Fuck Yeah! Rockclimbers

Not a bother! I love questions!!

I got started climbing about 4 years ago, after going to the wedding of some very good family friends who were climbers in Costa Rica. They’re best man was also a climber and he had just come back from a climbing trip in Venezuela to Tepui’s on Mount Roraima in Venezuela and had some amazing pictures! All the talk about climbing got me hooked and they offered to take me climbing when we got back to Calgary.

They took me to the local climbing gym and introduced me to climbing and taught me how to belay for top rope. In terms of the absolute basics of the sport its quite simple. I would recommend checking out your local gym for an introductory lesson. An hour long class will get you climbing and belaying for top rope. This will also give you pretty much full access to the climbing gym and get you started in the sport.

I was pretty obsessed so I started out climbing 2-3 days a week. I also did a lot of bouldering in the gym (which is climbing short routes without ropes and falling on crash pads). I would say that the easiest top rope routes are easier than bouldering when first getting started. But after you have a few solid days of top rope action under your belt you should be more than ready to tackle the bouldering cave.

You mention lacking upper body strength, but climbing isn’t strictly about upper body strength. Its nothing like doing a pull up at all. Especially with the early on beginner routes its more about getting your feet in a good position and standing up! Climbing shoes help a lot because you are sort of standing on your toes. The upper body strength will come with time!

In short the only way to get started is to get out there and get doing it! Find your local gym and take a class. Most gyms will usually have a free belay night. Once you get your belay cert, you have a great opportunity to meet other climbers and find partners! Climbers will never turn down an offer of a belay! You’ll soon find lots of other people at your skill level. Don’t be afraid to talk to the better climbers, most will be more than willing to talk endlessly about their own climbing obsession and give you pointers. There are lots of great resources to read up on and get you going! I recommend John Longs “How to Rock Climb” or sites like Climbing.com or 8a.nu. If you get going on this now you’ll likely meet lots of people willing to take you outside this summer for some serious adventure! Don’t be afraid of other climbers! We’re an awesome community of people! Come play!

Send me pics when you get out there!!!