First taste of climbing!
Jun. 13th, 2010 01:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cryptolect posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
disobey_gravityFollowing rydra_wong's great post at her journal about how you probably can climb even if you don't think you can (http://rydra-wong.dreamwidth.org/234949.html) I decided to give it a go. I booked an introductory session - just a 30 minute taster. I really wasn't sure what to expect, so I've described it below (in some excruciating detail) in case that's helpful to any of you deciding whether to try it out.
I was lucky to find what is apparently quite a good climbing centre very near to me (well they say it is heh). I rang them and the staff member who booked me in was very friendly and helpful. I said "I'm pretty heavy, will that be a problem?" and she straight away said "oh no, the harnesses fit everybody and the staff member running the session will make sure you are safe". Which was a pretty good response considering some I have got from other sports when I asked the same question*.
This is a community place so it's run mainly by members I think - it isn't all shiny and clinical like the one at my university is. That made it a little bit daunting going in the door because it has that casual vibe where the members all know what they are doing and you don't. However the guy was friendly enough and gave me shoes hat and harness. He said the shoes should be tight but not agonising so I should come back and change them if I was in pain.
The building itself is an old church which has been covered in concrete on the inside and then it looks as though someone has spitballed the entire interior with bits of coloured paper. I looked at the height of it and trembled a bit I must say. Then I saw there was a very small room with walls about 12 foot high and a crash mat, and I thought "Ah, thank goodness, the beginner’s area.” Of course it wasn’t – in fact I think it may be their bouldering room – and we started on the high walls. But it was all OK as I shall relate.
First we put on our harnesses. I had no trouble fitting into mine at all, and nor did the tiny 6 year old who was also in the group. The harnesses fit snugly round thighs, bum, waist and stomach. The instructor offered to help me pull my harness good and tight, an offer I gratefully accepted. Especially once he said it was because “incredibly rarely someone manages to turn themselves upside down and it’s important you don’t fall out of the harness at that point”. Yeah, I’d say so. Cinch me up till I can’t breathe please. But he was punctilious about not laying a hand anywhere near me until he was 100% sure that I was in agreement and expecting it.
I was instructed in the pre-entry material to wear loose clothing, but actually my loose t-shirt and trousers just got in the way and had to be bunched up inside the harness – I’d probably wear more slim fitting top and trousers next time. I think what they meant to say was comfortable, flexible clothing. I am sure I looked a terrible sight especially once I added the ridiculous helmet but there were no mirrors and absolutely no-one was taking an interest in us – I forgot all about it as soon as we got started.
Before the session started, the instructor asked if anyone was scared of heights and made sure we knew we only needed to go as high as we were comfortable going. He instructed us about basic safety – we didn’t learn how to tie knots or anything, just to screw the carabiner (those metal loop things climbers attach to everything) closed and check it. Also they told us to look up before we walked anywhere in case there was someone up on the wall.
We went to the base of a wall which had 3 different coloured pathways of grips and two different heights you could climb to. There was a very long rope running through a pulley up at the top of the wall. One end gets clipped to the climber and is drawn in as she ascends so the rope is always more or less taut. The other end is clipped to the harness of the partner down below who provides the counter weight and also takes up the slack in the rope. The rope has a seat belt style fixing on it so that while you climb it pays out rope but if you fall and the rope starts going fast, it closes, stops the rope paying out and stops you moving.
When I saw that system, I said to the instructor that I was worried if I fell off the wall I would launch my partner into space. He said I shouldn’t worry, that wouldn’t happen, but he also showed me how he could clip my partner onto another wall for extra reassurance. My first climb he did that, the second he didn’t - I didn’t see what went on below when I was coming down but it was perfectly fine anyway, from my point of view. My science knowledge isn’t great, but I think the pulley takes some of the weight? It doesn’t feel as though you are holding a full-grown adult anyway, when it’s time for your partner to come down.
Both my partners went very nearly to the top first time. I must admit I was a bit worried I would get on the first foothold and just hang there and not be able to go any higher. But, really it was like climbing a high set of steps in terms of pushing upwards with my legs – not too hard. The wall was completely vertical and I had no fear of falling backwards initially. I almost immediately discovered that I am one of those people whose instinct is to pull themselves up with their arms. This was the thing which made me nervous – I started panicking that my arms would give way and I’d fall.
So anyway I got half way up and decided that was enough. So the instructor had me lean back away from the wall and dangle on the rope while keeping my feet flat on the wall. From the ground it looked easy when the others did it. But when I had to do it, that felt like an immense leap of faith. I hung onto the rope as I leaned back and that made it easier. Then the instructor started paying out rope and I just walked my way down the wall. The harness was very comfortable throughout and I really forgot I had it on.
After that I felt that I had ‘tested the system’ and had a lot more confidence in the whole thing. So my next go I climbed all the way up to the roof on the easiest holds. Then we moved to a wall with smaller holds which was tilted slightly outwards at the top. I got halfway up there and my arms were just screaming and I needed to stop. I didn’t actually fall, but I leaned out before the instructor was expecting me to, so it amounted to the same thing – and again they caught me on the rope and it was all fine.
The other people in the session were pretty friendly – we cheered for each other when we hit the top, and the instructor shouted helpful tips if the people who chose the harder routes got a bit stuck. It was a mixed session of adults, children, men and women – I think that is the only kind they do. The other climbers in the room, to the extent that I noticed them, seemed to be a pretty equal mix of men and women. The noise level I'd describe as a low hum - the loudest thing was probably me going "Whoo!" and "Whee!" as I leaned off the wall. The instructor was calling up to us but the acoustics of the building seemed to muffle sounds over all.
That’s it I think, other than to say the next day the only part of me that was sore was my arms (which were very sore – I woke up several times in the night with cramped muscles) – I obviously need to learn some technique quick! And that what maybe didn’t come across here is that I had a really good time, the amount of time I spent feeling nervous was really tiny, and I would encourage you to summon up the amount of trust you need to try it. I have some further thoughts but I’ll put those in my own journal. If there's anything I didn't mention, please ask!
ETA: I forgot to say, they asked us to take off all our jewellery. However the couple of us who had rings we can't remove were allowed to continue. Also we had to leave shoes, valuables etc. in closed but unlocked lockers.
----------------------------------------------------------------
* The one that still makes me laugh when I think about it now was the equestrienne who basically went "OMG think of the tiny ponies you horse-crushing bitch!" down the phone at me.
I was lucky to find what is apparently quite a good climbing centre very near to me (well they say it is heh). I rang them and the staff member who booked me in was very friendly and helpful. I said "I'm pretty heavy, will that be a problem?" and she straight away said "oh no, the harnesses fit everybody and the staff member running the session will make sure you are safe". Which was a pretty good response considering some I have got from other sports when I asked the same question*.
This is a community place so it's run mainly by members I think - it isn't all shiny and clinical like the one at my university is. That made it a little bit daunting going in the door because it has that casual vibe where the members all know what they are doing and you don't. However the guy was friendly enough and gave me shoes hat and harness. He said the shoes should be tight but not agonising so I should come back and change them if I was in pain.
The building itself is an old church which has been covered in concrete on the inside and then it looks as though someone has spitballed the entire interior with bits of coloured paper. I looked at the height of it and trembled a bit I must say. Then I saw there was a very small room with walls about 12 foot high and a crash mat, and I thought "Ah, thank goodness, the beginner’s area.” Of course it wasn’t – in fact I think it may be their bouldering room – and we started on the high walls. But it was all OK as I shall relate.
First we put on our harnesses. I had no trouble fitting into mine at all, and nor did the tiny 6 year old who was also in the group. The harnesses fit snugly round thighs, bum, waist and stomach. The instructor offered to help me pull my harness good and tight, an offer I gratefully accepted. Especially once he said it was because “incredibly rarely someone manages to turn themselves upside down and it’s important you don’t fall out of the harness at that point”. Yeah, I’d say so. Cinch me up till I can’t breathe please. But he was punctilious about not laying a hand anywhere near me until he was 100% sure that I was in agreement and expecting it.
I was instructed in the pre-entry material to wear loose clothing, but actually my loose t-shirt and trousers just got in the way and had to be bunched up inside the harness – I’d probably wear more slim fitting top and trousers next time. I think what they meant to say was comfortable, flexible clothing. I am sure I looked a terrible sight especially once I added the ridiculous helmet but there were no mirrors and absolutely no-one was taking an interest in us – I forgot all about it as soon as we got started.
Before the session started, the instructor asked if anyone was scared of heights and made sure we knew we only needed to go as high as we were comfortable going. He instructed us about basic safety – we didn’t learn how to tie knots or anything, just to screw the carabiner (those metal loop things climbers attach to everything) closed and check it. Also they told us to look up before we walked anywhere in case there was someone up on the wall.
We went to the base of a wall which had 3 different coloured pathways of grips and two different heights you could climb to. There was a very long rope running through a pulley up at the top of the wall. One end gets clipped to the climber and is drawn in as she ascends so the rope is always more or less taut. The other end is clipped to the harness of the partner down below who provides the counter weight and also takes up the slack in the rope. The rope has a seat belt style fixing on it so that while you climb it pays out rope but if you fall and the rope starts going fast, it closes, stops the rope paying out and stops you moving.
When I saw that system, I said to the instructor that I was worried if I fell off the wall I would launch my partner into space. He said I shouldn’t worry, that wouldn’t happen, but he also showed me how he could clip my partner onto another wall for extra reassurance. My first climb he did that, the second he didn’t - I didn’t see what went on below when I was coming down but it was perfectly fine anyway, from my point of view. My science knowledge isn’t great, but I think the pulley takes some of the weight? It doesn’t feel as though you are holding a full-grown adult anyway, when it’s time for your partner to come down.
Both my partners went very nearly to the top first time. I must admit I was a bit worried I would get on the first foothold and just hang there and not be able to go any higher. But, really it was like climbing a high set of steps in terms of pushing upwards with my legs – not too hard. The wall was completely vertical and I had no fear of falling backwards initially. I almost immediately discovered that I am one of those people whose instinct is to pull themselves up with their arms. This was the thing which made me nervous – I started panicking that my arms would give way and I’d fall.
So anyway I got half way up and decided that was enough. So the instructor had me lean back away from the wall and dangle on the rope while keeping my feet flat on the wall. From the ground it looked easy when the others did it. But when I had to do it, that felt like an immense leap of faith. I hung onto the rope as I leaned back and that made it easier. Then the instructor started paying out rope and I just walked my way down the wall. The harness was very comfortable throughout and I really forgot I had it on.
After that I felt that I had ‘tested the system’ and had a lot more confidence in the whole thing. So my next go I climbed all the way up to the roof on the easiest holds. Then we moved to a wall with smaller holds which was tilted slightly outwards at the top. I got halfway up there and my arms were just screaming and I needed to stop. I didn’t actually fall, but I leaned out before the instructor was expecting me to, so it amounted to the same thing – and again they caught me on the rope and it was all fine.
The other people in the session were pretty friendly – we cheered for each other when we hit the top, and the instructor shouted helpful tips if the people who chose the harder routes got a bit stuck. It was a mixed session of adults, children, men and women – I think that is the only kind they do. The other climbers in the room, to the extent that I noticed them, seemed to be a pretty equal mix of men and women. The noise level I'd describe as a low hum - the loudest thing was probably me going "Whoo!" and "Whee!" as I leaned off the wall. The instructor was calling up to us but the acoustics of the building seemed to muffle sounds over all.
That’s it I think, other than to say the next day the only part of me that was sore was my arms (which were very sore – I woke up several times in the night with cramped muscles) – I obviously need to learn some technique quick! And that what maybe didn’t come across here is that I had a really good time, the amount of time I spent feeling nervous was really tiny, and I would encourage you to summon up the amount of trust you need to try it. I have some further thoughts but I’ll put those in my own journal. If there's anything I didn't mention, please ask!
ETA: I forgot to say, they asked us to take off all our jewellery. However the couple of us who had rings we can't remove were allowed to continue. Also we had to leave shoes, valuables etc. in closed but unlocked lockers.
----------------------------------------------------------------
* The one that still makes me laugh when I think about it now was the equestrienne who basically went "OMG think of the tiny ponies you horse-crushing bitch!" down the phone at me.
