Any rock climbers here?

NickK · 20 Aug 2007 at 16:09

Just about to arrange a taster session at Craggy Island (Guildford) with a possible Spanish activity holiday that has a day of rock climbing later.

Just interested if there's any rock climbers lurking here

Bunka · 20 Aug 2007 at 17:41

I'd imagine there's quite a few, I used to climb pretty much every week but haven't as much in the last year or so. Got a housemate moving in who's a climber, so bring on September. \o/

mctrials23 · 20 Aug 2007 at 19:02

Yeah I climb about 4 times a week, norwich isnt exactly the heart of england for climbing however. If your going to spain then I would imagine that you will be doing sport climbing. How long till the holiday?

Craggy island is a wicked wall to learn on. Good luck.

tom_e · 20 Aug 2007 at 20:24

I dabble in a bit of indoor climbing when im back at uni

Styles · 20 Aug 2007 at 21:45

Never tried it myself, but indoor climbing is something I'd definately like to try at some point. A great challenge and a great thrill I can imagine.

homerio · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:24

I'm going to resurrect this as I'm planning to do some climbing at Craggy Island in the near future with a view of trying to go every week. Is it suitable for a novice like myself? If I go there will there be people I can talk to about any equipment I should maybe look to get myself after a few sessions?

cleanbluesky · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:42

homerio said:
I'm going to resurrect this as I'm planning to do some climbing at Craggy Island in the near future with a view of trying to go every week. Is it suitable for a novice like myself? If I go there will there be people I can talk to about any equipment I should maybe look to get myself after a few sessions?

What to buy:

Indoor:
Climbing shoes
Harness (Optional)
Belay Plate (Optional)
Chalk/bag
Climbing clothes if you want to fit in (I'd advise against, climbers don't have the best taste in clothes)

Outside (assumes you have all the above):
Helmet (Sometimes optional, depends on whether you're the 'safety first' type)
Approach shoes
Small-medium rucksack
Clothes (Seriously, climbers wear the same clothes like clones) :rolleyes:

Outside leading (in order of importance):
Rope
Set of nuts
Hexs
Cams

Alpine:
Crampons
Mountain boots
Alpine axe

Ice climbing:
2x Technichal axes

Off the top of my head, thats all the kit you'll ever need for most things. My advice would be to get a taster in and see if you like the people there.

collisster · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:59

ice climbing is soo much fun, I did a taster up at ice factor

Alasdair · 2 Jan 2008 at 22:27

collisster said:
ice climbing is soo much fun, I did a taster up at ice factor

So did I. I was tempted to have a go on their articulated wall, but I didn't have time as we were just passing through Kinlochleven with a train to catch.

I mostly climb indoors at Ratho or Alien Rock in Edinburgh. Ratho is amazing, but it's absolutely freezing at the moment - Alien Rock has better heaters so wins my vote at the moment.

I've not been for a month or so, but am setting myself the goal of climbing to 6b consistent this year - last year my target was 6a, and I'm pretty much there.

Bunka · 3 Jan 2008 at 01:06

Alasdair said:
I've not been for a month or so, but am setting myself the goal of climbing to 6b consistent this year - last year my target was 6a, and I'm pretty much there.

British Tech Grade or French?

platypus · 3 Jan 2008 at 09:54

Haven't climbed in a while - there just aren't the facilities here in Cambridge (although that may be changing soon as a group of friends of mine are getting a business plan together!).

Love climbing though.

NickK · 3 Jan 2008 at 18:38

Blimey - holy thread revival.

I did indeed go on the Spanish activity holiday. Rock climbing, caving, canyoning etc all in the lovely Picos de Europa region.
Rock climbing outdoors was fantastic!

Grimbough · 4 Jan 2008 at 01:59

platypus said:
Haven't climbed in a while - there just aren't the facilities here in Cambridge (although that may be changing soon as a group of friends of mine are getting a business plan together!).

Love climbing though.

Yer the Kelsey Kerridge doesn't really cut it!

platypus · 4 Jan 2008 at 11:23

Grimbough said:
Yer the Kelsey Kerridge doesn't really cut it!

Fingers crossed my friends get their business loan approved

.

I'll be helping lay some routes if so!

Grimbough · 4 Jan 2008 at 23:43

platypus said:
Fingers crossed my friends get their business loan approved .

I'll be helping lay some routes if so!

Do you know any sort of time scale for this? It'd be awesome if Cambridge got a half decent wall.

Elephant08 :P · 5 Jan 2008 at 15:15

Done it a couple of times, I'd take it up, however I also want to take up snowboarding.

4T5 · 5 Jan 2008 at 15:18

Yes but i do my Rock climbing in my Zook :cool: