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climb.on
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Mar 9, 2003, 2:03 PM
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I just returned to climbing in October - climbing 2 or 3 time a week in our local climbing gym. My climbing partner and I have our first outdoor climbing adventure planned for a week from now. I have to admit that while I am very excited I am a bit frightened. Please share with me your thoughts and feelings on the transition.
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kyhangdog
Mar 9, 2003, 3:25 PM
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It will be a bit nerve racking, but it's the next step. Climbing was meant to be outdoors on the rock, just stick to something doable and double check. Then enjoy.
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marks
Mar 9, 2003, 9:04 PM
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just get out there,much better than plastic/wood
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surforclimb
Mar 9, 2003, 9:25 PM
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trust in your belayer and trust in your gear. then just enjoy the different rushes that you will encounter in your first real climbing experience. think of the gym as a 2 month training class. enjoy nature and the rock. and always double check your double check.
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bentsid
Mar 10, 2003, 3:10 AM
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IMHO, being a bit frightened of climbing outdoors is a good thing. It'll make you extra safe and, as the others wrote, to double check everything. The biggest thing to overcome and embrace, for me, was the exposure element that you don't get indoors.
Use your helmets and belay anchors (where appropriate), even if "no one else does".
Enjoy!
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alpinerockfiend
Mar 10, 2003, 4:40 AM
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Have fun and be safe! I hope it develops into a time-consuming habit for you and your partner.
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jono
Mar 10, 2003, 4:47 AM
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i started outside. its the greatest thing ever. just like everybody said, check ur gear and anchors and be safe and have fun!
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jt512
Mar 10, 2003, 5:43 AM
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You could die.
-Jay
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dangermonkey
Mar 10, 2003, 6:07 AM
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Where are you headed for you climbing trip?
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redpoint73
Mar 10, 2003, 12:57 PM
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You can die in the gym. Hell you can die driving your car. I'm not sure what jt512's point is.
There are definately many hazards to contend with outside, but if you head out with experienced people who can set up anchors or lead climbs for you, you will be fine. I mostly learned how to climb outside (only went to the gym maybe twice before heading out). Some beginners have a bit of trouble trusting the anchor system, but heading out with an experienced person that you trust will help. If possible, it also helps to look at the anchor system yourself to understand how it works. Many beginners seem to be reassured when I sling a big boulder or tree for the anchor system. But if the anchor is stopper and cams, it might scare you more!
In general, many people think climbing outside is "harder", because you have to do some routefinding: figuring out where the holds are and how to use them, where the route goes. Its not as obvious as having big flourescent pieces of plastic with colored tape by them. But you will probably really enjoy being outdoors. You get to see some beautiful places and wonderful rock. Its just fun to hang out with your friends outside and get some climbing in.
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climb.on
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Mar 10, 2003, 1:29 PM
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My partner and I are headed to the Gunks (weather permitting). Should the weather crap out I think that we may go to West Virginia (Red River Gorge? New River Gorge??? Something River Gorge)
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sftony
Mar 10, 2003, 5:22 PM
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Climbing outside is inherently more dangerous than climbing inside – the ground is rock or dirt instead or ground up tire, the ropes are inspected regularly, and a belay partner is required to pass some sort of test. Don’t let this deter you – just make sure you follow safety procedures and perform safety checks. The first time I went outside I was pretty scared. I toproped higher than I have ever gone in a gym, and I also had to rappel back down, which was exhilarating but scary as hell. Just make sure the person or people you go with are more experienced than you, and if you don’t trust them or don’t trust the situation, don’t climb.
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neadamthal
Mar 10, 2003, 5:57 PM
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In reply to: You could die. -Jay
i understand the warning, but that's not a very motivating piece of advice. lighten up! :!:
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mark_e_wallace
Mar 11, 2003, 7:42 AM
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In reply to: In reply to: You could die. -Jay i understand the warning, but that's not a very motivating piece of advice. lighten up! :!:
Depends on your point of view, I guess.
If I were developing an interest in herpetology and someone pointed at the black mamba in the box in front of me and said "you could die", I'd find it VERY motivating.
Maybe one perspective is to treat your indoor>outdoor transition just as one might treat that mamba. Either can be safe and rewarding as long as you are well-trained and very careful. Otherwise, you could die.
Mark
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koto
Mar 11, 2003, 10:42 AM
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What! You mean I could die climbing great big bloody cliffs? F*ck!!!
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neadamthal
Mar 11, 2003, 12:04 PM
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In reply to: [quote="neadamthal If I were developing an interest in herpetology and someone pointed at the black mamba in the box in front of me and said "you could die", I'd find it VERY motivating. Mark
that would likely motivate a person to be more careful but not necessarily to continue with the interest. depends on the person.
understand the dangers involved and minimize the risk by being religious about safety. but don't be constantly thinking about how 'you could die'...
that would just take the fun out of it... :shock:
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jt512
Mar 13, 2003, 5:11 AM
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In reply to: In reply to: You could die. -Jay i understand the warning, but that's not a very motivating piece of advice. lighten up! :!:
I'm not the one who needs to lighten up.
-Jay
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neadamthal
Mar 13, 2003, 12:07 PM
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jt512 -
considering the morbid, but somewhat applicable, advice i think you are the one who needs to lighten up. or were you just having a spiteful day?! :wink:
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hroldan
Mar 13, 2003, 2:43 PM
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climb.on:
Don't worry, it takes some time for some people, for others is quick, but try it, you are going to love it.
Is all about the rock. It will help to build self confidence and you will see that you can do more than you think.
When you go back to the gym you will be a diferent climber, trust me.
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jt512
Mar 14, 2003, 12:37 AM
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In reply to: jt512 - considering the morbid, but somewhat applicable, advice i think you are the one who needs to lighten up. or were you just having a spiteful day?!
Actually, my comment was facetious and an ineffective (apparently) attempt to point out that the original poster is a bit of a weenie.
-Jay
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grigriese
Mar 14, 2003, 12:40 AM
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In reply to: In reply to: jt512 - considering the morbid, but somewhat applicable, advice i think you are the one who needs to lighten up. or were you just having a spiteful day?! Actually, my comment was facetious and an ineffective (apparently) attempt to point out that the original poster is a bit of a weenie. -Jay
You original post made me laugh, Jay!
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alpinist
Mar 14, 2003, 12:52 AM
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Do your regular routine but start on really easy routes until you get a feel for real rock. If you have any questions about route finding, ask someone.
Better to ask someone and sound like a gumby than to get off route and look like a gumby.
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climbingpride
Mar 15, 2003, 9:02 PM
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My only words of advice are to get ready to experience the full addiction to a $$ and time consuming sport. Not untill i got outside did the addiction set in for me.
You'll never regret a moment of it.
Maybe your family but who cares about them they only hold you back. j/k.
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climb.on
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Mar 16, 2003, 9:41 PM
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I just returned from my first climb. I will admit that I found the experience a bit overwhelming. I was comfortable with the cleaning pro bit and I trust my partner, but what I am finding is that I do not trust myself. My partner is one of the more patient and amazing men that I have ever met. He led a great two pitch route as my first climb. The holds were good and I knew that I was safe, but goodness I did not want to fall. I over gripped everything and did a bit too much high stepping, but I think (?hope) by week's end I will begin feeling more comfortable.
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shortfatoldguy
Mar 16, 2003, 10:06 PM
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It's like sex. The first time is strange and a bit frightening, and you do it very poorly.
But it's so fun, you have to keep doing it. And you get better at it and enjoy it more the better at it you get.
Costs a lot more than sex, though, unless you're actually making babies (which I strongly recommend against) or hiring expensive young "full-service" escorts (which is a lot less expensive than making babies).
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