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adairashley
May 8, 2003, 6:05 PM
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Hey guys, im really wanting to get started in bouldering and climbing, BUT i dont even know where to begin....I have absolutly NO experince my oldest brother has done a little but...... Where should i begin guys???? also i live in small town about 2 hours north of atl, i do go there alot you could say im located on the north carolina line.... Please you guys...i need some feedback....
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keinangst
May 8, 2003, 6:08 PM
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Depends on what you want to do... I started by finding a local outfitter that does lessons/trips on weekends, and doing top-rope with a skilled instructor is the safest way to learn.
I try to stay in shape by bouldering between trips, but that's harder and can be less satisfying to a beginner/novice, IMO.
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kixrox
May 8, 2003, 6:17 PM
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Go ask over at Boldering.com
Very educational and informative, and they love nOOb's.
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curt
May 8, 2003, 6:19 PM
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Start at the bottom. Just say "No" to sport climbing.
Curt
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kixrox
May 8, 2003, 6:22 PM
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OK, just kidding, don't go there, they'll eat you up.
Here's a few suggestions:
Browse the Beginners forum on this sight.
Go take a class.
Go buy a book.
Find a rock wall or boulder, reach up, grab a hold, and Pull.
That'll get you started.
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bakedjake
May 8, 2003, 6:22 PM
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In reply to: Go ask over at Boldering.com Very educational and informative, and they love nOOb's. |
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dontfall
May 8, 2003, 6:31 PM
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Do you have any gear? If you want to boulder...buy shoes....chalk/chalk bag...crash pad possibly. Top Rope....Starters Package..gives you everything you need. I started out by learning how to belay. I started climbing with very expierenced people who could tell me what I was doing wrong and correct me so I knew how to do everything correctly. Since your brother and yourself aren't expierenced, look up some local gyms, take some beginner classes like keinangst said.
Staying in shape is a biggie as well. When your not climbing, work out. Ride some trails to build endurance...good for bouldering...Run or even do cardio for like 15 minutes a day. Hope this helps....pm me if you have nemore ???'s
Chris
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bakedjake
May 8, 2003, 6:39 PM
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Me too, I'm just kidding. I was once given some advice from a Gunk's 5.12 climber about starting when I first wanted to get into it. Falling... yep!!! sounds almost too simple. Before you climb anything spend a couple of weeks practising your falling skills. Start with falling on carpeted surfaces from a standing position. The objective is to daily move up to harder surfaces.. this order works well
carpeted floors
linoleum floors
hardwood floors
marble or ceramic tiled floors
and finally concrete
spend the last 3 days of the first week perfecting your concrete skills and then move up the ladder... "falling from hieghts". It's a very easy transition. I started with falling from my desk but anything that elevates you above the floor will work. Be creative.... you could use stools, chairs, stepladders virtually anything.
Once you've perfectted the skill of falling it's now time to start climbing. Public buildings are not only easily accessible but they are cheap. You have several options here... look for big buildings like city hall, the public library or the post office [do not climb on banks, public officials frown on that] as they will offer you a more varied climbing session. Also climbing buildings in high visual areas is another good trick. The attention you gain from all the passers by will force you to hone you're skills as you won't want to dent you're ego in front of others. When you get a crowd.. give them a quality fall and watch the entertained looks on thier faces.
Remember it's all about ego... by a bright colored spandex outfit first thing. I found lime green to be very effective.
Well that's all for now. Have a great time and welcome to the climbing club!!!!
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bakedjake
May 8, 2003, 6:41 PM
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Also.... ask a lot of questions about shoes and chalk... climbers love talking about that $hit.
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kixrox
May 8, 2003, 6:47 PM
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OMG, :shock: perhaps you should seek help at Boldering.com.
Bad advice. Everyone knows not to test falling onto linoleum.
Also, don't forget to anchor in the step ladder.
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bakedjake
May 8, 2003, 6:51 PM
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[quote="kixrox"]OMG, :shock: perhaps you should seek help at Boldering.com.
Bad advice. Everyone knows not to test falling onto linoleum.
Also, don't forget to anchor in the step ladder.[/quote]
Oh my god :shock: Thank you for picking up on that omission kix... jesus I could have gotten him killed.
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bakedjake
May 8, 2003, 7:10 PM
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Seriously Ashley,
We're a bunch of cut ups sometimes but there is a lot of info and really good folks here.
First off welcome to rc.com. Feel free to post as many questions as you wish and look forward to some really positive feedback. Rc.com really helped propel my climbing knowledge.
I started by going to an indoor wall. It put me next to knowledgable climbers who [you're going to be amazed at how open the climbing community is] gave me tons of info like where local bouldering and walls are and technique, etc., etc..
Don't listen to those who say one form of climbing is superior to another. It's all climbing and it's all good. Get in there... get your feet wet and you'll find your direction from experience.
There is also a forum called the "ladies room"
http://www.rockclimbing.com/...5e7fd7dd652a65bcb624
where you may even be able to connect with someone for a live climbing experience.
Who out there knows how she can find a local gym????
PM us anytime for info!!!
welcome :D
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calfcramp
May 8, 2003, 8:38 PM
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What a crazy bunch. :?
I'd say that the first thing you should find is a partner.
Then find yourself an outfitter or a gym. It's summer now so... ah, you live in Atlanta so I guess snow is not an issue.
Get out there and hook up with some climber-types. Hopefully they won't have an attitude and they'll set you up.
It's a lot of fun. I like top roping so far. Bouldering is fun but less forgiving. Forget sport and trad for now, unless you find some really easy routes. Even then I think it would be prudent to do some toprope first. Gotta know how to belay, or finding partners will be tricky... :lol:
Good luck and have a hoot.
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bakedjake
May 8, 2003, 9:07 PM
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bump
Do we have a database of gyms that she can use???
Can anyone make a recommendation for a gym search???
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wideguy
May 8, 2003, 9:42 PM
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Here's a link to the Georgia page or routes here at RC.Com. It lists indoor gyms. Also browse the East coast frum for southern threads.
http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/listState.php?CountryStateID=54
Welcome and have fun, and don't take the chuckleheads seriously. Mostly they're just having fun at your expense.:D
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jono
May 8, 2003, 10:25 PM
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WELCOME!!!!
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maorirock
May 19, 2003, 5:13 PM
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Hi Ashley,
Here's a list of the things I considered when starting out on my climbing adventures.
Q.What Gear Do I Need?
A.Shoes, Harness, Carabiner, Rope, Slings
Q.Where Can I Get Lessons?
Q.Is There A Support Structure For Climbers In My Area?
Q.Where Is My Nearest Rock Climbing Centre And Is It A Quality Centre?
A. Your Local Climbing Wall/Climbing Club have a search on google
Q.How Fit Do I Need To Be?
A.Not very, although you'll get much fitter as you start to climb.
Q.How Expensive Is This Hobby?
To get started harness, shoes and basic training $300.
Hope this helps
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