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

[ghost_lingering]

What's the financial commitment like? Do you have to belong to a gym/pay a lot for a beginner's class? Do you have to buy expensive equipment? I'd love to try, but I'm unsure I could afford it.

[rydra_wong]

The cost varies a lot depending on what kind of climbing you go for (bouldering tends to be cheaper since you don't need any equipment beyond shoes and a chalkbag, and a mat if you're going bouldering outdoors), and also whether you're near any good outdoor rocks.

Climbing walls will usually offer a pretty cheap one-off beginners' class or taster session of some kind (and let you rent shoes and chalk), so if you try it and decide it's not for you, you won't have wasted a lot of money.

[cofax7]

Also, depending on where you are, you might have access to university resources (a LOT of colleges have climbing walls now) or public resources (minnaway climbs at a gym owned by the local parks department, IIRC).

And I gave up my "regular" health club membership to join my climbing gym, because it has a full weights room setup, yoga classes, aerobic machines, and even free Crossfit classes (although I'm too wimpy to join those). The only thing it doesn't have is a sauna or jacuzzi (sigh).

[jumpuphigh]

I don't boulder so here is my take on equipment from someone who mainly climbs ropes in the gym:

When starting out, you don't need to buy anything. Harnesses and shoes can be rented at every gym I've ever gone to and they sometimes have chalk bags and chalk as part of the rental package as well.

The nice thing is that you can usually start with buying nothing except gym usage and a beginner class. As you get into it more and more, you will really start to want your own equipment. Gym shoes tend to be really generic to fit as many people as possible and harnesses are the cheapest out there (safe but not so comfortable - actually, darn uncomfortable).

The most expensive item that you will want to buy is shoes. I just checked prices on REI and they currently run between US$75 and $140. I bought my shoes many years ago and they were more expensive than anything you could find in REI at the time. I advise renting shoes, trying friends' shoes, etc. for a while until you are sure what you want because they are a big investment and it can take a while to figure out what works for you. I only have one pair of shoes but that is more about the shape of my feet and trying to find shoes that are happy-making than about cost. Most climbers that I know have multiple pairs for different situations. I took a very long time in finding shoes to purchase. I must have tried on every shoe out there and eventually purchased a brand that no one had ever heard of because I refused to buy shoes that didn't work for my feet. I recommend taking your time and being picky. Good shoes are a dream and bad shoes a nightmare. The right shoe really changes your climbing experience.

A lot of my equipment I bought at a discount. If you go to large events with vendors, the vendors will bring stuff that they are discontinuing in an attempt to clear out stock. I bought my harness for US$30-35 which was a smoking deal. It's a pretty high-end harness and would have cost me around $80 in a store. This was about 5 or 6 years ago. You'll also need a locking carabiner (US$10).

You'll want a chalk bag and chalk but chalk is cheap and chalk bags can again be found on sale places. I think this was probably my first equipment purchase. Well, that and tape for my fingers. :)

That is your initial outlay for equipment when you are ready for equipment.

Harnesses last a long time, shoes less long. You can get shoes resoled which sometimes works great and sometimes doesn't. I replace my carabiners regularly which isn't too expensive (at least once a year - more often if I or someone else has taken a big fall on it). The thing is, you never want to skimp on your equipment. Your safety depends upon it. If you start lead-climbing, you will want your own belay device (US$20). If you start climbing outside regularly, the cost of climbing sky-rockets. Safety equipment is expensive and you need a lot of it and it all has to be replaced regularly.

I don't want to scare you off due to cost. I just want you to have a complete picture. I started climbing when I was pretty poor. I worked at a gym and got free climbing access as one of my comps. I got a discount on classes (which I advise taking). I saved up for all of my equipment once I knew that I was going to want to climb for the rest of my life. I looked for bargains and watched REI-outlet to see when things were discounted. If you are an indoor climber, there aren't many maintenance costs once you've made your initial investment into equipment. Resoling shoes, chalk and new carabiners costs less than US$100 a year.

[rydra_wong]

chalk bags can again be found on sale places

Or even made, if you are craft-minded or have friends who are so inclined -- I've seen various patterns for chalkbags around online.

[ilanarama]

Climbing outside requires only shoes, a harness, a belay device, and a friend with the gear who is willing to set the gear or lead.

Some colleges and rec centers offer "lifelong learning" type classes to the community which might include climbing.