How can I get started?

If you want to get out on rock rather than the gym:

1) Read and watch everything you can find. There's lots of videos on youtube. Search stuff like "belaying", "rock climbing techniques"... Check out the school of rock link here.

2) Learn knots. Figure 8 follow-through, clove hitch, double fisherman's, bowline...

3) Get a harness, chalk bag, ATC, locking pear biner and some shoes. Don't get cheap crappy shoes, it's a waste of money. Get good shoes.

4) Find some people (try posting here) who are willing to take you along and do some top-roping. While you're out you'll probably meet more people. I almost always end up meeting cool folks at the local crags.

Optimistic nailed. Be wary of climbing with someone for the first time. I have seen some nightmares. Good luck and a course with a guide on how to set up top rope anchors would be ideal. Can't put a price on your life. Learn how to belay and all that jazz at the gym but learning ho to build proper ABSOLUTE must!

learning how to build proper top rope anchors is an ABSOLUTE must!*

Michelle Rodriguez wrote:Hey everyone! As a city dweller... WHERE, HOW and WHEN is the best time and place I could start learning how to rock climb (preferably without putting a hole in my wallet)?? Thank YOU!

Start with shoes. Then look at bouldering in the area, you can do it on your own. Oddly enough there are climbers that boulder for practice and to build skill. Don't be afraid to say Hi.

Next is study, a couple of climbing books, yea, it sucks, but it works. At least you will understand what is SUPPOSED to occur, then you can make your own informed decisions on whether or not someone is safe.

Connections with other people take an effort. Gyms of course, like minds and all, requesting climbing partners on MP works also, but know before you go, kind of like a blind date, know how to keep yourself safe.

Next comes a climbing belt that fits, and a belay device. Black Diamond has starter kits, not a lot of bucks, but not overly comfortable. In time you will upgrade.

Eventually you will meet a decent partner. Do a little studying before you go. It will work out.

In NYC there are great intro courses at the Cliffs at LIC and Brooklyn Boulders for learning about climbing indoors. There is also a smaller group of pretty dedicated climbers who climb at Chelsea Piers every week, with a huge range of levels represented. Getting involved with regulars at any gym is a great way to move into outdoor climbing if that is your goal. PM if you want some more details about the NYC scene!

Also, if you just say something like "Hey I'm in city xxx, anybody want to climb with me", you may get some hits. I met my climbing partner because he made a post like that. He was already experienced, but (for example) I've also climbed with several beginners and I'd be happy to do so again.

The deeper into climbing you get the more $$$ you spend. The cool part is most stuff lasts a reasonably long time. Lots of climbers like to help newcomers...look at all the responses. You might end up falling totally in love with climbing and a year from now it could be a new life style. Good luck!

Your local climbing gym should have gear you can rent or borrow. Plus, they will offer instruction covering the basics, i.e. belaying, movement, knots, etc. I wouldn't buy climbing gear yet...I've witnessed too many 'climbers' spend hundreds of dollars on gear only to be sold on ebay several months later after a fall. Wait until you are sure it's something you want to pursue. Trust me, once you're into it, there will be plenty of opportunity to buy gear.

Take a group lesson where you can meet people. Pay attention and learn as much as you can. Find a crag that allows for top-rope access and climb, climb, climb. You don't need to buy beer for someone to take you climbing.

You guys are all awesome!!
Thank you for all the responses.

I already started reading the book suggested and also youtubing helpful demos.

I'm narrowing down gyms I could go to as well. I am so excited :)

Accept the fact that climbing will put a hole in your wallet, and the hole will never go away. Your initial learning experience should be from a competent professional (look for an AMGA certified instructor, or at least an AMGA accredited school/guide service). After that you can continue learning on your own, if that's your style.

There should be at least one decent guide service in the Shawangunks (New Paltz area?), it's one of the places where climbing got started in this country, and it's still a major rock climbing area.

REI (and possibly a few other outdoor equipment stores) offer introductory classes in rock climbing, as do a lot of climbing gyms.

If you've got the time and money, an introductory class in outdoor climbing will be far more rewarding and worthwhile than an indoor class. An indoor (climbing gym) class will suffice to get you started, though.

My initial instruction was with a Sierra Club rock climbing group; based on that experience I would stay far away from Sierra Club, AMC and other club type organizations.

Get a harness, locking carabiner, belay device, good shoes, helmet, and a 45-50 liter pack. A pack that size will let you carry your share of the gear to and from the crag. Good shoes will help you learn to use your feet better than cheap shoes, and they can be resoled one or two more times than cheap shoes.A cheap harness is just as safe as an expensive one, it's just not as comfortable. Plenty of people started with homemade harnesses, and people still use them for certain applications. You can always sell the stuff on e-bay if this doesn't work out for you.

Notice the overwhelmingly male response to this thread. Get used to this. If you advertise for a climbing partner on this website or any other, you have the option of specifying female climbing partners (or not, depending on your inclinations).

Have fun!

mark felber wrote: There should be at least one decent guide service in the Shawangunks (New Paltz area?), it's one of the places where climbing got started in this country, and it's still a major rock climbing area.

I can definitely provide some local names if you want them (and no, I'm not a guide looking to drum up business!). I'd prefer to do that via messaging if you are interested.

Optimistic wrote: I can definitely provide some local names if you want them (and no, I'm not a guide looking to drum up business!). I'd prefer to do that via messaging if you are interested.

I will! Andrew from high exposure or Ryan Stuef... OK so I don't know his last name but some body fill me in. Haha. I've used both and had a great day.

mark felber wrote:My initial instruction was with a Sierra Club rock climbing group; based on that experience I would stay far away from Sierra Club, AMC and other club type organizations.

The Boston AMC chapter has been running a top-notch climbing class in the spring for years. My "graduation" weekend in the Gunks, I seconded Bonnie's Roof Direct, lead by Geoff Tabin...which is a testament to the quality of the instruction and the instructors. The class also prepared me (and many others) to step up to leading; by the end of the summer, students were competently leading trad 9s (and even 10s) in the Gunks and New Hampshire.

PRRose wrote: The Boston AMC chapter has been running a top-notch climbing class in the spring for years. My "graduation" weekend in the Gunks, I seconded Bonnie's Roof Direct, lead by Geoff Tabin...which is a testament to the quality of the instruction and the instructors. The class also prepared me (and many others) to step up to leading; by the end of the summer, students were competently leading trad 9s (and even 10s) in the Gunks and New Hampshire.

I'm calling bullshit on Mark's comment about the AMC Boston. I met up with that group at Texaco Amp last year. There were plenty of climbers who had great technique, the knowledge to stay safe and great attitudes which made the day fun. The exprienced ones encouraged the noobs. Everyone was friendly. The only D-bags I made that day were people outside the group who didn't know shit about the NH alpine, where to belay from and that you don't arrive a TR crag at 1pm on a weekend.

Bill Kirby wrote: I'm calling bullshit on Mark's comment about the AMC Boston. I met up with that group at Texaco Amp last year. There were plenty of climbers who had great technique, the knowledge to stay safe and great attitudes which made the day fun. The exprienced ones encouraged the noobs. Everyone was friendly. The only D-bags I made that day were people outside the group who didn't know shit about the NH alpine, where to belay from and that you don't arrive a TR crag at 1pm on a weekend.

Um, when did Texaco become NH alpine?

1pm on a weekend can be a perfect time to show up at places like Texaco. Lots of groups do half days, people get cold go home, and 9 times out of 10 those walking in at 1 started earlier than you somewhere else. The only problem with going in at 1 is having to walk past all the fat city slickers choking down their lunches rehashing how their 10k kit totally kicks ass for tr'ing 40 foot 3+'s

Back to the OP, AMC, meetup groups, gyms, or go buy some shoes/harness/belay device and hang out at the nearest crag.

roddack wrote: Um, when did Texaco become NH alpine?

What? Someone told me they tried to get on Odell's two days after MWV got two feet of snow. They were surprised to see spindrift and didn't check the Avy report. That someone wasn't you was it? The approach to Tex is long for us fat city slickers but that long.

I'm basing my opinion on the crowds at Texaco off of the three weeks I spent in North Conway last February and the one before. The parking lot was packed in the morning and packed on the way home. Maybe many times you went there to TR 30' of WI3 you got lucky. Check out Pitchoff Right if you're ever in the Dacks. It's right up your alley.

Bill Kirby wrote: What? Someone told me they tried to get on Odell's two days after MWV got two feet of snow. They were surprised to see spindrift and didn't check the Avy report. That someone wasn't you was it?

Not me, I haven't climbed in Huntington aside from late winter/ early spring for the past 5 years.

Pitchoff, yes I've been once or twice. It's a fine place I guess when your just starting out but aside from that it's not all that interesting other than IIRC it gets early season ice.

Just show up and empty your cup! To avoid wrecking your wallet you can just walk up and ask.....i have done that and had it done to me.some of the best experiences of my life.....All free and priceless.The two guys i am thinking of were guides and they just climbed with me! The trick is to see past opportunists and hone in on the humanists.....talk is cheap and i'm broke. I would gladly help if you are ever in my neck of the woods. I love showing new climbers some basics for survival and fun. just don't be blinded by your desire.....share.there are a lot of folks around that climb.Just show up!