Hello from New Jersey:)

My name is Charles. Been climbing for a bit more than a year, all indoor climbing. I climb at NJRG. How is everyone doing? :)

Hi, Charles, Welcome to MP. I was introduced to climbing at NJRG ages ago, I don't live around there anymore, but I do miss that gym. What brings you to the site? If you're looking to connect with some other climbers, I suggest adding some info and getting yourself in the partner finder. Where in NJ are you from?

Hello Larry. It's a good gym. I really do need to try out some other gyms in the state to see if they are any good. I've been to Gravity Vault in Chatham but it seemed very blah to me. Also, they want climbers to sign contracts to save from having to pay enormous amounts of money. NJRG has good pricing and no contracts. Anyways, I would love to find climbing friends but I haven't really climbed outdoors yet. I glanced over the friend finder and didn't know what to specify as the type of climbing I do.

As of now I only climb indoors. I started bouldering about a year ago. I am now getting my belay cert from NJRG and soon I will be seeking my lead cert from them. So for now I keep bouldering and training to do better.

I am hoping to meet to people who I can train/ climb with. I think maybe my best bet would to make friends with those at the gym. I'm not all that super social though, so it can be tough for me. All I do is climb and train.

I live in North Plainfield, NJ.

Nice to meet you.

Once you feel confident belaying you might consider finding a meetup (website) group for beginning climbers. It's a start in getting outdoors at least, if that's ultimately where you see climbing taking you.

rockclimbing.meetup.com/

I can meet you in the Gunks sometime, but not until the Fall (crowds/heat mostly keeps me away during the summer). There's also several guiding companies that operate out of the Gunks if you're thinking about 'professional' lessons. Gyms and guiding (some paid, so less formal) was how I started.

Well I would love to start climbing outdoors soon, but don't want to rush into it. I don't really think I want to take lessons. I would rather meet up with others who are better than me so I can watch and learn from them.

I don't have any of my own gear, other than the usual shoes, chalk bag, and a harness. I don't even know what I would need to climb outdoors safely.

I wouldn't mind competing eventually, locally that is. It's exciting.

It's okay to go outside...for most of climbing history there was no gym...really!

CVRIV wrote:I don't have any of my own gear, other than the usual shoes, chalk bag, and a harness. I don't even know what I would need to climb outdoors safely.

Welcome to MP.

For you to start following outside you'll only need some pretty basic gear.

• Helmet: safety is key
• Slings: 2-3 60cm for putting cleaned gear on, personal anchor and extending rappel
• ATC: rappelling down the cliff once your done
• Prussik cord: backing up your ATC. maybe 4ft for a prussik or 2 for a simple autoblock
• Locking biners: 2-3 using with atc and personal anchor
• Nut tool: clean gear
• Wiregate biner: attaching prussik/ autoblock to leg loop

Hey dude, it's Dylan, the guy who taught your belay class at Njrg. Glad to see you on MP!! If you want to discuss outdoor climbing, I'll be at the gym later. Cheers!

Sorry for the late reply. MP was denying my ability to reply. Anyways, hey Dylan:) Small world. I couldnt go to the gym yesterday. I destroyed my finger tips the last time I was there. Literally ground the meet off my tips training on the ladder board, the pvc tubes. Im going to try and go today. Should be there when you guys open.

I think maybe Ill start by meeting up with some boulderers to do some outdoor climbing. I dont have a crash pad so id have to find those who are willing to share theirs, at least until I get mine own. Now isnt the time though because I have no idea where to climb outdoors nor do I have anyone to climb with. It will be a process getting myself to the point where i have all my gear. I just cant drop all kinds of money on gear. Right now Im training as hard as I can indoors. I really want to start lead climbing at the gym. I have to do some top rope first. I i doubt ill have trouble doing the top ropes at the gym. Anyways.

CVRIV wrote:Hello Larry. It's a good gym. I really do need to try out some other gyms in the state to see if they are any good. I've been to Gravity Vault in Chatham but it seemed very blah to me. Also, they want climbers to sign contracts to save from having to pay enormous amounts of money. NJRG has good pricing and no contracts. Anyways, I would love to find climbing friends but I haven't really climbed outdoors yet. I glanced over the friend finder and didn't know what to specify as the type of climbing I do. As of now I only climb indoors. I started bouldering about a year ago. I am now getting my belay cert from NJRG and soon I will be seeking my lead cert from them. So for now I keep bouldering and training to do better. I am hoping to meet to people who I can train/ climb with. I think maybe my best bet would to make friends with those at the gym. I'm not all that super social though, so it can be tough for me. All I do is climb and train. I live in North Plainfield, NJ. Nice to meet you.

Michael C wrote: I live in Metuchen. Message me offline and we'll meet up sometime. I can take you cragging and bouldering, gym on rainy days.