I've been rock climbing several times in my life, love it, and would like to do it soon. However, I don't know anyone who does it here in Maryland (near baltimore).

I don't want to pay $texas for some long professional rock climbing class, how do I go about doing something like with skydiving where you pay a certain amount, a dude goes over the basics, and you chuck on the equipment and get going?

Any ideas?

5/11/2007 9:20:04 AM

most universities tend to have a climbing wall. probably have to pay some fees to go use it if you're not a student, but yeah.

and somehow i'm thinking that nobody's going to go over a few basics of skydiving and then let you go jump out of a plane on your own...

5/11/2007 9:27:16 AM

you could always look on the web and find out that that's exactly what happens, followed by a tandem jump

5/11/2007 9:51:04 AM

If you live near Rockville: Sportrock 1 http://www.sportrock.com/
if you llive near Columbia, Timonium: Earth Trecks http://www.earthtreksclimbing.com/

5/11/2007 9:59:18 AM

one of the best things to do is go with a friend to a climbing gym. Start hanging out at the gym and meet people. Then get in on the trips that your new climbing buddies go on. Learn from them and slowly purchase equipment. Then you will be free on your own. Also, buy a climbing book so you know some of the basics

5/11/2007 11:32:40 AM

Go screw around on the bouldering wall outside of carmichael. Thats always a fun time.

5/11/2007 2:38:35 PM

^

Quote :

"(near baltimore)"

5/11/2007 3:35:22 PM

buy a climbing book and about 4 or 5 feet of rope. Practice making knots. Looking for a climbing gym or a place where you can boulder.

5/11/2007 3:47:32 PM

Practice on the wall outside of the gym. You're going to need rock climbing shoes tho, if you can do that without breaking some bones.

5/11/2007 4:37:49 PM

^
Quote :
"(near baltimore)"

5/11/2007 5:08:06 PM

go to home depot, buy 100' nylon rope.

find a nice cliff.

profit.

5/12/2007 2:46:45 AM

I'm a member of the Sportrock in Alexandria. They have tons of classes on basic skills as well as more advanced classes. I learned how to climb by having a friend give me a 5 minute crash course on belaying. Since then, I've taken a class on climbing technique and gotten a lot better. You can by a membership at Sportrock, or pay a daily admission fee + rentals.

5/12/2007 8:28:00 PM