How to get into rock climbing?

climb every rock you see

start by going to your local gym! meet some people, its a sport that has an almost mandatory intro in from other climbers.

If you dont have a local gym, find a facebook group from somewhere close by (there almost certainly is one) and reach out to the community. Climbers are generally pretty nice, and you'll find someone to take you out and show you the literal ropes.

Bouldering is the easiest introduction to climbing.

There are 2 paths:
buy a harness, climbing shoes and chalk. Then sign up for an intro to rock climbing course. You will probably meet your climbing buddy there.

get a crash pad, climbing shoes and chalk. Then find 2m boulders to climb. Start sitting down, feet off the ground

Gyms right now are a little weird, but where I am we cap it at like 6 people for an hour. Super intimate, and if none of your buddies climb, this is a prime time to meet new people.

spend 350 on quickdraws about 300 on rope 150 on a harness and 90 on shoes, and head to the CRAGGGG, meet some homies and make some friends, remember to always keep a slackline and granola in the backpack thats a necessity, also if you ever see used rope, make a wise decision and dont buy it especially if its got electrical tape on it

Here are a few ways:
As mentioned, bouldering is the simplest way to get on rock, super low commitment and relatively inexpensive (in comparison to a rope and rack, but 2-300 for a pad still aint cheap).

If you want to get strong and arent dying to get outside, spend some time in a gym and learn the technique and you may make some friends that will take you to the crag.

Take a gym to crag course or hire a guide (guides are more inexpensive if you and a couple friends split the cost) to teach you the technical skills to belay, clean anchors, and rappel.

Read some books, watch some videos, practice skills at home, and when you feel confident go out and test your knowledge on the rock. This can be a bold endeavor to some but if you have a good level of self awareness and you start by pushing yourself mentally or physically (not both simultaneously) you can keep it safe.

Find a mentor; obviously easier said than done but if you know some old climber or meet one at the gym or gear store its likely they would be happy to pass on some knowledge.

Go spend a good chunk of time in a proper climbing area. if you have the time and the stoke, immerse yourself in a climbing community and i guarantee you will learn so much. Climbers are always looking for partners and theres usually areas where people commune to meet others. Hard to say because i dont know where you live but places like Smith rock, squamish, canmore, yosemite, J tree, indian creek and the red river gorge (among many others) all have great scenes where its easy to find partners and its easy to live cheap for long periods of time.

Good luck and rock on dude, climbing fell into my lap as something chill to do when i was not skiing and now its got my heart just as much as skiing.

mat_espoHere are a few ways:
As mentioned, bouldering is the simplest way to get on rock, super low commitment and relatively inexpensive (in comparison to a rope and rack, but 2-300 for a pad still aint cheap).

If you want to get strong and arent dying to get outside, spend some time in a gym and learn the technique and you may make some friends that will take you to the crag.

Take a gym to crag course or hire a guide (guides are more inexpensive if you and a couple friends split the cost) to teach you the technical skills to belay, clean anchors, and rappel.

Read some books, watch some videos, practice skills at home, and when you feel confident go out and test your knowledge on the rock. This can be a bold endeavor to some but if you have a good level of self awareness and you start by pushing yourself mentally or physically (not both simultaneously) you can keep it safe.

Find a mentor; obviously easier said than done but if you know some old climber or meet one at the gym or gear store its likely they would be happy to pass on some knowledge.

Go spend a good chunk of time in a proper climbing area. if you have the time and the stoke, immerse yourself in a climbing community and i guarantee you will learn so much. Climbers are always looking for partners and theres usually areas where people commune to meet others. Hard to say because i dont know where you live but places like Smith rock, squamish, canmore, yosemite, J tree, indian creek and the red river gorge (among many others) all have great scenes where its easy to find partners and its easy to live cheap for long periods of time.

Good luck and rock on dude, climbing fell into my lap as something chill to do when i was not skiing and now its got my heart just as much as skiing.

This is factual and good advice sir!

My ex made me go to my schools bouldering night at the MSU gym, it was a night for beginners to learn the basics and give it a try, I ended up not participating in the activities much and just climbed.


She hasn’t been in the picture for 2 years now but I still Boulder or climb 3ish days a week when I can. I loved it cause much like skateboarding it has a ton of small goals laid out for you to master at your own pace and choosing- and I can do it inside during the winter.

What draws you to climbing? If it is to spend time outdoors in beautiful places while climbing cliffs, then that is one thing. If it's to hang out inside and climb on plastic, that's different. While gyms have opened "climbing" to the masses, it's a very different experience from climbing outside.

If you really want to try rock climbing, and get into rock climbing, consider hiring a guide for a day of outdoor rock climbing. You'll get your feet wet, learn a few things, and see if you really like the sport. If you do, buy the basics (very inexpensive) and take a few classes. As you probably know there are different styles of climbing. You will most likely start out top-roping, where the rope is always above you, and you can access the top of the climb to build your anchor. Then there is sport climbing and trad climbing, with both leading and following. There area few other types of climbing as well (bouldering, aid climbing, ice climbing).

Where are you located? If you're near me I might consider taking you out for a day.

I went to a local rock gym at first would love to keep going but don't have the money to field equipment for so many things.

never had the desire to deal with ropes ect. Myself but bouldering might be a place ti start as it requires no investment other than gas and chalk

Friends from other activities invited me to come out climbing and lent me gear. I really enjoyed it but I usually just spend all the warm season working so I have more time to ski in the winter. Already had mountain biking on the go in the remainder of my time and I don't pick up sports very quickly so I never really got into it.

1. Find rock
2. Climb rock
3.
4. you know are a rock climber

Get into Buildering.

1. it’s super accessible
2. it’s kind of illegal so you get the same thrill when you’re hitting urban rails

Ok I don't want to turn this into a "How to get to Chad's from Alta base" thread but...

Is anyone on here into big walling? I've done quite a bit of bouldering in gyms and have been climbing with friends on smaller features, but what steps do you need to take to prepare for a big wall ascent?

armchair_skierOk I don't want to turn this into a "How to get to Chad's from Alta base" thread but...

Is anyone on here into big walling? I've done quite a bit of bouldering in gyms and have been climbing with friends on smaller features, but what steps do you need to take to prepare for a big wall ascent?

I’ve done a fair amount of walling. The challenges it provides are quite different from normal rock climbing. Rigging is obviously very important. Managing your systems takes effort. I really enjoy the whole process.



To get into walling you need to acquire a whole bunch of new gear. You’ll need your hauling system (micro traxion, swivel, double pulley), your aid ladders, ascenders, daisies, gloves, hooks, tons more carabiners than you ever thought necessary, and various other thing. If you do not already own offset cams, pick up a few sets. Same goes for offset nuts and micro nuts.

Then there’s the haulbag, the poop tube, the portaledge, rivet hangers, a bosuns chair perhaps...and oh so much more.

However, to start on the process you should purchase a pair of ascenders (I’m partial to the newest model of Petzl Ascension ascenders), a set of aid ladders (Yates 6 step) and a set of daisies. I personally like adjustable daisies. Then do some reading and learn to aid climb. And learn to jug (ascend). Learn how to lower-out. Then get FAST at aiding and cleaning, as on a wall those who are slow at aiding bail. Learn how to short-fix.

Once you’ve relatively mastered these basics, do some day-walls. Grave IV stuff so that you can enjoy the experience without the hassle of hauling. Oh, and don’t forget to practice hauling and practice lowering out the pig (haulbag).

It’s very involved, but that’s what makes it fun. Feel free to PM me. I can offer some suggestions on how to practice different skills, what your progression should look like, and offer input on gear purchasing.

iFlipI’ve done a fair amount of walling. The challenges it provides are quite different from normal rock climbing. Rigging is obviously very important. Managing your systems takes effort. I really enjoy the whole process.



To get into walling you need to acquire a whole bunch of new gear. You’ll need your hauling system (micro traxion, swivel, double pulley), your aid ladders, ascenders, daisies, gloves, hooks, tons more carabiners than you ever thought necessary, and various other thing. If you do not already own offset cams, pick up a few sets. Same goes for offset nuts and micro nuts.

Then there’s the haulbag, the poop tube, the portaledge, rivet hangers, a bosuns chair perhaps...and oh so much more.

However, to start on the process you should purchase a pair of ascenders (I’m partial to the newest model of Petzl Ascension ascenders), a set of aid ladders (Yates 6 step) and a set of daisies. I personally like adjustable daisies. Then do some reading and learn to aid climb. And learn to jug (ascend). Learn how to lower-out. Then get FAST at aiding and cleaning, as on a wall those who are slow at aiding bail. Learn how to short-fix.

Once you’ve relatively mastered these basics, do some day-walls. Grave IV stuff so that you can enjoy the experience without the hassle of hauling. Oh, and don’t forget to practice hauling and practice lowering out the pig (haulbag).

It’s very involved, but that’s what makes it fun. Feel free to PM me. I can offer some suggestions on how to practice different skills, what your progression should look like, and offer input on gear purchasing.

Awesome reply! My concerns are just that everything you need you have to haul with you and there’s nothing on the wall; mainly running out of water. Also if something were to go wrong rescue is basically impossible.

But this is something I’m absolutely looking to get into hopefully next summer because I’ll have moved out to UT by then.

What I’ve got from this is having a buddy or finding someone with a lot of the expirence is key and will go a long way. Do any of you live in New Hampshire? I know there’s a fair amount of places that people typically climb. Is going to a gym necessary to getting a base or can you try small features outside. I’m mostly interested in this for being out in nature and not climbing a bunch fake rocks.

_IRRELEVANT_What I’ve got from this is having a buddy or finding someone with a lot of the expirence is key and will go a long way. Do any of you live in New Hampshire? I know there’s a fair amount of places that people typically climb. Is going to a gym necessary to getting a base or can you try small features outside. I’m mostly interested in this for being out in nature and not climbing a bunch fake rocks.

just go bouldering, consequence is low on certain problems, I hate gym climbing too, im with the nature part aswell, maybe just show up to a crag and ask if anyone can show you the "ropes" hahaha, but anyways gym climbing is not NECESSARY at all like you can get a lot of info from peeps at the crag, most are granola munching hippies anyways, stay away from anyone wearing arc'teryx they're rich and usually rude, most people are down to give you tips or show you some new stuff, hope this helped, if you come to alberta to climb hmu ill def come along! I wish you the best of luck finding a good group of climbing homies!

if you know anybody who climbs see if you can go out with them, otherwise get a crashpad and some good shoes and check out the local boulder problems, or hit up a gym

Petition to make this an honorary rock climbing thread?

Also has anybody been on the Evolv Generals? seem like a TC Pro substitute

I think there is a rock climbing game for nintendo switch. Get really good at it and you will know you have what it takes to murder el capitan