Help me, I'm new...

Post by **whadam00** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 3:15 am

I did some rapelling when I was younger and want to get into climbing now that I'm only a couple hours from the gorge...
I wanna get started but don't know anybody around. Any advice

Post by **jabbathehut** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 5:05 am

go to climbing gym - learn cool words like beta - make some friends and they will get you climbing outside soon.

Post by **Crankmas** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 4:18 pm

Never, never get married.

Post by **SikMonkey** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 4:26 pm

Get thee to a climbing gym and get thyself some shoes, a harness and a partner (and a chalkbag with LOTS of chalk). This is your first step. The second step will then reveal itself unto you.

Mj

Post by **lordjim_2001** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 4:31 pm

Ditto SikMonkey

Make the hour trip up to Lex and spend some time at the gym here. Ask around and when you meet up with me we can spew gossip from D'ville!

M

Post by **Artsay** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 5:03 pm

You can also go to a guiding service to pay someone to teach you. You can learn a LOT that way. It costs but you'll get your money's worth, especially if you're a beginner. I don't know who's still offering what around here but Granite Arches is very well known and I believe he'll do trips anywhere you want, including the RRG. http://www.granitearches.com/

Post by **captain static** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 5:24 pm

I too would highly recommend professional instruction for the technical aspects (i.e. knots, belaying, anchors, leading, etc.). A climbing lesson on technique would not be a bad investment either. It can save a lot of time on the learning curve and lessen your time as a gumby.

Case in point. I was bouldering at the gym last night & after doing a problem a young lady asked how I liked it. After saying it was pretty good, she replied that she set it and it was her first problem. I asked how long she had been climbing since it had a fairly technical start. She said about a year and that she had copied the start from another problem that had been taken down. I watched as several of her girl friends sent the problem and were commenting on how it was a "girl" problem since it was marked with pink stickers on the tape. The this young dude came up who had the "look" of a climber. the shoes, chalk bag, knit hat, & baggy pants. That dude couldn't get off the ground. What a GUMBY. I could barely contain myself.

Post by **charlie** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 5:25 pm

Crankmas wrote:Never, never get married.

Now that is some great advice.

Post by **whadam00** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 5:35 pm

Okay, so I stay away from the altar rail and in the gym... sounds good to me

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 5:52 pm

Forget all that Gym crap....Go find you a trad daddy and bushwhack. That gym crap is for Pu$$y's!!!