How to get strated trad climbing?

[squeezindlemmon]

And, by the way, Herbalist is right. Seneca Rocks would be the ideal place to learn how to lead trad.

Another piece of advice.... climb with someone who already has a full rack, that way you don't have to buy any and you can save your money for a crashpad in case you change your mind....

[Meadows]

Trad sucks. Start bouldering.

Or, start trad climbing. Now is a great time to climb trad in the red. You can find all kinds of cool things: Snakes, Chiggers, Nettles, Lichen, moss, choss, chewed through rap slings, long, sweaty approches with heavy packs. Well, I think you get the picture. Cool, eh? My sugestion to get the real traddy vibe going would be to bushwack into Muscle Beach (since the road is closed), lead all the routes there in the sun wearing shorts and no shirt. With no gear bigger then a #2 camalot. Then take a really hot shower that night. Feels good. That is what tradding is all about.


Wes

Seriously, this has me motivated to start doing trad. I'm not kidding!!

[lordjim_2001]

Does that mean we're going to have another slew of half nekked climbers running round?

[captain static]

If you can afford it, seek the professional instruction as a first choice. Try Wicked Tribe's outfit: http://www.redriveroutdoors.com/climbing.htm? If you can't afford a guide at least get some instructional books in the How To Rock Climb series or maybee one of John Long's video's, Basic Rock Climbing or the Art of Leading. Then go out with some experienced leaders and follow them. When I teach lead climbing to someone, I always give then a chance to do some mock leading before setting them out for their first lead.

[Gretchen]

How does one strate anything? Get a freakin teacher.

[Wicked Tribe]

I'd be happy to school you in the ways of trad. I just need a reason to get out in the swelter again.

[J-Rock]

Yes, my side of the story is much different.

[J-Rock]

I remember somebody who kept taking long breaks on the hike and complaining that if her parent's ever wanted to see her again then I should call a helicopter. Then she fell asleep while belaying me on the first pitch. Later I even combined pitches to make up some time. Ha, how bout them apples?

[ynot]

You arent a traddie until you have fallen asleep on a big rock. I was dozing on Jeffs pack once while he was sport climbing and he was afraid he would wake me if he got out more draws, now thats a true partner.

[spuzo]

mmmm trad climbing....