Climbing for beginners: how to start?
These days the easiest way to start climbing is indoors. Modern climbing gyms present a fantastic user-friendly, and inclusive environment. You can hire your shoes, there’s no need to go high up – you can start off with bouldering (when you climb unroped to low heights above crash matts and simply climb back down or jump off). If you wish to try roped climbing you can also do this at some gyms. Climbing for beginners: how to start?
Climbing for beginners. Book an induction course, which will include equipment hire and an instructor who will show you the ropes. If you get the bug and wish to venture outdoors then you can book on a course at an outdoor centre, hire a guide or venture out with some experienced climbers. At this stage you may wish to invest in your first pair of shoes, a chalkbag and a harness, which are the standard items of equipment in a climbers’ ‘starter pack’.
Climbing for beginners : Different types of climbing
Indoor
Climbing is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and gyms are springing up everywhere, mainly in large towns and cities. Do an internet search and you’ll find your nearest one quickly. Some gyms only offer bouldering whereas others offer roped climbing as well. With roped climbing, everyone learns with a ‘top-rope’ – this is where the rope is anchored above the climber, meaning that they can’t fall any distance.
However, more experienced climbers often progress to ‘leading’. This is where the climber must clip their rope into anchor points (known as ‘quickdraws’) as they gain height. The result is that they may fall slightly further. Indoor roped climbing can be regarded as safe-to-try and fun, provided safety protocol is adhered to strictly.
Outdoor
Rock climbing is a truly magnificent activity, which takes place in some of the most beautiful and spectacular natural landscapes on earth, from dramatic mountain faces to deep river gorges, towering sea-cliffs, and expansive boulder fields. A great number of different rock-types are utilized, from granite to limestone and sandstone. Every climbing excursion provides a fascinating lesson in Geography and Geology.
