Rockclimbing!!

Mr_Moose said:
What age did you all start? I'm 25 and really don't wanna turn up at a starters course full of wee kids......
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I started climbing at 16/17. One of the guys I did trapeze with introduced me and a few mates to it. Don't recall doing a proper course back then.

I'd suggest getting a mate interested as well if possible, as you need a belayer as well. At my local walls most of the time starter courses are small groups; they generally do a session for just the 2 of you and an instructor. Also consider joining a climbing club, there is bound to be one near you, and they'll generally introduce you to climbin for free, and then you have plenty of people to climb with, and they'll generally coach you on technique, and will probably climb outdoors aswell.
 
Cheers guys, decided to book up on the starter course and just go for it...no harm in at least giving it a try.
My mates aint really that interested but I've been on the forums for the place I'm going and they seem like a good bunch, willing to buddy up if you've not got someone as a belayer and the likes.
 
So Mr Moose did you go?
Just come back from Sheeps Tor again, 3 times since the end of March I think I need to drive else.
Led a severe again so it seems I'm getting my head straight after the fall. The cams are ace but I can see me wanting more, nothing beats that bomber feeling of sticking the old seagul smasher in though.
 
Don't you just hate waiting for the post?
My sub to Climber netted me a free #1 Dragon. They say 28 days to deliver but every day i get home from work I hold my breath to see if I have any post!
Gotta order a bunch of krabs to rack the new gear on now to make it quicker/easier to get. 5 lovely shiny colourful spectre 2s are shouting at me from the web!
 
This thread has given me a kick up the arse and made me remember how much I enjoyed it when I was climbing. It was only indoors, and was about 5 years ago now (:eek:) but I absolutely loved it.

I think I remember that when I finished the beginner course I did I got some sort of "certificate" to say that I could now be trusted on my own - or something. Is that right or am I making this up? If it's right then damn, as I have no idea where that certificate is now :p
 
It was prob one for the wall where you climbed, I have a whole bunch of membership cards to say I can lead, top rope and belay others but nothing "official".
 
Yea I think I have at least 5 different membership cards from various walls in my wallet.
You can just get a new one :P

Did my first completely clean proper 6b today (we don't count Surrey Uni as proper grades, considering I flashed a 6b lead), last climb of the day too!

Weekend I was at Portland, did Consommé as my last climb there too :D
Lead, with a lot of rests :P

Can't wait to be committee of the Portsmouth uni club next year! Need moaarrrrr climbing!!!
 
I was thinking of picking up a new hobby after my exams and am considering this seen as a few of my mates are into it, but I didn't want to ask them questions and look like a compete noob.

so anyway, if I go for a sort of induction day to learn etc, do they usually provide basic climbing shoes etc for you to try on and is it best just to turn up ready in shorts and t-shirt etc? And what sort of level of fitness will I need?
 
The fitter the better, but you can totally take it at your own pace :)
If you're finding it tough just take longer rests between climbs!

Where abouts in essex are you?
Have a look here:
http://www.ukclimbing.com/listings/?t=wall
Find a climbing wall (if you say where you are we could probably advise one), ring them up, book a beginner lesson :)
Climbing shoes are usually available to hire, and are advised, they make it so much easier!
Shorts/tshirt is fine too.

Ask your mates, honestly!
I love talking about climbing, and love teaching new people too, is great fun, sure they wont bite!
 
I'm in west Essex/East London in the Woodford/Chigwell area.

I'm fairly fit, I can do on 4 mile runs and can do pull ups etc but I guess doing something like climbing should help get me fitter anyway.

My mates do actually talk about it a fair amount between them and have told me to come along a couple of times. But where they started like a year ago and I've been bogged down with my course I'd like to get ahead on my own a bit first then perhaps start going with them so they don't feel held back having to give me pointers and stuff all the time.
 
Teaching and explaining why you do something I find helps to get things clear in my head.
Only time I feel "held" back is if they can't belay a lead but that is easy to teach.
We swap to routes for each person's standard.
 
Oh god, I should not read climbing books. I really really want to do a big wall route.
I know its well, well above me having done only a few multi pitch routes but I can dream.
 
The Dewerstone was very busy yesterday, only two routes in the whole afternoon. But did a fair bit of teaching building belays to my second, he's got the principle and now needs to practise, then its multi pitch time.
 
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