How to Start Climbing?
Hi Steph!
I have recently stumbled upon you in my internet travels, and you have become a huge inspiration to me, as a vegan and a fellow yogi! I have just purchased your books online (sadly the local bookstores didn’t have any copies:( ) and cannot wait to read them!I grew up in very flat Ontario, but moved to Vancouver Island for university last year. I had never seen mountains before I lived on the island, and I immediately fell in love.
I am an avid hiker, but I just really want to climb the mountains that I stare at everyday.So here goes my question…
If I was wanting to start climbing, how would you recommend that I start? I don’t know any climbers and don’t have a lot of money (haha student life) for guided treks or weekend courses, but this is something I am just supposed to do!Thanks for any help!
–EnneHi Steph,
My name is Maddy and I am at university in Sydney and am just starting out climbing. So far I love it. I was just wondering if there are any tips you could give me on getting stronger and improving my technique particularly as I have no background in climbing whatsoever.
You are currently my climbing idol and I hope to one day be able to climb like you.
Thank you so much, Maddy
Hi Enne and Maddy,
Thank you for writing to me! I also started climbing when I was in college. Most colleges have an outdoor club, a climbing group or a mountaineering group. And most colleges have an indoor wall, or are in a city that has at least one climbing gym. When I started climbing, I joined the outdoor club and got a part time job at the local outdoor store. I went to the local climbing walls and climbing area–pretty quickly I started meeting people to climb with. All climbers need people to go climbing with, so it’s not long before you find yourself having regular partners. It’s okay if you don’t know a lot if you’re willing to learn and basically just be a reliable partner–you’re going to learn from other people.
Other people will also teach you a lot about technique if you watch them. When you’re taking a break from climbing or belaying, watch how your friends climb. Often you’ll see them do a move you wouldn’t have thought of, or use holds you didn’t notice or a rest you didn’t see. When you’re just starting out, climbing as much as you can and watching others climb is the best way to start developing your strength and technique.
Enjoy it!
Steph
How exciting!! I personally feel very lucky that one of my classmates invited me to try climbing with her: within 5 minutes of goofing off on the wall I was hooked. My rationale for climbing as a student was that its a much cheaper passtime than drinking and clubbing with my peers (plus, it feels so much better to wake up the next day!).
that’s great!