RRC Archives

Hey all. I've been climbing at a gym with my friend, and I have only the basic gear (shoes, harness, chalk bag). My friend knows even less than i do about climbing (I tried it about half a dozen times a few years ago, a couple of those at the RRG), so I'm trying to read and watch others as much as possible to learn technique and stuff.

So I guess my question is do you have some advice for newbies? Also, we want to climb outside when the weather warms up consistently, but how the heck do you find experienced climbers to take you out? In the gym, everybody looks like they've been climbing longer than me, but that doesn't mean they know enough not to get me or themselves killed outside. Know what I mean?

ask around as to who other people find is safe or not. get multiple opinions though. never take anyones word as to how "safe" they are. learn what safe belaying is and then observe the crap out of people. i never climb with someone new without having watched them belay myself. also length of time or how "hard" somenone climbs is NO indication of how safe they are. i have seen some dangerous stuff from "Experienced", hard climbers. really its a crap shoot at times but climbing is dangerous. also some folks are kind of dicks when it comes to taking new folks out. they forgot what its like to be the new kid in school. ill be around for the month of march, if im free and you ask nicely ill drag you out. ask anyone i think they'd trust me. maybe not with their kids but with them. good luck.

richelle, you dont go to UK do you? I believe there is a girl that works at the Johnson Center by Richelle. Is this you?

I dont trust anticlimber he hit me in the head with a cabasa once, it hurt

Last time I went climbing with anti he slept with my sister.

Good thing I don't have a sister.

Stewy, that is not me. I don't go to UK or live in Lexington.

Here's another question for you guys. Since I am now obsessed with climbing and have read nearly everything I can find online about it, are there any good books about climbing I should read? I know, nothing substitutes for actually doing it, but I'm trying to pace myself so my body can adapt.

Books to read:

Warrior's way
Training for climbing
Freedom of the hills
Stone crusade
Sherman exposed
The intro section of any good climbing guide book.

You can always hire a guide for a day or two to get you started, and so you will have an idea of what "safe" is. Or just meet up with some of the people here - they are mostly good folks. And, depending on what gym you have been climbing in, you might find someone there who can take you all out.

...and Wes would be glad to show you the ropes too!

Seriously he is a great guy, I wish I could climb with him more often.

You can almost always find quality partners here. Personalities in person do tend to be radically different for some people though.

Cool. Thanks for the list, Wes. Where can I find a guide if I wanted to hire one?