Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Climbing, But Were Afraid To Ask

[rydra_wong]

This is a post where you can ask all the questions you're always wanted to ask about climbing, whether you've already started or are just beginning to think about maybe possibly kind of giving this a try.

Or maybe you've been climbing for decades, and have always wondered about that one thing, and by now it would be OMG TOO EMBARASSING to admit you don't know.

No topics are off-limit, no questions too clueless, so let rip and get answers from demi-n00bs experienced climbers.

Comments

[harborshore]

So if one is starting to think about this and intends to sign up for a beginner's class for her birthday--is one kind of climbing a good introduction to another, or should I just try to figure out which kind I'll like best?

[rydra_wong]

Assuming you're starting at an indoor wall, your basic choice is likely to be whether you want to take a bouldering-only class or a general introduction class (which may include some bouldering, but will probably focus on roped climbing, because you need to learn how to fasten harnesses, how to belay, etc.).

The basic movement technique is the same, so I'd suggest taking a general class unless you're very sure that you don't want to do anything with ropes (I was, but I'm weird that way): you can always go on to focus on bouldering later if you want. The difference is really about emphasis.

And If you're eying Grand Canyon-type rocks with WANT, then you'll definitely need to learn the roped stuff *g*.

[pellucid]

I'm a bit late on this, but I'll both agree with Rydra and add some other considerations to keep in mind.

First, you might do a bit of research into what the beginner's classes in your area offer. I took a beginner's class at one gym in my city and really didn't learn much: nothing at all about bouldering, not even what lead climbing is, and really not as much about toproping as I should have, considering that I was set loose at the end of the course (which lasted perhaps all of 20 minutes). I later switched gyms to the one I currently climb at, and watching their beginner's classes I realize I would have learned a LOT more if I'd gone there. So if you have multiple gyms to choose from, ask them what they teach. How long are the lessons, what do they involve, etc.? You might as well get the most for your money.

To my mind, an ideal beginner's class involves mostly toprope instruction (ropes and harnesses) with plenty of practice under the eye of the instructor so that you feel comfortable by the time you finish, plus a little time spent at least explaining the basic principles of bouldering (which you'd be qualified to do upon learning to toprope) and lead climbing (which usually involves another class/set of classes, well after you've learned to climb well--but it's nice to at least know how it works).

If you're like Rydra and know you don't want to do roped climbing, don't worry about it--but not all places even bother with a class for bouldering only, since there are fewer safety concerns, so that might also be something you want to ask. There are also bouldering-only gyms, so if you know you want to do roped climbing, don't go to one of those. Of course, depending on your location, you may not have many options, which is also probably fine: once you've learned the safety stuff, the best way to learn to climb is really just to do it.

One thing worth mentioning about roped climbing is that you'll need a partner. Some places will only sign people up for beginner's classes in pairs (or more--groups of three require rotating in and out, but they also work just fine), and even if you have the option of a solo beginner's class, it can really only help to have a partner. So if you don't already have a partner, think about talking a friend into trying it with you. Gyms will usually keep lists of people looking for partners, but if you're just beginning you might as well recruit someone you already know.

Toproping is a good introduction to bouldering but not necessarily vice-versa (the technique is the same, but there are specific rope and harness skills you'll need for toproping). Toproping is a prerequisite to (but not alone an introduction to) lead climbing, which is a more advanced kind of climbing (lead climbing is when you clip the rope in along with you as you climb--many gyms have lead-only routes along the ceilings, for instance). But I would point out that except for bouldering, indoor climbing is not alone an introduction to outdoor climbing. Roped outdoor climbing (both sport and trad, but especially the latter) is a different beast, and even if you're a really good indoor climber there are many new skills to learn going outside--so if you start inside and want to make the transition, make sure you go with people who really know what they're doing outside and/or take a separate outdoor class.

Anyway, that was longwinded and full of stuff that I didn't know AT ALL when I started, so it's not crucial information. But it can't hurt, either, I suppose. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have fun!!!