Any climbers here?

thepeganator · 19 Oct 2010 at 14:02

Just wondering if many people in here participate in the awesomeness that is climbing?

Started myself a couple of months ago, mainly bouldering, but just back from a weekend away in the Peak District with the uni club free climbing, awesome time, first go out on the proper rock (got some bouldering in too which was good).

Based down in the south, is anyone else down here climbing? And where do you go?

Seems to be not many places down here, especially when I go back home to Salisbury, looks like there's nowhere to go and no one climbing!

Russinating · 19 Oct 2010 at 14:45

I need to start bouldering again, just getting the time and the inclination. There's a couple in Bristol, one a sole bouldering place.

platypus · 19 Oct 2010 at 14:57

Not done it since I moved back to Cambridge sadly as facilities are dreadful. Still, off to Thailand at Christmas and will be partaking of a lot of climbing at Koh Phiphi.

Badgi · 19 Oct 2010 at 19:41

There are plenty of places in around Avon, which is only about an hour or two away from you?

D1ngd0ng · 19 Oct 2010 at 22:48

Started bouldering about 3 months ago and whilst not quite at the prolific stage I try to climb (in doors) at least twice a week. Just about conquered V2 routes now and trying some of the V3/V4

thepeganator · 19 Oct 2010 at 23:51

Good to know I'm not the only one on here!

Just got back from another uni bouldering evening, surprising how much climbing outdoors makes indoor climbing easier!

@Badgi, where exactly do you mean?

Does anyone have any recommendations on the ideal amount to climb?
I do twice a week with the club, and try to go at least once on my own, but struggle climbing two days in a row due to my arms just not working!

rainbow6six · 20 Oct 2010 at 08:13

I've been climbing for a year or so, but only indoors so far. Managed to get up to one 6b route, and now averge nicely between 5+ and 6a's...... I just have to go more regularly because my endurance on my grip is appaulling!

EDIT : forgot to mention that I haven't done the "awesomeness" of bouldering yet!

Grimbough · 20 Oct 2010 at 09:13

platypus said:
Not done it since I moved back to Cambridge sadly as facilities are dreadful. Still, off to Thailand at Christmas and will be partaking of a lot of climbing at Koh Phiphi.

Have you seen that the Kelsey Kerridge are doing some renovations and expanding the wall? I'm sure it'll still be terrible compared to most cities, but it's got to be an improvement over what's currently there. Some more details here:

http://www.kelseykerridge.co.uk/downloadlibrary/New%20Climbing%20Facility.pdf

Badgi · 20 Oct 2010 at 11:02

thepeganator said:
@Badgi, where exactly do you mean?

There are a couple of quarrys around the Portishead area, also Avon Gorge suspension bridge, a fair few of the top well known climbers trained themselves there.

I would suggest that you get the Avon & Cheddar climbers guide, plenty of routes in there.

platypus · 20 Oct 2010 at 11:39

Grimbough said:
Have you seen that the Kelsey Kerridge are doing some renovations and expanding the wall? I'm sure it'll still be terrible compared to most cities, but it's got to be an improvement over what's currently there. Some more details here:

http://www.kelseykerridge.co.uk/downloadlibrary/New%20Climbing%20Facility.pdf

Aye but renovating a dreadful wall to a crap wall still won't improve Cambridge's climbing facilities

.

Badgi · 20 Oct 2010 at 11:46

platypus said:
Aye but renovating a dreadful wall to a crap wall still won't improve Cambridge's climbing facilities .

I've never seen the attraction with indoor climbing centres, I've never got on with, nor do I like, artificial climbing walls.

I prefer being outdoors, but then, I'm not big into climbing, I much prefer scrambling and maybe a bit of bouldering, even if I am pretty poor at bouldering.

D1ngd0ng · 21 Oct 2010 at 15:07

I've never seen the attraction with indoor climbing centres

You don't have to worry about the weather
The routes are changed on a regular basis so always fresh challenges
Good place to watch/imitate/laugh at others technique

MikeTimbers · 21 Oct 2010 at 22:08

Climbing at Tunbridge Wells, Kent

proxy10 · 25 Oct 2010 at 06:36

i am interested in it..but i have never tried....

fire_munki · 25 Oct 2010 at 12:30

I'd love to get outside, but I can't find anyone to go with which sucks. Did a 6a+ indoor last week which made me very happy.

thepeganator · 26 Oct 2010 at 00:53

Just been to Llangorse rope centre in Wales today, god it's fun

Took the girlfriend for her first taste at climbing, had her belaying and a member within an hour!
Lifted her a few feet off the ground on some falls which was interesting!

Highly recommend anyone to give this a go, go for it proxy!

Where are you based fire_munki?

fire_munki · 26 Oct 2010 at 08:44

I'm based in Plym, so only 30mins from Dart and some good climbs but have not rope or metal work for trad.

DanH84 · 26 Oct 2010 at 09:12

How do you get into this? I'm in the midlands so guess there's places about but none of my mates or family have ever done it or gown an interest so I have no idea how to start!

fire_munki · 26 Oct 2010 at 11:12

I just searched on google for local clubs, found one and turned up from there. Can often find people to belay with if I go by myself.
Some walls also do taster session with some instruction.

D1ngd0ng · 26 Oct 2010 at 13:14

DanH84 where abouts in the Midlands are you? I climb in doors in Stoke on Trent at a bouldering centre and head up to Manchester for any indoor belay/top rope work. The Roaches are not far away at all for an out of doors clamber.