mattross1313 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Just wondering Last week myself and a few colleagues had our induction and are hoping to get into climbing - there is a good indoor centre at a local school. I am crap with heights and kinda got bullied into it, but its good fun Off out tonight to get some climbing shoes, and maybe harness etc shortly after. Anyone else do or have done this before? I'm hoping to build up my equipment and eventually try outdoors. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I "used" to do a fair amount - enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I used to, but out of practise by a couple of years now... Gravity kept picking on me because of my love of pies, beer, biscuits, and other such tasty things that aren't really compatible with my conquering anything harder than a 6b It's a great sport, especially when you get in to it - kept me sane and fit when I was going through some stressful times - when you're clinging on with your fingertips your brain gets to not think about the rest of the world! No idea where you are in the world, but most places aren't usually too far away from somewhere (although quality varies, and if it's in a school, it's may not be great in my experience) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattross1313 Posted September 4, 2013 Author Share Posted September 4, 2013 I'm down near Bournemouth - it's actually in a leisure centre in the school grounds. It has about 70 routes from a 3 to a 7+. Right now I am sticking to 3 and 4's until my arms get the stamina! There's supposed to be a good centre down near Calshot which we might try. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Indoor climbing? Like stairs? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian@TORQEN Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I do it all the time when looking for stuff in the loft... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliveBoy Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I'm a scout leader in my spare time so frequently do various types of climbing activities. I always enjoy it, might have to actually take up sometime! How expensive is it if you don't mind me asking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnH Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I prefer the feeling of going down rather than up... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 depends where you go - around Reading / Guildford way it's about £7 a chuck if I remember Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattross1313 Posted September 4, 2013 Author Share Posted September 4, 2013 I'm a scout leader in my spare time so frequently do various types of climbing activities. I always enjoy it, might have to actually take up sometime! How expensive is it if you don't mind me asking? As above, the local place we use (and the only place I have used so far) is £6.40 per person and you can stay as long as your arms can hold you!! (so far about 1.5 hours for me). On top of this I am currently hiring equipment at £1 per item, per time - Harness, carabiner and Belay. On that note - if anyone has some gear they no longer use let me know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 why not join a club - they will usually lend you the equipment (for free) and teach you and it will be a small attendance fee and more social events etc etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmr1980 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I used to skydive, but did a few BASE jumps, where we had to climb some pretty epic climbs in the states. I do a lot of Olympic lifting, and love the flexibility and strength climbers have, I sometimes join my friends who do climbing, whilst I haven't got their technique or flexibility, I hold my own fairly well. It's an expensive hobby around London though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK350Z Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Defo look for local clubs, it can be a great craic. Plus it gets you access to loads of second hand gear usually - Just go careful, as of course a lot of it is rather safety critical! Main things to avoid second hand are helmets and ropes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattross1313 Posted September 4, 2013 Author Share Posted September 4, 2013 I can see us joining up with a local club if we get into it - for now I just want to see how well I stick to it! so shoes for now as I REALLY struggling for grip with my gym shoes But the harnesses you get to hire are pretty uncomfortable. Looking at a few on ebay right now. Yeah I figure for second hand kit things like harnesses should be OK as they have wear indicators (or some do), and carabiners, belays are easy to check over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 DON'T buy 2nd hand ropes - HOWEVER cheap they are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattross1313 Posted September 4, 2013 Author Share Posted September 4, 2013 DON'T buy 2nd hand ropes - HOWEVER cheap they are Definitely agree I shouldn't need any rope for a good while yet. Nowhere near ready to go onto rock, and the indoor places so far provide rope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK350Z Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 We have the basics at home; helmet, harness, chalk bag, belay plate, some quickdraws for leading, and some carabiners. Thats all you really need for indoors, and of course you can get a lot of benefit with even less gear by doing bouldering. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Definitely a big fan of bouldering - you spend less time faffing around with ropes and more time working on your technique Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattross1313 Posted September 4, 2013 Author Share Posted September 4, 2013 That's the only downside with this centre we use - not the best bouldering room. As you say I would like to spend more time here working on technique - plus I am pretty crap win heights so can use this to improve footing etc then get used to the height of it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeeB Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 I've bought most of my gear from Go Outdoors, if you have a store near you, well worth a visit and the prices are pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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