Date: 2010-10-05 09:15 am (UTC)
juliet: (Default)
From: [personal profile] juliet
I love bridging too, although have never yet really done the back-and-foot thing.

(Having said that, I once had my feet slip on a slightly-too-wide bridge (foot on each wall), and *ouch* that was not nice for my groin! Although it was fine 5 min later & hasn't put me off :) )

Bouldering: you can totally go all by yourself! Solo bouldering is the only climbing I've been doing for the last several months, because it means I can go when I want to & not have to round up anyone else. Another advantage is that 30 min of bouldering feels like the climbing equivalent of about 90 min of top-roped climbing, b/c you can (assuming it's sufficiently not-busy) spend the whole time climbing rather than half of it belaying PLUS the swap-over faffage time. Although you can of course take rests when you want to (be careful not to sit under the wall where someone might fall on you).

I wear glasses. I have never knocked them or had them fall off whilst climbing. I used to worry about banging them into a hold & scratching them, but the only time I've come anywhere close to that was an awkward fall when top-roping (I swung forward as the rope caught me). I can't imagine many situations in which you'd fall on your face, so your glasses should be fine even if you do fall. (I've always fallen backwards; I guess you could fall sideways if you were lunging for a hold or something? Glasses should be fine either way.) If you've been wearing them whilst doing roped climbing, you'll be fine.

Just turn-up-and-go is about it (though I can understand feeling a bit nervous about it!). Look for a nice easy route to start with, or try traversing. (I found easy routes less intimidating, because they're labelled & therefore Obviously I Can Climb That. I do a lot more traversing & other messing around now, but initially it was reassuring to be doing a thing-the-wall-says-you-should.) I don't know what numbering system you're familiar with -- bouldering uses a different number system from roped climbing. The gym I go to uses V grades, and V0 is the most straightforward routes.

Agreed with [personal profile] rydra_wong's advice to try deliberately falling from different heights, and to aim to land evenly and then collapse your legs. I usually land then immediately send myself over backwards. Bouldering gyms have nice soft(ish) mats on the floor to break your fall. I am still nervous about falling and am much more likely to go for a difficult move when close to the floor, but have never actually hurt myself.

My first ever bouldering was when I took lessons at a different place, but the first time I went to my current place, I went in, said to the person at the desk that I wanted to come for a single session, & paid. You'll probably also have to sign something accepting that climbing is dangerous & that you won't sue them if you hurt yourself. I noticed a keyboard behind the desk & asked for a locker key (both gyms I've been to swap your house keys or a credit card for a locker key, then swap back when you leave). Stashed kit into locker, changed into climbing shoes (most places will rent you if you don't already have your own). The place I go to has a back area, so I went through there because I felt a bit nervous climbing near the front desk. Had a look around at the walls, then found a V0 and gave it a go. After which I was into Climbing Brain and it was all fine :)

IME people at climbing gyms are all v friendly if you need help. I've never climbed anything for which I've needed a spotter, but I've occasionally been given helpful advice when struggling on a route!

um... think that's it. Good luck! And asking questions is good :)
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