We used to boulder as part of playing Army as a kid. But I started roped climbing outside in the summer of 1971 at the Voyager Outward Bound School in MN. The belay test was to have a railroad wheel dropped ten feet on a hip belay. My first climbs were at Humpy Rock at the VOBS Base Camp, at Carlton Peak on the shore of Lake Superior, and at some cliff in Quetico Provincial Park, Canada. I learned to lead at NOLS in the summer of 1974 and started to lead on my own at Seneca Rocks, W.Va. after that. So that would make it 32+ years of climbing enjoyment and still going strong!
"Be responsible for your actions and sensitive to the concerns of other visitors and land managers. ... Your reward is the opportunity to climb in one of the most beautiful areas in this part of the country." John H. Bronaugh
I learned back in the 80's. I never caught the bug, even though I climbed in many beautiful places. I think it's a good thing since I got my degrees and started a family - things I never would have done had I become addicted the first time around. I got away from climbing for many years, and started back 3 years ago this coming February. I don't gym climb.
I should be a much better climber for as long as I've been at it, however I can't seem to maintain momentum with all these injury layoffs..
Last edited by Guest on Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
In 1974 I took a class on climbing and TRed a couple of faces on the Monteagle Mt. near Foster Falls. But I really started in 1991 w/ Crankmas, Porter and the Snyd. as my first mentors in the Red. So going on 13 yrs. This year I climbed more than I ever have, about 55-60 days outside so far.
it will be three years in march that i have climbed outside (i started in a gym two months prior to that), but i have had to take several months off here and there for injuries and work, so i still feel like a real newbie sometimes.
excellent point mia....you are correct. ~ Pigsteak
