“I want to learn how to climb!” “That’s so great that you climb, I wish I could too.” “I want to come climbing with you sometime.”
All of these are things I’ve heard when talking about climbing. Climbing is picking up popularity these days. More and more people are wanting to get into this sport combining the monkey bars of childhood with the strengthening you long for as an adult. If you have found yourself saying similar things as the above statements and are confused on how to navigate the world of rocks and ropes, then never fear. Here are a few tips to how you, too, can become the climber you want to be:
1.Go to the gym
The gym is a great, low commitment (unless you sign up for the year long membership right off the get go) way to get introduced to climbing. The workers there will give you an orientation (some gyms even offer classes/lessons). Then they set you free to wander and climb until your forearms are screaming and your toes feel like they are going to fall off. This option is even better if you join with a friend also wanting to get into climbing.
2. Ask a friend
You know that friend who always has a cool pic on Instagram of them hanging off a wall or tackling another mountain? Yeah, they’re going to be a great resource for you as a newbie. Ask them (nicely of course) if they’d be willing to take you out and show you the ropes (literally). If they agree that’s awesome! Make sure you follow up with them and ask when they are going out.
OWA Client, Blake, reaches the top of his first multi pitch with OWA guide Lydia belaying him up.
3. Hire a guide
I know, I know, how convenient that a climbing guide is telling you to hire a climbing guide. But I promise this can be one of the best ways to learn quickly the ins and outs of climbing. You can hire a one on one guide or get a group of friends together and make an afternoon of it. You’ll feel more confident and ready to hit the rock on your own. (Need a good guide suggestion? We have a few suggestions here).
4. Meet Ups
A lot of places these days have meet up groups. These meet up groups include climbers from new to experienced showing up to get out and climb at their local crags. It’s a great way to get outside, learn how to climb, and meet people in your community! Who knows, you may meet your next belaytionship at your local crag.
5. YouTube
Not the best option, but let’s be honest you can learn a lot from watching YouTube videos. I say combine this option with one of the above options and your knowledge will be rock solid (no pun intended)
There are a lot of ways to get out and start your climbing career. So no more wasting time sitting there and longingly looking at the gear and guide books at REI. Start getting out there. You say, “climbing?” I say “Climb on!”
Written By: Lydia Huelskamp