Associate
Look for climbing centres, plenty of indoors, in London at least.
Rockclimbing!!
- Thread starter cj265
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Soldato
As above, there's a topic about this in Sports.
Personally I've been climbing for about 6 months and I go to The Climbing Academy in Bristol (bouldering only).
Personally I've been climbing for about 6 months and I go to The Climbing Academy in Bristol (bouldering only).
Associate
Ahh... Kelly's Overhang. Interesting lead
Is the last pic Black Hawk Hell Crack?edit: did the guy in the background get up Quietus?
I've been climbing in the Peak for 10 years, I now live almost as close as you can
Love it.To the OP - get to your local wall and get on it. Meet some people and start enjoying it.
As for my own personal climbing CV:
I've climbed in The Peak, Snowdonia, Pembroke, Lakes, Cornwall, Portland, Swanage, Fontainebleau, Sardinia, Thailand and Yosemite.
Lead up to E4 trad & 7a sport outside - but usually stick to HVS/E1 and 6b
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Soldato
I just started in an indoor climbing gym with a taster course for 1 and a half hours. There were only 2 of us; a friend and myself so we did a hell of a lot of climbing. After 55 minutes, I was pretty tired and my arms were gone, although I had no pain or discomfort the next day but my friend did. I managed 2-3 more climbs leaving 5 minutes to recover.
I've got a course to do (showing rope safety, knots, bouldering safety a few other things) and then I'll be able to turn up as and when I please and pay an entry fee.
Current plan is as follows:
* Complete beginners course as tutorials and equipment is included in the price
* Buy a pair of climbing shoes
* Practice indoor bouldering/climbing wall for 5-6 months
* Take up outdoor rock-climbing in time for summer.
Kind regards,
David
I've got a course to do (showing rope safety, knots, bouldering safety a few other things) and then I'll be able to turn up as and when I please and pay an entry fee.
Current plan is as follows:
* Complete beginners course as tutorials and equipment is included in the price
* Buy a pair of climbing shoes
* Practice indoor bouldering/climbing wall for 5-6 months
* Take up outdoor rock-climbing in time for summer.
Kind regards,
David
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Soldato
Paddy where abouts in Derbyshire are you from? I use to Climb at the Wirksworth indoor wallbut never got outside 
Do you know of any good local clubs etc
Do you know of any good local clubs etc
Associate
Hate to spoil the spirit of the thread,*** removed *** Why not just have a nice walk in the countryside without the risk of injury. If it's adrenaline you want, how about skydiving. Hanging on for dear life? Where's the buzz.
Associate
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The same could be said for people who ride DH bikes as opposed to walking about.
On that note, I'm off to Scotland tomorrow, a 15 hour train ride awaits me, and a disturbing looking lack of snow. Although high up it should still be good.
Man of Honour
I've got over 500 jumps skydiving. Love it. It's amazing. However, I find riding my motorbike at breakneck speeds for exciting.
I've done a little bit of rock climbing in the USA, and it's such a good work out, and the views you get are amazing, and furthermore, it is bloody exciting - at one with nature, and you can look back and think, I scaled that by myself. it's a different type of adrenaline, I find absailing down more fun, but at the same time the challenge of the climb is awesome.
I would still prefer to go skiing, or jump out of a balloon or ride my bike, but I can totally understand the thrill of rock climbing. I'd love to get into it - I just don't seem to have the hours in the day for it.
I've done a little bit of rock climbing in the USA, and it's such a good work out, and the views you get are amazing, and furthermore, it is bloody exciting - at one with nature, and you can look back and think, I scaled that by myself. it's a different type of adrenaline, I find absailing down more fun, but at the same time the challenge of the climb is awesome.
I would still prefer to go skiing, or jump out of a balloon or ride my bike, but I can totally understand the thrill of rock climbing. I'd love to get into it - I just don't seem to have the hours in the day for it.
Associate
Really? not sure if serious?
on another note, lead my first 7b+ today. Pleased as punch!
Associate
Based near Chesterfield at the moment. I started climbing at Nottingham Uni when I was there as a student so I was a member of their club. I'm afraid I don't know of any clubs in Derbyshire though - probably a few places advertised at the walls?Paddy where abouts in Derbyshire are you from? I use to Climb at the Wirksworth indoor wall but never got outside
Do you know of any good local clubs etc
I've not been climbing much in the past 6 months due to a serious motorbike accident. I'm still recovering and seeing how much I'll be able to get back into the climbing. Part of that has been going to Wirksworth wall though, hadn't been before and quite enjoy it!
Caporegime
Really? not sure if serious?
on another note, lead my first 7b+ today. Pleased as punch!
That is genuinely one of the most bizarre comments I have read on here over the years. Congrats on the 7b+ by the way, what sort of route was it? I used to do a fair bit of bouldering but being in Norwich I eventually gave up due to frustration.
I am trying to do some routes again now but really need to get a holiday booked in to motivate me.
Associate
Really? not sure if serious?
on another note, lead my first 7b+ today. Pleased as punch!
Had to laugh at that post also...grats on the 7b+ most ive done on leading upto now is a 6a
dont have the balls to be able to do anything higher as think ill go flying and hurt myself. Managed to do a few 6a on bouldering last night with a decent overhang
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Well done on the 7b+.
Just on my way back from Scotland now, another massive train journey but its almost over. Not a great deal of snow, only got a a grade 2 and grade 1 gully done but was fun never the less. When I'm not on a train I'll do a nice write up including pics.
Just on my way back from Scotland now, another massive train journey but its almost over. Not a great deal of snow, only got a a grade 2 and grade 1 gully done but was fun never the less. When I'm not on a train I'll do a nice write up including pics.
Associate
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Quick review and summery of things I've found after my first time in the snow (or what snow there was!)
Plymouth is a very long way from Srathcarron would be a first! It was one heck of a train journey starting at 05:25 and finally getting picked up at the station by Martin Moran at just before 20:00.
First day out out guide (Ken Applegate) found us a grade 2 gulley with snow on Fuar Tholl. Started the day with the hike in and then being instructed on who to move on snow as I've never seen anything other than a small layer on Dartmoor. Once we'd covered moving and self arresting we moved up the mountain (sounds rather cool to say climbing a mountain not a hillside!) to a belay point and tied into the rope.
Moved up 2 pitches to the final 3rd one, this was steeper and subsequently cooler. Just before the cornice was a small ledge bit which took some working out how to gain purchase with crampons/axes. Although I'm sure with a few more climbs under my belt wouldn't have phased me at all.
Then up through a hole in the cornice to a very very windy summit.
Day 2 saw some dry (damp) tooling which is hard than the videos here make it look, I kept trying to smear the crampons. A while later and I was getting the hang of it, got halfway up one route and to the top of a very thuggy short route.
Day 3, we had a massive hike up Sgorr Ruadh to a grade one gulley. Did lots on building snow belays, and all had a slide down to be stopped by a bucket belay. I have to say I was very surprised by the strength those things can take.
Then up the gully, I was roped directly to Ken but in hindsight I was fine, I thought about soloing but well chickened out.
Day 4, walked up Liathac to the highest point and then back down. Had a couple expsed scramble which were interesting to me, coming from Dartmoor I've never seen exposure like that. It was better and worse than I though. Found it bad but was also surprised that with a clear head and a talking to myself I coped well enough.
Day 5, headed out to Ardheslaig for a lesson on stance management with two seconds, using my reverso in guide mode for two seconds at the same time. We then did a v diff in B2 boots. This was odd, I kept struggling with my feet so I think I'll practising on some easy climbs round here ready for next year.
Then off home, another 15 hour train ride and time to think about what I've learnt and whether I want to go back.
Well, I definetely am going back but have decided that I'm loosing the leashes, buying a lot more gloves and new softshell to try and control my temp better.
Also looking at my walking poles I've worn one tip right down and the other from a flat textured tip to a domed nub!
I'd like to say a great big thanks to Ken for guiding us round for a great few days and can recommend him if you're looking for a guide.
Plymouth is a very long way from Srathcarron would be a first! It was one heck of a train journey starting at 05:25 and finally getting picked up at the station by Martin Moran at just before 20:00.
First day out out guide (Ken Applegate) found us a grade 2 gulley with snow on Fuar Tholl. Started the day with the hike in and then being instructed on who to move on snow as I've never seen anything other than a small layer on Dartmoor. Once we'd covered moving and self arresting we moved up the mountain (sounds rather cool to say climbing a mountain not a hillside!) to a belay point and tied into the rope.
Moved up 2 pitches to the final 3rd one, this was steeper and subsequently cooler. Just before the cornice was a small ledge bit which took some working out how to gain purchase with crampons/axes. Although I'm sure with a few more climbs under my belt wouldn't have phased me at all.
Then up through a hole in the cornice to a very very windy summit.
Day 2 saw some dry (damp) tooling which is hard than the videos here make it look, I kept trying to smear the crampons. A while later and I was getting the hang of it, got halfway up one route and to the top of a very thuggy short route.
Day 3, we had a massive hike up Sgorr Ruadh to a grade one gulley. Did lots on building snow belays, and all had a slide down to be stopped by a bucket belay. I have to say I was very surprised by the strength those things can take.
Then up the gully, I was roped directly to Ken but in hindsight I was fine, I thought about soloing but well chickened out.
Day 4, walked up Liathac to the highest point and then back down. Had a couple expsed scramble which were interesting to me, coming from Dartmoor I've never seen exposure like that. It was better and worse than I though. Found it bad but was also surprised that with a clear head and a talking to myself I coped well enough.
Day 5, headed out to Ardheslaig for a lesson on stance management with two seconds, using my reverso in guide mode for two seconds at the same time. We then did a v diff in B2 boots. This was odd, I kept struggling with my feet so I think I'll practising on some easy climbs round here ready for next year.
Then off home, another 15 hour train ride and time to think about what I've learnt and whether I want to go back.
Well, I definetely am going back but have decided that I'm loosing the leashes, buying a lot more gloves and new softshell to try and control my temp better.
Also looking at my walking poles I've worn one tip right down and the other from a flat textured tip to a domed nub!
I'd like to say a great big thanks to Ken for guiding us round for a great few days and can recommend him if you're looking for a guide.
Associate
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Been back all of 4 days and already comping at the bit to get out again!
So I went shopping, got a 30cm DMM shield/revolver sling draw, a set of 1 -8 wild country rocks, and hopefully working on a bargin Rab softshell.
Also got some self amalgamating tape and have added a higher grip to my axes.
Then assuming it stays dry I'm off out on Sat morning for a early climb.
So I went shopping, got a 30cm DMM shield/revolver sling draw, a set of 1 -8 wild country rocks, and hopefully working on a bargin Rab softshell.
Also got some self amalgamating tape and have added a higher grip to my axes.
Then assuming it stays dry I'm off out on Sat morning for a early climb.
Associate
What amazing weather we have been having in Cornwall. This week I have been mostly at John Wayne memorial crag. Lovely.
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I've made it out for one climb, but I bet it gets damp by the next one!
Associate
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- 25 Jun 2005
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Just had my 30th b-day and got given some fig4 indoor axes and a spinner leash so I'm off to the wall later to try them out.
Will add some pics when I get home.
Will add some pics when I get home.