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CaliforniaNoob
May 13, 2010, 6:23 AM
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I am new to rock climbing and I am getting addicted. I am a college student on a budget and have two choices. I can get a climbing gym membership or buy a rope and quickdraws. the nearest climbing gym is 20 minutes away so i have to include gas money. I do live 30 minutes from "Grotto, in the table mountain area. its great place to lead climb and has many problems. But I don't know if im experienced enough to climb them all. what should i do?
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USnavy
May 13, 2010, 9:26 AM
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hmmm... I would wait on buying a rope and draws. Get a harness and basic gear and go climbing (outside) with someone else who already has gear. Start out on top rope and once you get things down switch to lead and ask to use your partners draws and rope. Once you get some experience you will be able to make a better selection on gear as you will have some knowledge on what type of equipment you like. Try as many different draws and ropes as you can to get a feel for what you like.
(This post was edited by USnavy on May 13, 2010, 9:30 AM)
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CaliforniaNoob
May 13, 2010, 10:13 AM
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I forgot to add that I have a harness, shoes, and a chalk bag. I have went climbing with a friend who has gear. I have been top roping outside once, I bouldered a couple times, and been top roping at a climbing gym about 5 times. I never had the chance to use draws and i don't know what kind of rope the gym uses. my friend says that wire quickdraws are better.
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wrbill
May 13, 2010, 10:29 AM
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The type of draws you use makes no difference, just as long as the are for climbing. Get what "YOU LIKE" and what feels good in "YOUR HAND". I bought my own rope after having climbed only 3 times. I did three sport leads on my third time out. The 1st was a easy 5.5, then I think a 5.6 and a 5.8. You are ready to lead when you feel you are ready. Just have someone with you that knows how to lead so they can watch you and make sure you don't back clip, z-clip etc. etc. What you spend your money on it up to you, but if I were you I would get the rope and draws. That way when you go to the crag you have another rope to TR on and can set up two routes and get more climbs in faster.
MY 2 CENT.
Bill
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USnavy
May 13, 2010, 11:59 AM
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CaliforniaNoob wrote: I forgot to add that I have a harness, shoes, and a chalk bag. I have went climbing with a friend who has gear. I have been top roping outside once, I bouldered a couple times, and been top roping at a climbing gym about 5 times. I never had the chance to use draws and i don't know what kind of rope the gym uses. my friend says that wire quickdraws are better.
Anyway if you have only been top roping once you don't need to worry bout draws yet. Just keep climbing with your partners and eventually you will be able to answer this question yourself.
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granite_grrl
May 13, 2010, 1:03 PM
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CaliforniaNoob wrote: I forgot to add that I have a harness, shoes, and a chalk bag. I have went climbing with a friend who has gear. I have been top roping outside once, I bouldered a couple times, and been top roping at a climbing gym about 5 times. I never had the chance to use draws and i don't know what kind of rope the gym uses. my friend says that wire quickdraws are better.
Don't worry about quick draws. Don't worry about leading. Picking up enough webbing, biners and a rope will be expensive enough. Learn the basics, how to build anchors, how to belay, hell, how to move on the rock, and then start worrying about details like getting wiregates or bentgates on your draws.
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shockabuku
May 13, 2010, 2:17 PM
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Can you get to the Grotto regularly, with a partner, and if you buy the gear do you have enough money to make the 30 minute drive, or do you have a regular partner with gear or gas money? If yes, then stay outside. If no, I'd probably get the gym membership. Many people will say derogatory things about the gym but in feet/hour you will probably get more climbing done, you'll most likely meet more people and develop more opportunities, and it's open rain or shine.
And then go outside when you can.
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shimanilami
May 13, 2010, 2:30 PM
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The Grotto and nearby crags (Far Side, Fissures, Gold Wall, White Room, Jailhouse, etc.) comprise a training facility that is far superior to the best gym on earth. And then you've got the Valley and beyond. I would kill to be in your shoes.
Ditch the gym. Buy yourself a rope and draws. Get outside.
And if you're even halfway cool, then you ought to be able to befriend enough car owners that you'll always be able to catch a ride.
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mrtristan
May 13, 2010, 4:45 PM
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Yeah. What everyone else said. Get the rope and draws.
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tslater
May 13, 2010, 6:06 PM
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... and then buy "California Road Trip A Climber's Guide" so you can climb at nearby Burst Rock and other areas on SPH, or 105 other areas in Nor Cal.
Get out there and climb it!
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patmay81
May 13, 2010, 6:58 PM
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there's not much experience required for sport climbing. do you know how to belay? how to clip draws (no back clipping or z clipping)? get outside!
gyms are for occasional rain days, not for regular activity.
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dont.trip
May 13, 2010, 8:07 PM
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I would get basic toprope gear and a bouldering mat. Bouldering will help you build movement skills better...and there are so many areas up and down the 108 that have good bouldering and toproping. Better yet, just get a pad since you need someone else to rope up with anyways...just make sure your partner has the gear.
I bought a mat first because I could do it alone. Anytime I climbed routes, I just depended on my partner for the gear...
I climb in your area all the time. Let me know if you ever need a partner.
(This post was edited by dont.trip on May 13, 2010, 8:07 PM)
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norm1057
May 13, 2010, 8:32 PM
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Stay out of the gym and stay outside!
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CaliforniaNoob
May 13, 2010, 8:46 PM
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Thanks for all the info. I did take a belay class and i am certified now. My friend has that book about all the climbing spots. I have friends that climb regularly. I should climb outside because there are a lot of boulder and top roping spots. And having two ropes is a great idea so i don't slow anyone down.
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CaliforniaNoob
May 14, 2010, 10:35 PM
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BTW I like the fact that most rock climbing women we meet have nice bodies. hahaha
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