Instruction

[captain static]

I am wondering how many people on this bbs have taken professional climbing instruction or hired a guide? I am not talking about belay class at the gym. This would be any instruction outdoors, or any instruction indoors beyond the basic belay class. Personally, my formal climbing began w/an Outward Bound course. Not long after, I took a NOLS Mountain Guide Course. I have also taken seminars in rock rescue and winter mountaineering. More recently I took a private lesson from two nationally known climbers.

[Yasmeen]

Captain Static, how did you like the NOLS course? Did it get you certified to do anything? I'm thinking about taking a semester with NOLS...

Also, I've heard you have to watch it with protein because overload reduces digestibility of calcium... what have you heard about that?

[captain static]

I loved my NOLS Course & would highly recommend any course they give. My brother took a Wilderness Expedition & my wife took an Outdoor Educators course. I am not sure what you get now at the end of a course regarding certification. What I received was a Mountain Guide Certificate. You can also get college credit for taking a NOLS course.

[Guest]

in my early days of climbing in the 80's I never considered taking a class and just learned from friends. When I got back into it last year, the first thing I did was hire a guide to re-learn the safety basics. I have since had several guides. The anchor building and the self-rescue focused days were by far the best. I have never had instruction focused strictly on actual climbing technique, though, and that's where I need the most help now, though I would also like to go more in depth into self rescue.

[ralst4]

On my first trip outside, I hired a guide from New River Mountain Guides. He covered anchor building, a little self rescue, and some basic climbing technique. It was one on one instruction and it was a big help.

ralst4

[lucamaniac]

I was fortunate enough to start climbing at a indoor gym with a few really cool people who were willing to teach me the terminology, how to belay, how to sport climb. Then I found this BBS and met some really cool people here. I've learned how to Trad climb and build anchors from people here. If it wasn't for all those great folks, I probably would have seeked professional instruction. I do plan on taking a NOLS backpacking course, but that has nothing to do with climbing.

[dipsi]

I took Arno Ilgner's Warrior Way Course last spring. I can struggle at a higher level now.

[ynot]

It just makes good sense to take private instruction when you start climbing.I have never regretted the cost, but its a safe bet there would have been regrets without the instruction. If nothing else take a lead class before you start leading.I intend to take a self rescue class next time I see it offered.Something hands on is way better than anything in a book

[Steve]

I was lucky enough to have some friends who knew what they were doing. An old roomate of mine worked at a summer camp with (from what I understand) were some pretty good climbers. Good not just in skill, but safety. Read a few books, climbed with a core group of compotent people, and wha la I 'knew' how to climb.

I'd say it is hard to meet people, say in the gym, who you can really learn from. So many people getting into the game so fast, it doesn't leave room for folks to gain lots of experience. If that makes any sense. Not saying that there aren't any experienced climbers hanging out indoors these days, just a lot of 'newbies' out there.

[merrick]

my high school outdoors club hired guides about once or twice a semester to take us out climbing. all we had to pay for was the yearly membership which wasn't much.