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michislett
Jul 28, 2010, 3:20 AM
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A little embarrassing to admit I have no experience with rock climbing at all, however, I am very passionate about traveling, camping, hiking, trying new things and I'd love to get involved in it. It's hard because my friends, on the other hand, could careless about it. Back in my hometown it seemed those who knew how to do it learned from a friend and/or family but I don't know anyone who knows how to do it. I was considering taking classes at an indoor facility but not sure how effective that would be as compared to a real outdoors experience. I've been reading and researching a little as well. I worry that I'm beginning too late for it seems people start at such a young age (not like I'm old, I'm 20). I was just curious as to if anyone has advice on the subject, I'd love to hear it! Thanks! Marina
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blueskypatti
Jul 28, 2010, 3:30 AM
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Hi Marina, OH I so know how you feel. I actually took a class (outdoor) through the Colorado Mountain College Program....don't know where you live, but check out your community colleges. I found a class for $55 (Vail, no less....imagine that??????) It was awesome. Although I was one of the older ones of the group ( who cares) I had a blast. Learned incredible skills and the instructors don't care how many times you take the class. That's one way. The other way was I looked into "guide companies" a little pricey. It does suck though when you don't have a climbing partner. I've been looking for one since December. DO NOT GIVE UP. Check around ask questions, ....any decent sport stores in your area? Plus a climbing gym is awesome.....you learn how to belay and get great instruction. (and meet people) many climbers use the gym to try new problems and work out during rough bouts of weather. Hope this helps.......DO NOT GIVE UP. I was in TN for 3 months and just kept posting on this site and found a great person who met me in on the Cumberland River every weekend to climb with me....me, the newbie...she an excellent climber...........GO FOR IT!!!!! Patti |
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michislett
Jul 28, 2010, 3:39 AM
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That's great to hear! I will definitely have to check into my community colleges (I was considering taking Scuba there as well to get certified haha. Love the outdoors stuff). I have friends that would like maybe consider doing it once in a great while but I definitely would like someone to be a constant with me. Good for you! My little sister is very interested as well, however, she doesn't live here (at least not yet) but her and I would still both be brand new and probably without an instructor would be totally lost! How long did it take you to get the hang of it on your own? And if you don't mind me asking, how old were you when you started? I hear all these stories of 14 year olds already climbing mountains I'm like damn! I'm starting way late haha. Thanks for the reply!
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blueskypatti
Jul 28, 2010, 3:46 AM
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Okay...this means NO EXCUSES....you can do this.....search, ask questions ....DO IT!! ( god, I sound like a Nike ad) I started "climbing" in my 20's in Colorado....free style you might say and bouldering. I took a specific class for "sport climbing" and "trad climbing" when I was 50 ...........I climbed my first tower (Monument Tower in the Colorado Nat'l Monument) just last fall ( I'm 55 now) and I started skydiving when I was 48.........I am now a licensed skydiver and I do consider myself a 'climber" .......it's all in what makes you happy.....stay humble, have fun and GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!! Where do you live....I may be able to help. Patti
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michislett
Jul 28, 2010, 3:51 AM
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I'm new to San Jose, actually my friends mom down here climbed Mt. McKinley but I highly doubt she'd be down anytime in the near future to climb with her daughters friend haha. That's very motivating though, I'm glad I'm not the only one who started in my 20's and I'm going skydiving I believe sometime in the next year [not sure, the boyfriends planning it]. Thanks so much for your time, I really appreciate it!
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kennoyce
Jul 28, 2010, 4:14 AM
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michislett wrote: I'm new to San Jose If you're talking San Sose CA, then you are just a couple of hours from Yosemite, one of the premiere climbing destinations in the world. One thing you could do is just head to Yosemite, stay in camp 4 and I'm sure that you will meet people who would be willing to teach you the basics and get you on the rock. Good luck and if you are ever down south (Riverside area) I'd be happy to let you tag along with the wife and me.
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michislett
Jul 28, 2010, 4:20 AM
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Thanks for the response! I'll have to look it up since I'm new to Cali I'm not all that familiar with the area so i had no idea. It's not to extreme for a newbie is it? Thanks again I greatly appreciate it!
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Lbrombach
Jul 28, 2010, 1:06 PM
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Might try meetup.com and search for rock climbing.. around here (Detroit) we had a couple groups that climb a little but it wasn't enough fo rme so I started a rock-climbing specific group. just 6 weeks old and we have 54 members...there are LOTS of people that want to climb and just need a partner. People start at all sorts of ages, even well into their 50's. You just wanna have fun? Your fine. You wanna be a national sport or bouldering champ? 50 might be a little old to start..maybe. A couple lessons wont hurt , but if you hook up with some people at your local gym you'll get advice. Just climb, have fun, and don't over-do it and get yourself injured.
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kennoyce
Jul 28, 2010, 2:27 PM
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michislett wrote: It's not to extreme for a newbie is it? Yosemite is huge and has so much to climb that you don't need to worry. There is everything from very nice easy beginer stuff all the way to some of the most "extreme" stuff in the world. A few things to note: 1. most climbers are cool and are happy to help out and teach you stuff (even though if you look around this site a bit you'll think that climbers are all jerks who hate noobs). 2. It would certainly be helpful if you at least went to a gym and learned the basics of how to tie in and belay (if you have the cash, buying a harness, shoes, and a belay device is a good idea as well). 3. If you do meet up with someone to climb, ask a little bit about how experienced they are (as a noob yourself you won't know if they are doing things safely or not, so experience is a decent indicator). 4. Ask lots of questions when you're climbing so that you can learn how and why things are done the way they are. 5. Good luck and have fun out there, oh, and YOU'RE GONNA DIE!!!!!!!!!
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dagibbs
Jul 28, 2010, 5:28 PM
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I wish I'd started as young as 20! I started in my late 30s -- but I'm still enjoying it. I've met people to climb with through hanging out at the local gym, and from joining the Alpine Club of Canada (I'm from Canada) which has a local chapter, and does trips. You might try the same -- well you'd want the American Alpine Club, not the Canadian one. I've climbed at a couple of the Planet Granite locations down that way -- they seemed reasonable gyms. I'll be down that way near the end of August, in fact, if you'd like to climb together for an evening.
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michislett
Jul 28, 2010, 7:58 PM
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Lol I'm gonna die? Sounds great and thanks sooo much for all your advice I'm so beyond stoked. I hope I can get started asap [depending on what I can afford at the moment with college and all]! FYI you have a beyond beautiful family! =]
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michislett
Jul 28, 2010, 8:03 PM
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Thank you so much! Definitely gonna check out that site =]
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michislett
Jul 28, 2010, 8:18 PM
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Hopefully I'll have some experience by then! Haha definitely. I definitely plan on joining a local chapter, did want to get somewhat experience first, but a definite must in process. Yeah I'm highly considering taking classes at Planet Granite. Cant wait, thank again!
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kennoyce
Jul 28, 2010, 8:26 PM
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michislett wrote: Lol I'm gonna die? Yeah, just have to throw that out there for liability reasons, I'm sure you understand.
michislett wrote: FYI you have a beyond beautiful family! Hey thanks, Take care and good luck with getting started.
(This post was edited by kennoyce on Jul 28, 2010, 8:35 PM)
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michislett
Jul 28, 2010, 8:46 PM
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Ha for sure, and of course. Thank you so much for your help!
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Mariofercol
Jul 28, 2010, 10:14 PM
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Too old???? No sense. I started when I was 36 after a life crisis. I needed something new, I took an outdoor intro class and I got hook. First, I started climbing with one of the guys I took the classes with, I bought a rope and some gear and we put in practice what they taught us. I also joined an indoor gym and started looking for partners in the gym forum. Eventually, I started meeting more and more climbers. I also kept learning, sport and trad leading and when I was able to lead people started inviting me to climbing trips. Now, I climb 3-4 times a week, mostly outdoors; I climb regularly with 3 people but there most be other 30 that I can call if I'm looking for a partner.
(This post was edited by Mariofercol on Jul 28, 2010, 10:17 PM)
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michislett
Jul 28, 2010, 10:45 PM
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That's awesome. I can't wait to get started. Idk I just ask people and they're like "Oh yeah I climbed my first 'big' mountain when I was 14" I'm like ohhh ha, I've never even done anything yet lol. Well thanks again for your help I'm beginning to look and decide on what classes to take that are closest to my area.
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