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

[bessemerprocess]

They have bouldering, top-rope and lead walls, so I think that means they have a little bit of everything? I feel like after having to tie bowlines at 100ft under water wearing 5mm gloves, I can tie anything that comes my way with some practice.

I'm actually sort of looking forward to the learning to fall bit. I always liked jumping off things as a kid and I just don't get to do enough of that these days.

All of this sounds like things I can do and I'm really looking forward to it.

A few more questions:

Are there a lot of loud and/or sudden, unexpected noises? And is there a lot of being touched during the learning stage? (I'm okay with both of these things as long as I know up front.)

[rydra_wong]

I can tie anything that comes my way with some practice.

In that case, you're probably well ahead of the game.

Loud noises: people calling instructions to belayers, occasionally thumps as boulderers hit the mats. I'm very noise-sensitive, and for me, it only gets problematic if there's a school party in.

There might be skin contact in passing to get a harness adjusted or demonstrate how to tie a knot. If someone freaks out completely on the bouldering wall and doesn't feel able to get down, an instructor might climb up next to them and offer them a hand. Otherwise, no, I wouldn't expect touching.

(FWIW, it sounds like we have some fairly similar sensory issues, so if I found it tolerable in those respects, you probably will.)

[bessemerprocess]

That sounds completely manageable to me. Thank you so much!