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SLC indoor climbing partners looking to move outdoors

Original Post
StrangeBrew Vasquez · · Salt Lake City, Ut · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 5

We have been climbing indoors for a couple of months. We both want to move outdoors! Basically looking for someone to show us how to set up TR outdoors on easy climbs and not kill ourselves. Would love to learn how to begin sport climbing. Any takers?

1.Don't want to die, single dad, he has a wife!
2.Fat but working on it, can run 3 miles (6'0 225). He is definitely active. (Odd couple)
3.Will buy beer and pizza later.
4.We lack rope/experience/helmets.

cdec · · SLC, UT · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 654

1. looking to climb outside and acquire new skills
2. Has, valid, safety concerns
3. Lacks proper equipment to do the climbing
4. Willing to pay

You could consider hiring a guide.

John Butler · · Tonopah, NV · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 115

or consider joining the Wasatch Mountain Club. They do that sort of thing.

wasatchmountainclub.org/adm…

StrangeBrew Vasquez · · Salt Lake City, Ut · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 5

I am a member, and have considered the guide option. Just exploring all options. Thanks for the input, didn't expect to get many bites.

Eric Chabot · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 45

There's a meetup group that I have seen at challenge buttress in BCC on fridays. Seemed like there was a wide variety of skill/experience levels

smax · · Wanship, UT · Joined Aug 2005 · Points: 115

What are your schedules like? Willing to drive to Echo or the Uintas?

Unfortunately teaching people how not to die while top-roping and doing easy sport has become my specialty.

StrangeBrew Vasquez · · Salt Lake City, Ut · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 5

Eric: Would love more info about that group if you have it

Extra: Something to consider, would like to slowly buy pro and test at or near ground level. (Trad is a ways off, but I would love to give it a go)

Smax: We have a few takers, but I'm under the impression I need to develop a climbing circle! Can I take a for sure rain check?

benb · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 0

It's nice to have people to teach you, but I really think you can figure out sport climbing, and you could wait forever looking for mentors whose time, location, interests, etc match yours. If you want to start climbing, here's what I recommend:

Buy a 60m x 10mm dynamic rope, 10 draws, guidebook, a couple lockers and slings. Total cost about $300-$400, probably $150 each or less if you get good sales (backcountry.com, steepandcheap.com, etc). If you can't commit to $150 I'm not sure how much you really want to climb anyway. Keep in mind you can probably sell the gear (at a big discount) if you decided to quit, so your out of pocket is even less (how much do you spend at the bar/dinner/whatever?). I assume you have shoes, harnesses, and belay devices from climbing indoors. Go to BCC and start climbing easy sport climbs with bolted anchors. Review a few articles/videos on how to not back-clip or z-clip your bolts and the basics of sport climbing. Get lost in the woods a bit, be careful with reading topos, and make sure you provide a good belay to each other. Use the slings and lockers for topropes thru the bolted anchors, and avoid old manky bolts and spinners. Honestly, I really think it doesn't have to be all that hard. Don't worry about trad yet.

My 2 cents. It's how a lot of people seem to learn.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern Utah & Idaho
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