days in to a 10 day ascent of a remote bigwall, climbing is thrilling.

Thanks, Im am in this beginner stage where I honestly don't have an f*&king clue what i'm looking at. But hey, I started skiing like that and 5 years later it pretty much rules my life!

At the moment i'm confined to an indoor wall and some small stuff so I might just invest in some shoes and a chalk bag. I definitely will PM you later on down the road in regards to...well...everything else.

 

[profa_212]

Thanks, Im am in this beginner stage where I honestly don't have an f*&king clue what i'm looking at. But hey, I started skiing like that and 5 years later it pretty much rules my life!

At the moment i'm confined to an indoor wall and some small stuff so I might just invest in some shoes and a chalk bag. I definitely will PM you later on down the road in regards to...well...everything else.

Best bet is to be friend someone at the indoor wall, and have them help you learn. That is the best way to do it.

Rock climbing is hella fun though! Good to see your getting into it! Good fitting shoes, harness chalk bag, and some locking carabiners/webbing are what you need to start.

 

[Dustin.]

You need a harness, shoes, locking carabiner, and belay device as your absolute minimum to get started. Chalk bag, a set of quickdraws, and a rope for later. (Some people tell you to get a chalk bag immediately, but it's not likely you need to chalk up on low grade climbs so you can skip it for a bit if you are tight on cash. That being said they are cheap as shit.) So like $100 if you have pro deals available. About $150-200 without. This assumes you have a friend/guide who can show you the ropes (ha) in the gym or outside. I recommend climbing as much as possible in the gym and getting strong and comfortable with the basic safety stuff and technique. Get outside as soon as possible if you can, it's awesome!

I take a 70 meter rope, 15 draws, and my basic sport climbing kit everywhere I travel and I haven't been unable to find climbing somewhere yet. It's everywhere, and it's a great life sport. If you get comfortable and learn to lead up to about the 5.10/6a range, you can go almost anywhere and find something fun to climb on well into old age. And frankly, if you stick to sport climbing and bouldering it is relatively very very cheap.

 

[Wheaty214]

I didn't look into the book that you're reading, but you just need to start climbing more. Buy a harness, and some shoes and you should be good to go. Buy a carabiner if you want to start belaying people, you'll learn to top rope belay first and then lead belay.

Just climb a lot and get a feel for it. Once you decide that you want to start climbing outdoors, if you ever decide that, get a rope, preferably dry rope, 70m, AND DYNAMIC (DO NOT BUY STATIC ROPE).

Enjoy yourself, climbing is amazing. I just got a new rope, quick draws, and a helmet for outdoor climbing.

 

[profa_212]

I didn't look into the book that you're reading, but you just need to start climbing more. Buy a harness, and some shoes and you should be good to go. Buy a carabiner if you want to start belaying people, you'll learn to top rope belay first and then lead belay.

Just climb a lot and get a feel for it. Once you decide that you want to start climbing outdoors, if you ever decide that, get a rope, preferably dry rope, 70m, AND DYNAMIC (DO NOT BUY STATIC ROPE).

Enjoy yourself, climbing is amazing. I just got a new rope, quick draws, and a helmet for outdoor climbing.

Yeah.

OP...once you get into it more look at steepandcheap.Com....they have great deals on climbing gear. I treat climbing like skiing and never buy anything full price.