Beginning Climber Totally Lost

Where do you live Bobby?

Jake Jones wrote: I'll mention it again because it bears repeating. Be wary of those that spray about their accolades constantly and portray the image that they know everything. People that are genuine badasses with the resume to prove it usually don't engage in that sort of behavior.

Truer words have probably never been spoken on mountainproject.

As far as purchasing gear goes, here's a very scientific diagram that should be studied until it's wrote memorization. I wish I would've seen it before I got those hexes several years ago...

Steven Groetken wrote:As far as purchasing gear goes, here's a very scientific diagram that should be studied until it's wrote memorization. I wish I would've seen it before I got those hexes several years ago...

So basically if you have hexes nobody can tell if you are a gumby or a hardman at a glance? makes sense.

Definitely understand where you're at right now, I'm 17 and have been climbing for almost a year. I fell in love with it much like you have. I can vouch on the advice for meeting more experienced climbers than you- they know tons of stuff that would be beneficial for you to learn, plus they make great friends and climbing partners too. And to second what someone said above me: many times, the experienced climbers don't flaunt it. Be aware of genuine knowledge vs. someone with an out-of-control ego.

If you go to the gym on a regular basis, befriend fellow climbers there. Be confident and friendly. Personally, I met a ton of climbers like me and we've shared experience, advice, etc. Who knows, you could meet someone who could take you for your first time outdoor climbing (like I did), or someone with valuable advice on where to climb outdoors, what to get in terms of gear, and stuff like that. The same person who took me outdoors for the first time taught me how to lead belay and is teaching me how to lead climb right now.

Also, don't be convinced that just because you're younger you aren't capable of being mature. I've met older climbers than me who think I'm an snobby teenager and treated me like I was inferior. Prove to them that you know what you're doing and are serious about getting into it like any other activity.

Other than all that, best of luck to you!

I live in northern Kentucky. Thomas: thanks for all the advice. So should I buy some quickdraws if I find a good deal?

Bobby, I am also in Northern Kentucky. I typically climb on weekdays at the Red if you would like to tag along sometime. Facebook is probably the best way to contact me.

Tim Lutz wrote: Do you find it helpful to wear long pants/shirts and no makeup to thwart unwanted attention from the males?

Are you implying that it is at all up to me to decide which attention is wanted vs. unwanted? That's a pretty radical viewpoint.

And no, I don't find it helpful... I have never worn make-up and I'm still sexy as hell, pants or no pants. Can't be helped.

Anyway, Bobby - my point was just that you shouldn't discount approaching any groups that happen to have females in them. Some groups are going to be friendly and welcoming, some groups are going to be not so welcoming for valid reasons, and some groups are going to be rude and unwelcoming. But if they are unwelcoming for no other reason than the fact that you have a penis and there are vaginas nearby, then (I hope) that isn't a group of people you'd enjoy spending your day with anyway.

Thomas Beck wrote: Questions are good but doing a verbal knot/harness check every time becomes irritating for some climbers.

Those people are not worth climbing with. If they don't care about their own safety, how can you expect them to care about yours?

Em Cos: I would definitely not want to be with a group who's put off by my genitals, thanks for the advice.

I just started climbing may 2013, so I'm totally stoked for you :). I suggest buying "Mountaineering Freedom of The hills". I did and have not regretted it. Starting at 17 you should really crush :)

I had a guy get up tight and refuse to show me he locked his belay biner. I found seone else to belay me. Fuck that guy. It's my lead. It's my safety.

My recommendation would be to go with your gut. Climbing in a larger group gives you a chance to observe others while not being occupied. Watching others catch falls, gives me confidence that they can catch me.

Zach Orig wrote:Definitely understand where you're at right now, I'm 17 and have been climbing for almost a year. I fell in love with it much like you have. I can vouch on the advice for meeting more experienced climbers than you- they know tons of stuff that would be beneficial for you to learn, plus they make great friends and climbing partners too. And to second what someone said above me: many times, the experienced climbers don't flaunt it. Be aware of genuine knowledge vs. someone with an out-of-control ego. If you go to the gym on a regular basis, befriend fellow climbers there. Be confident and friendly. Personally, I met a ton of climbers like me and we've shared experience, advice, etc. Who knows, you could meet someone who could take you for your first time outdoor climbing (like I did), or someone with valuable advice on where to climb outdoors, what to get in terms of gear, and stuff like that. The same person who took me outdoors for the first time taught me how to lead belay and is teaching me how to lead climb right now. Also, don't be convinced that just because you're younger you aren't capable of being mature. I've met older climbers than me who think I'm an snobby teenager and treated me like I was inferior. Prove to them that you know what you're doing and are serious about getting into it like any other activity. Other than all that, best of luck to you!

--------------------------------------------
Zach has it 100% dialed.

More Experienced Climbers

Yeah, the Zen warriors don't advertise. But in today's sponsored world, people will think about and do acts to encourage sponsorship if that is their goal. Solo and observing a group you can get an idea of what the group psych is.

If you were to come across some Camp Wiregates, Petzl's or BD draws...whatever you think you like, at a really really good price...well why not... check against prices at Moosejaw and Backcountry

I am just saying if you show up a stranger at the base of a crag in Red River with no partner and all new shiny gear you will be asking for suspicion.

You won't need draws for top roping, but they might be nice if you lead something.

But as has been said it is really about you, your style and safety habits as to how you approach things.

Today I went out and led something with a partner I have been climbing with for 17 years. We didn't do a verbal safety check. I looked at his hand on the belay device and he watched me as I tied in. Someone I had just started climbing with ...hey that would have been a different scenario.. with more verbal checking.

As far as having your own rope and draws...

For instance if we are taking leads on a route and you get on lead and weight or pop on one of my quickdraws...I'm thinkin', hey it happens. Happened to me more than once. I'm likely to say nothing and rack it up to wear and tear.

One the other hand if you ask to get on something a couple grades over your ability using my draws and cord, then proceed to sob, whip and hangdog your way up it. I am not going to think too highly of you and seeing the dark streak in my lead line from repeated falls I might even make a cutting remark...See the difference?

A story about quick-draws from many years ago. Back in probably 1995, I was at the Gallery with Scott Cosgrove and Peter Croft who both climb way above my pay grade, when Hidetaka Suziki walks over and asks Scott if he can borrow one of Scott's draws. Scott pauses while giving Hidetaka the stink eye and Hidetaka says: don't worry Scott, I won't fall on it" in his broken english. That pretty much sums it up

Bottom line, if you are visiting the crag solo then you are better and safer to observe and be friendly. All the of the previous thread info applies.

If you arrive with a partner or partners you trust to belay and you have gear and a cord then get on anything which strikes your fancy. It's sport climbing right?

To put it bluntly ...

Seek knowledge, skills and experience ... Nadda gear

An experienced climber in real life will tell you waht gear u need beyond yr own personal stuff

Thats all there is to it

;)

Old Sag wrote: So basically if you have hexes nobody can tell if you are a gumby or a hardman at a glance? makes sense.

How shiny are the hexes? That should tell you something.

When do recommend beginning to lead climbs outside?

Bobby Engelman wrote:When do recommend beginning to lead climbs outside?

Whenever you want to, I didn't do more than six pitches of following before I hoped on the sharp end of the rope. Everyone is different.
I started climbing at 17 and never looked back, if you can find a mentor or someone that knows what they're doing that will be an incredible resource - but also know that they will shape you into whatever type of climber they think you should be. I never had a mentor when I was that young. We spent a lot of time bouldering and just learning what movement was like.
My first climbing experience was four of us top-rope gang-banging a 5.6 off-width crack in Pawtuckaway. I don't think any of us could even finish it, but it was enough to spark interest in me and make this thing my life.

Basically:
I think you should get a top-rope setup and then take your friends out and introduce them to the idea of climbing, eventually you'll hit one that just wants it. Go from there. My best friend, and long time climbing partner, started this way and I wouldn't change it for anything.

Another note: Get a mentor or mentor type person when you want to start trad climbing because that is actually likely to kill you if you're a super gumby, and there are a lot of nuances to it that will be best not learned in the hot-seat.

Good luck, if you start this early you're going to become an awesome climber!

Jeremy Riesberg wrote:I had a guy get up tight and refuse to show me he locked his belay biner. I found seone else to belay me. Fuck that guy. It's my lead. It's my safety.

Maybe his fear of the small pee pee being discovered took over?

Em Cos wrote: Are you implying that it is at all up to me to decide which attention is wanted vs. unwanted? That's a pretty radical viewpoint. And no, I don't find it helpful... I have never worn make-up and I'm still sexy as hell, pants or no pants. Can't be helped. Anyway, Bobby - my point was just that you shouldn't discount approaching any groups that happen to have females in them. Some groups are going to be friendly and welcoming, some groups are going to be not so welcoming for valid reasons, and some groups are going to be rude and unwelcoming. But if they are unwelcoming for no other reason than the fact that you have a penis and there are vaginas nearby, then (I hope) that isn't a group of people you'd enjoy spending your day with anyway.

Jesus you make people happy they don't live in Boulder.

Bobby is long as you don't live in Boulder or near Boulder you're not going to meet the kind of assholes this girl is surrounded by every day.
Be willing to be humble and just go to the crag. If you can't find a belay at the RRG, sport climbing is not for you.

Sir chuffs alot wrote: Jesus you make people happy they don't live in Boulder. Bobby is long as you don't live in Boulder or near Boulder you're not going to meet the kind of assholes this girl is surrounded by every day. Be willing to be humble and just go to the crag. If you can't find a belay at the RRG, sport climbing is not for you.

Wow, do I? Sorry to hear that. I've actually never encountered the situation that that one poster was describing. He was saying that Bobby should not approach groups of climbers with females in them... I found that to be kind of ridiculous. Whenever I climb with a group, it is a group with at least one female in it... and we would never be rude to someone just because he was a guy trying to join a group with females. I thought the advice was absurd, and my sarcastic response was meant to illustrate that.

I'm sorry if you disagree, or didn't find it funny, or whatever... but even if my response made you absolutely hate me it shouldn't make you hate Boulder. There are lots of people here and you could easily both live here and never have to interact with me, or anyone else whose humor doesn't suit you.