Anchor courses?
|
I have been climbing for about a year now and am currently making the transition to outdoor (mostly in Devils Lake). I have just about all the gear I need to start top roping and building my own anchors at Devils Lake, but I have more to learn before then. I have climbed at the lake several times with a few experienced climbers I climb with and can continue learning about anchors from them, but I still want to get some insight on the right way to do things through a certified anchors course of some sort. Problem is I cant find anything. The only course around Southern Wisconsin or Devils Lake that I found was through Apex Climbing Adventures and it was expensive! They want $350 for an introductory basic anchors course and another $350 for a second course, both of which to my understanding are only 1 day long hands on at Devils lake. Anyone know of any other places I could check out? I do prefer outdoor/hands on lessons, but since I have some other people to climb with and help me I would not be totally opposed to an online course if need be. |
|
Here in the east we have the AMC. do you have anything like that out your way ? Any local climbing club might run spring training sessions for new leaders |
|
I will definitely keep an eye out for climbing clubs/gyms with courses, but as of right now I don't know any. I would have to assume there is something similar to AMC for the Midwest, but I am not aware of anything. Thanks! |
|
Get a good book and practice everything 45 times in the back yard. Make sure you know everything and answer every question you come across. It's not that difficult if you have the motivation to study and learn. |
|
I took the Anchors 1 course from these guys. |
|
I agree, get a book and a static line and go in the backyard. Put a broomstick down and pretend that's the cliff and make it happen. I like Craig luebben's anchor book but I just finished the Falcon Guide's AMGA Single Pitch Instructor book that had some elaborate anchors that would be good to learn if you plan on setting up lots of TR's where there is a lack of bolted anchors. That book gives great examples of knots you will need and when and how to use them. Good luck. |
|
Falcon Guide to Toproping. I think it's by Gaines. Study and learn every knot and again practice and you should feel pretty confident. If not, read again and practice some more. |
|
Two words:
It's not rocket science... Just start Googling. Here's a start: |
|
books are great, many good suggestions here....nail the basics on your own, in the backyard....THEN hire a CERTIFIED guide and have him/her help you dial things in the real world....apply what you've learned. as one poster said, the fundamentals/techniques aren't rocket science, but applying them takes some judgment/experience, and a guide can really help with that. |
|
Thanks for the help. I think maybe I put too much thought into it. I think getting a book might be my best option considering I have some other climbers to apply the things I learn. I'll check out some of the ones that were suggested. Thanks again. |
|
I offer a course that's significantly cheaper than $350: |