SnowByrd Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 I started to learn to climb in the SW a few years ago doing some bouldering etc and had a really bad fall doing a climb I had no business doing, although I didn't have enough experience at the time to know that. Now that I'm older and wiser and live in the NW, I'd like to start over. I guess my question is, where do I start? What gear should I buy to start out, how do I get exposure (climb), and how do I let go of my fear? I fell 20 feet, broke an ankle, and was suspended 300 feet in the air upside down for about 20 minutes against a rock face cliff. I am determined though so that's got to count for something. I made a promise to a friend of mine that I would go with him one day and I always keep my promises. Any advice or experiences you would like to share with me would be very much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 join the mounties or boealps or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figger_Eight Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 get some climbing shoes and start training at the climbing gyms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pencil_Pusher Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 Keep an eye out for the looking-for-partners forum. Distel did a pretty good job getting into the sport, from what I've read here over the months. So long as you can belay and have the hunger to learn, you should do fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SublimeSalamander Posted June 26, 2004 Share Posted June 26, 2004 I fell 20 feet, broke an ankle, and was suspended 300 feet in the air upside down for about 20 minutes against a rock face cliff. Â Wow, that sounds like a doosy. I second the notion of contacting one of the fine outdoor organizations the NW has to offer. Be it The Mountaineers, Boalps, or the Bushwhackers. Also hang out the rock gyms and use this site to network, ask questions, and share your lessons learned. I for one would like to hear more about that fall and the rescue. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowByrd Posted June 29, 2004 Author Share Posted June 29, 2004 Thanks for all the advice...I've joined a climbing gym and booked a beginners trip with the Cascade Mountain Guides. If we keep having weather like we've been having, the economy will collapse and society will lapse into the dark ages! WOW! Somebody told me that if they don't have to pull you out with a helicopter or it isn't life threatening, then it's minor...if thats the case, that fall was minor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken4ord Posted July 9, 2004 Share Posted July 9, 2004 Hey SnowByrd77, I didn't get to talk to you at PC, and get your story, I guess here it is. Â Well getting over your fear is just going to take time and experience. The more you get out the more comfortable you will be. The gym and here on CC is a good place to start for meeting people to climb with. If you are looking for a real safe environment and want to take it slow, I would second seeking out resources such as the Mountaineers and BoAlps, even though I am not really into the organized things like that personally, but for some it is a great place to start. Both have intro classes that progress slow and safe, but I believe they usually start in the spring. Â If you are not into that and just want to hook up with people, find people that you can trust and only do what you feel comfortable doing. Â As for gear, starting out all you really need is the basics, shoes, harness, belay device, a couple locking carabiners are handy (at least one for your belay device), chalk bag (optional). There is a lot of choice out there just for that stuff. See what other people are using and ask why they prefer some brands over others. Don't worry about the other stuff for now, you'll want to be climbing with experienced people and if they have experience and are out there climbing a bit they will have all the other items used in climbing. That doesn't mean though that if they have all the gear they are experienced. Â Welcome back to climbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowByrd Posted July 9, 2004 Author Share Posted July 9, 2004 I'm very much looking forward to my second first experience Now, I just need to do some house cleaning and find some time in my schedule. I hate waiting for things...slow progress isn't my style....if I'm going to learn to do something, I like to jump in and do it, not wait and go at a slow pace. My mistake the first time was picking people whom I thought I knew and putting my trust in them. Hell, I was only 16 though. I'm older and smarter now I've learned so much already...now, I need to go shopping, finish my second class at the gym, and see who I can drag out to Exit 38 with me in the next few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken4ord Posted July 12, 2004 Share Posted July 12, 2004 Check out the PC thread for this week looks like it will involve some climbing, also check with Icegirl looks like they are doing a womens climbing night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowByrd Posted July 12, 2004 Author Share Posted July 12, 2004 They keep deleting that thread.....but I'm SO there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucK Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005 Here's some good advice if you're just starting out  How to rock climb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
selkirk Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005 I didn't know bouldering was like hiking! Â And where can I get me some of those suction cups that aid climbers use? Those sounds cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005 Would you agree with this quote from the article? "As far as sports go, you can't get much more extreme than rock climbing. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaskadskyjKozak Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005 Would you agree with this quote from the article? "As far as sports go, you can't get much more extreme than rock climbing. " Â BASE jumping is more extreme Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005 Do exactly the opposite of whatever is posted to this thread. Oh wait a sec...don't...er nevermind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005 Would you agree with this quote from the article? "As far as sports go, you can't get much more extreme than rock climbing. " Â I can think of alot of stuff that is more extreme: Â * rock climbing with ice tools (aka mixed climbing) * Aussie 18 foot skiffs * having children * starting your own business * fighting in stupid wars in far-off countries so neighbor can drive SUV and complain about gas prices Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005  I can think of alot of stuff that is more extreme:  * rock climbing with ice tools (aka mixed climbing) extremely silly maybe * Aussie 18 foot skiffs boats are not extreme * having children anything that is done regularly by 14 year old Mormon kids is not extreme * starting your own business nope... * fighting in stupid wars in far-off countries so neighbor can drive SUV and complain about gas prices not exactly a sport, but extreme  what is an extreme sport anyways? one that is very dangerous? in that case cave diving wins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winter Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005 dude the most extreme thing ever is spending a week in vegas climbing at red rocks. Â later suckas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted April 15, 2005 Share Posted April 15, 2005 Would you agree with this quote from the article? "As far as sports go, you can't get much more extreme than rock climbing. " Â I can think of alot of stuff that is more extreme: Â * rock climbing with ice tools (aka mixed climbing) * Aussie 18 foot skiffs * having children * starting your own business * fighting in stupid wars in far-off countries so neighbor can drive SUV and complain about gas prices Do you really think Aussie "aydeen" foot skiffs are more dangerous than rock climbing? Do people get killed doing that? There's no doubt about it, those machines are radical. They are like trying to ride a Brahma Bull. It would like nothing better than to throw you off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Crash Posted April 16, 2005 Share Posted April 16, 2005 Extreme and dangerous are different things, CBS. Â drC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowByrd Posted April 18, 2005 Author Share Posted April 18, 2005 Extreme and dangerous are different things, CBS. drC  Sayeth the MASTER of both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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