i finally made this awesome rock climbing thread! please discuss what kind of climbing you are interested in, where you climb (indoors & out), share awesome videos & photos, discuss gear, other products, and so on.

2/19/2011 10:21:58 AM

How do I go about getting started in climbing if I have never done it before?

2/19/2011 10:44:49 AM

POST!!!

^If you are at state you should go to Outdoor Adventures and take one of their belay classes. If not then you should go to a local rock gym and take a belay class. Once you know those basics, you should be able to climb in any gym.



looks like you have to pay $10 at state now. That's still way cheaper than any other gym though

http://ncsu.edu/stud_affairs/campus_rec/outdoor-adventures/rock-wall/belay-clinic.php

[Edited on February 19, 2011 at 10:54 AM. Reason : ...]

2/19/2011 10:52:14 AM

i took an intro class at vertical edge about a year ago. they do those on tues & thurs nights for $30. i really just learned how to belay and tie knots, nothing about actually climbing though. triangle rock club has intro classes several days a week for like $50 or $60. a little more expensive but they actually show you some climbing techniques after you learn to belay and tie knots.

2/19/2011 11:22:29 AM

Quote :

"what kind of climbing you are interested in"

Trad, sport, ice, alpine, big wall, mixed, ski mountaineering, big mountains. I've done a bit of all of it and interested in all of it.

Quote :

"where you climb (indoors & out)"

Outdoor: Anywhere I have the time and a partner. Yosemite and near Tahoe are where I climbed most last year. This year I want to do more High Sierra climbing as well as a few big walls.
Indoor: In the gyms in Livermore and Davis, CA.

Basically if any of y'all on the West coast I can take you up something.

2/21/2011 12:19:42 AM

I'm mostly into sport climbing and bouldering right now. Outdoors I climb around Boone, Rumbling Bald, Crowder's, Moore's, NRG, etc. I'm at Inner Peaks (Charlotte) about every other day. Always up to climb with new people!

2/21/2011 8:37:28 AM

Take one of the basic climbing PE courses at State. The basic course teaches you belay techniques, climbing, and everything you need to know to get started in top-roping. If you like it, there is an intermediate course that focuses on more advanced tethering, anchoring, rescue, and belay techniques including the use of cams, nuts, and other lead climbing hardware. It was definitely more lead climbing and safety oriented, where the basic is just how to belay and climb with a static top-rope.

I took both and really enjoyed them. The basic is really low impact, all you really had to do is pass the basic skills tests, then document the completion of any 10 different routes, which could be done indoor or outdoor, wherever you wanted to do them. Class time was pretty much just show up, find a partner, and climb for an hour or so. The intermediate one didn't have nearly as much climbing during class, but you still had to get 10 or 20 routes completed over the course of the semester. Class time was mostly practicing the technical stuff and getting signed off on it, but we had a field trip at the end where we went and climbed at Pilot Mountain. I think I got in a good third of my climbs in that one day.

2/21/2011 8:59:00 AM

^^can you give some beta for rumbling bald?

Meg and I were talking about making a run up there once it gets a little warmer and neither of us have ever been. Obviously there is quite a bit of information online and I've looked at some but was wondering if you (or anyone) had any other tips or suggestions, even on camping and stuff. We are interested in the bouldering mostly. Probably nothing harder than V4.

2/21/2011 9:11:34 AM

Quote :

"^^can you give some beta for rumbling bald? Meg and I were talking about making a run up there once it gets a little warmer and neither of us have ever been. Obviously there is quite a bit of information online and I've looked at some but was wondering if you (or anyone) had any other tips or suggestions, even on camping and stuff. We are interested in the bouldering mostly. Probably nothing harder than V4."

I would definitely recommend buying the guidebook. I know you can get it from TRC. REI/Great Outdoor Provision probably sell it as well. You'd be totally lost without it if no one in your group knows the area. My favorite spot to warm up on is the Simpson's boulder. It's got some cool V3 and under problems and you can head out from there to a number of different areas.

You're going to want to get there early. Like 8:00-9:00 depending on how nice the weather is. Parking is terrible, and if the lot is full, you're screwed.

Don't know anything about camping, but the guidebook should have some info on where to stay.

[Edited on February 21, 2011 at 10:01 AM. Reason : .]

2/21/2011 9:59:11 AM

Sounds like we should definitely get there the night before. I'd love to get out there by 8 or earlier.

2/21/2011 12:46:37 PM

does anyone else on here climb at trc in morrisville? we have been going about twice a week for awhile now. i'll be so happy when i can fit in 4 or more days a week.

3/14/2011 10:31:02 PM

http://climbingnarc.com/2011/03/5-14-onsight-spree-by-adam-ondra-in-etxauri-spain/

Quote :

"In February Ondra did his hardest FA to date in Siurana, Spain with the FA of La Capella, and this week he took it to a new level in Etxauri, Spain according to this report in Spanish on Desnivel.com. After “warming up” with onsights of F**k The Police (5.14b) and Tekken (5.14a), Ondra returned on consecutive days to onsight 5.14cs Kidetasunaren balio erantsia and Bizi Euskaraz*."

Wow. This kid is not human.

3/15/2011 8:29:56 AM

I love a nice 5.14 in the morning

3/15/2011 9:02:57 AM

Climbing tonight! Come on out!

3/16/2011 1:09:25 PM

No rocks for me.



I actually did some climbing this weekend to help a friend cut down a tree. It was a holly tree that was about 50 feet tall. I topped it off at about 35 feet so it wouldnt hit some powerlines or the house when we felled the rest of it. I had the top tied in with the rope through a pulley mounted to the top of the trunk. When I cut the top loose it swung out, pushing the trunk towards me about a foot, then swung away from the tree pulling the trunk (and me attached) about 2 feet off center in the opposite direction, then when the top slammed into the trunk it threw the trunk (and me holding on tightly) towards be about 4 feet off center. THAT was a hell of a ride.
Wish I had it on video Few things get my heart pumping, this is one.

3/17/2011 2:27:37 AM

Tommy Caldwell's left hand, haha.



He still climbs some of the hardest stuff in the world.

3/17/2011 8:53:47 AM

I think it's wild he does all this awesome climbing but lost his hand remodeling his house!


By the way, I have graduated to climbing V1 boulder problems. I am so proud!!

3/17/2011 12:29:29 PM

[Edited on March 17, 2011 at 3:01 PM. Reason : thats a V1 in that cartoon]

3/17/2011 3:01:38 PM

Quote :

"I actually did some climbing this weekend to help a friend cut down a tree. It was a holly tree that was about 50 feet tall. I topped it off at about 35 feet so it wouldnt hit some powerlines or the house when we felled the rest of it. I had the top tied in with the rope through a pulley mounted to the top of the trunk. When I cut the top loose it swung out, pushing the trunk towards me about a foot, then swung away from the tree pulling the trunk (and me attached) about 2 feet off center in the opposite direction, then when the top slammed into the trunk it threw the trunk (and me holding on tightly) towards be about 4 feet off center. THAT was a hell of a ride. Wish I had it on video Few things get my heart pumping, this is one."

you should tell me about these things. you never get excited

3/18/2011 10:34:56 AM

It must have been a good friend too. Holly trees are pretty much one of the last types of tree I would scale LOL

3/18/2011 10:42:44 AM

it was his boss actually

3/18/2011 11:11:52 AM

climbing again today!

3/19/2011 12:14:00 PM

Quote :

"It must have been a good friend too. Holly trees are pretty much one of the last types of tree I would scale LOL"

It was solid and I was climbing on gaffs. I limbed it on the way up so I wouldn't get poked.
Tip for anyone doing tree work; if you're limbing up a tree leave half a foot of the limb. The nubs make good spots to stand on and will catch your lanyard or rope should you lose your footing.

3/25/2011 4:10:58 PM

God damn rain...really wanted to climb this weekend.

3/25/2011 4:42:46 PM

come to trc! we are going tomorrow, i think.

3/25/2011 5:34:22 PM

Definitely would, but I live in Charlotte now! I'll be at Inner Peaks

3/25/2011 9:27:04 PM

Don't know if you guys are members of The Clymb - it's similar to Steep and Cheap, but it's invite only. I only recently joined but you can get some ridiculous deals on gear. New stuff shows up on a weekly basis.

You can join under me here:

http://theclymb.com/invite-from/DavidBarbour

4/6/2011 11:21:54 AM

but that's not a holly in the pic.

4/6/2011 12:27:59 PM

Any opinions on Vertical Edge in Durham? Wanna get started in rock climbing so looking for instruction. TRC is fully booked till next month.

4/6/2011 4:43:31 PM

Personally I liked Vertical Edge, I also like TRC though which is where I usually go now. VE was slightly more blue collar and has a more "dirty/edgy" feel to it compared to TRC. Their climbs tend to criss-cross across each other less than TRCs and they have a couple of features on the wall that I liked that TRC doesnt have (TRC also has some things that VE doesn't like a legit bouldering area).

That being said I've never taken either of their belay courses. I've heard that TRC gives you more "on the wall" instruction during the beginner course - like how to move once you are climbing, etc. But when you are beginning all you really need to know is how to be safe (how to belay and how to tie in) everything else is extra and will come naturally by climbing a lot and watching other people. So if you can't get in at TRC then VE is just as good for learning the ropes IMO

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^^^Thanks! Im checking that out now


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So I'm daydreaming about climbing at my desk today at work during lunch looking for something to read about some local climbs. I come across this blog and Im pretty sure I recognize the author, a lady I have seen climbing at TRC with her husband. So I'm reading about some of her climbs she was attempting while she was 4-5 months pregnant and they are like 3 pitches of 5.11b!!! basically a full grade harder than what Im currently putting up.

Things like that are by far the most frustrating part of climbing. Seeing a pregnant lady (or old lady or 10 year old) climb harder than me.

/humbling rant

[Edited on April 6, 2011 at 5:56 PM. Reason : rawr carrets]

4/6/2011 5:55:03 PM

Quote :

"Any opinions on Vertical Edge in Durham? Wanna get started in rock climbing so looking for instruction. TRC is fully booked till next month."

It depends on what kind of information you want from your instruction. I took the beginner course at VE and all I learned how to do was tie a knot and belay. We climb at TRC now and I've watched many of the beginner courses. It's much more intense and they actually give some tips on climbing and you get to practice climbing with the instructor. I think they also give you a free pass for a week.

^I think I know who you're talking about. The baby we always see trying to chew on the ropes? Lol I can't believe she was climbing while pregnant!!



[Edited on April 6, 2011 at 6:51 PM. Reason : ]

4/6/2011 6:42:25 PM

Ended up just going to TRC today and doin the auto-belays. First time climbing and it was a lot of fun. Ended up climbing for like 1.5 hours straight and being soaked in sweat haha. First stop after TRC was REI to find a more comfy harness. Those rentals were just not cushioned right for men Thinking of going again tomorrow when I've had more than 3 hours of sleep and haven't run 6 miles a few hours before

4/8/2011 7:31:48 PM

We'll be there Sunday!

4/8/2011 8:37:21 PM

I'll probably be there Tom and Sunday; buying membership Tom!

4/8/2011 10:18:56 PM

definitely worth it in my opinion. what harness did you go with?

4/8/2011 11:33:38 PM

Black Diamond Ozone: was comfy and I liked the color!

4/9/2011 11:13:21 AM

nice. are you just getting started or have you climbed before?

4/9/2011 3:40:34 PM

Yesterday was first day! Already went in and bought membership and climbed for 2 hours, going back in a bit; needed lunch!

4/9/2011 4:00:39 PM

we were there from 3:30 til they closed today. my hands still hurt and i climbed like shit, but i'm ready to get back at it. i'll be happy when i'm done with school and can spend more time up there.

4/10/2011 9:44:57 PM

didn't get to climb all weekend and i'm itching for it reeeal bad. i'm a rock climbing crackhead

4/10/2011 9:49:40 PM

mm mmmm I love [climbing on] ROCKS

4/10/2011 10:00:21 PM

you crack me up

4/10/2011 10:53:38 PM

Was only there for like 4 boulder climbs yesterday Wore too small of shoes sat for ~5 hours and had more than blisters on top of big toes!

4/11/2011 1:49:03 PM

what kind of shoes are you wearing? a lot of climbers wear shoes that are much smaller than their regular shoe size but i wouldn't recommend it at this point. i'm really no expert though -- i've only been climbing about a year now and i do pretty basic stuff.

4/11/2011 6:57:37 PM

Na I was just dumb and got very wrong sized shoes haha. I ground my left big toe to the bone cause I was stubborn and refused to stop. All good now with some very snug Sportiva Miuras! Climbed for 2.5 hours today with heavily taped/moleskinned big toes with 0 discomfort!

4/11/2011 7:25:40 PM

Had and AWESOME time at the gym today. I've had this 12c/d project for a week or so now (top rope). Decided to say fuck it and lead the thing, and got it second try. Also led another 12a. Before today I had been stuck on 11c/d for months. So glad to see results from training hard.

4/11/2011 10:25:57 PM

nice, I hope to be climbing somewhere near there soon (well within the next year )

whats your typical training week look like?

4/12/2011 9:53:14 AM

I usually climb at least 3 hours in the gym Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and head outdoors at least one day per weekend. I always climb within a number grade of my limit, except when warming up or doing laps at the end of a session. I've also been doing core exercises to work my abs, sides, and lower back, which I think has helped a lot.

Another thing that's helped me recently is learning to focus on my breathing. It really helps your endurance throughout a route and taking a couple deep breaths before a hard move will give you a burst of energy.

4/12/2011 10:43:39 AM

I GOTS TO STEP UP MA GAME

4/12/2011 2:24:08 PM

You guys should go to this: http://www.newriverrendezvous.com/

I went last year and it was really fun. They have some free clinics you can sign up for as well, but you need to sign up now before they all fill up. Registration opened yesterday.

[Edited on April 12, 2011 at 2:33 PM. Reason : .]

4/12/2011 2:31:35 PM