Rock climbing - any tips for a noob?

Booner! · 29 Jan 2011 at 12:23

Hi Guys,

My friend is a qualified instructor and is teaching me to rock climb today for the first time. If I am honest, I am still hanging from last night (see what I did there?

), but just wanted tips on what to wear and what to think about whilst doing it?

I heard that it's all about your legs and pre planning a route up the wall? I want to get into bouldering, but to be honest I don't know ANYTHING about climbing except the natural instinct of grabbing stuff

semi-pro waster · 29 Jan 2011 at 12:54

I haven't been climbing for a while now but essentially you want to wear something reasonably flexible/comfortable so whether that's shorts/jogging bottoms and a t-shirt or whatever is up to you - I would say though don't wear anything too loose as it may end up getting caught.

Rock climbing does have a lot to do with your leg power since they're much more powerful and stable than your arms. Ideally you move yourself to positions where you've got a good base for your feet and move from there, don't be afraid of occasionally just resting with your feet in a good position to alleviate the almost inevitable aching in your arms but remember that the longer you're hanging on the more lactic acid will build up. Try to keep three points of contact with the wall at all times and only move the fourth to the new position - be aware this isn't always possible but generally you're talking about more advanced routes where you've got to try dynamic moves for that to be an issue.

You'll definitely ache in places you didn't even know you had the first few times but after a while you get used to it and your finger strength will improve. Planning a route before you do it will help significantly, you can't always stick to your plan and it looks different when you're up there often but at least it gives you something to aim for.

Booner! · 29 Jan 2011 at 13:01

Thanks for the advice, all sounds reasonable to me. I'll try remember the points of contact too. I already ache from last night...should be interesting.

BlackDragon · 29 Jan 2011 at 13:26

I started climbing about 2-3 months ago at the climbing centre that recently opened near me.

It's all about technique. You want to try and make small movements, rather than lunging and stretching for everything as you will wear yourself out. As you have already said, you want to try and use your legs to push yourself up. Planning a route is good, as the more difficult routes in a climbing centre can cause you to get into a bit of a pickle of you have your arms and legs on the wrong points and you can't progress without awkwardly switching them round.

Watch people climb and try and learn from what they do

semi-pro waster · 29 Jan 2011 at 14:16

BlackDragon raises a good point in that you want to try and go climbing with people who are better than you if you can because as with most sports you improve more quickly when you're learning from/competing against someone better.

I forgot to mention before that you should be careful with the harnesses and don't get any particularly sensitive areas trapped although that should be fairly obvious - what might not be so obvious is that you'll still probably suffer from a certain amount of chafing regardless. Try not to go climbing with a partner who is hugely disproportionate in size to you as that can make for an interesting experience or if you do ask the centres instructors to show you how to use a restraining anchor or whatever they call it there - basically a rope to tie you to the bottom of the wall so if the other person falls you don't both end up in the air.

All this is reminding me how much I miss not going fairly regularly, I'm going to have to see if I can find somewhere to go to this year.

Messiah Khan · 29 Jan 2011 at 17:06

semi-pro waster said:
Try not to go climbing with a partner who is hugely disproportionate in size to you as that can make for an interesting experience

Like when I used to go climbing with my dad. He's 6'6" and over 100Kg. I was about 13-15 years old at the time and about 55-60Kg. A few times when belaying him I ended meeting him half way up the wall, lol.

D1ngd0ng · 29 Jan 2011 at 19:53

Looking forward to climbing again myself post injury. As everyone else has said, loose clothing but not baggy as it will just be a distraction. I presume you already have a pair of climbing shoes you can use? They should be tight fitting (pinch tight) and hopefully you will be able to wear them without socks for added sensation. Climbing up and down is supposed to be all about the footwork. your arms are only there to keep you balanced.