March 29, 2012 
COMPLETED!
I purchased a Groupon back before Christmas for an Introductory Class in Rock Climbing and only finally got around to taking it this past week. When a girlfriend asked me to do this with her a year ago, I really wasn’t interested – climbing up a rock wall just didn’t excite me. However, after she had been doing it for about a year, she started climbing places here in North Carolina, like Pilot Mountain and Moore’s Wall, and THAT looked exciting! I changed my tune quickly.
Another girlfriend and I joined 4 others for our 2 hour class this past Wednesday. While waiting for our class to begin, I marveled at the sheer number of kids crawling all over the walls like spider monkeys. Much like my experience with skiing, I was reminded that kids just have no fear (and, weighing less, are probably better able to lift their own body weight up the wall).
In the class we learned about climbing routes, different belay techniques, and bouldering. We spent most of this class (1.5 hours) learning how to get into a harness, how to tie a figure 8 knot and proper top rope belay technique. After successfully demonstrating that we knew how to use the equipment correctly, we finally headed out to the climbing area. Each pair took turns climbing and belaying while the instructor supervised and then, the climber of the pair switched with the belayer, so that everyone got a chance to do both.
I chose to climb first, just to go ahead and get it over with. Sometimes I just need to do something I’m nervous about because the more I think about it, the more I’ll psych myself out. Honestly, I broke into a cold sweat. My feet, bound in ill-fitting climbing shoes, began to cramp up almost immediately. But I just kept moving up the wall. Once I reached the top, it was nerve wracking to let go and trust that the rope would hold as I rappelled down, but I just reminded myself that I have much larger distance to rappel come October, so I better get used to it sooner rather than later!
After the class was over, we were allowed to climb as long as we liked. My girlfriend and I both took turns climbing and belaying for about 45 minutes longer. By the end, I was much more comfortable letting go to rappel down and my feet were no longer cramping up.
I was reminded of the way I felt when I was learning to SCUBA dive. As long as you are paying attention, using equipment properly, and taking pains to be safe, there really isn’t much chance for bodily injury. But…wow…the potential for harm if you don’t take these things seriously…and it’s so easy to just get complacent.
My next step will to get Belay Certified where I’ll have to demonstrate that I know the correct technique by the instructor actually falling (once announced, once unannounced). That’s a bit unsettling.
Things like bouldering and lead climbing still look like they’ll never be within my reach. However, I’m on my way. While I may have learned the basics, just like with skiing and SCUBA diving, this will just continue to be another ongoing,life long learning experience.
So who out there is an avid rock climber? Climbed anything super cool that I need to check out (eventually)?
I’m not a rock climber myself, but I’m wondering which gender has the edge in this sport: men because of their greater upper body strength, or women because they have less weight to move up the side of a cliff? Just curious…
I don’t know! There were LOTS of girls climbing so I don’t think it’s a male dominate sport automatically. And the theory is that when you are do basic climbing, you should be doing more with your legs anyway. When you get into the bouldering, that’s when the upper body strength becomes a factor.
Climbing is all about the legs…otherwise you’ll pump yourself out and won’t be able to climb for long. The rock doesn’t care about gender and it’s a battle against yourself. That’s why I love it!
In my experience, I think it just depends on the person. At the rock climbing place I’ve been to, males and females are about half and half. They both do well.
I’ve been to the rock climbing place in St. Paul many times. My first time, I went through a short instruction time (about 15 minutes) and just went to climbing. It was weird to just climb straight up a wall like that, but it was so much fun. I’ve tried bouldering before and I like that too. It’s just a little different from rock climbing itself.
VE I assume. I used to be there all the time. Now I like to go to Taylors Falls. Red Wing isn’t too bad either, but I prefer igneous rocks to sedimentary.
I am so happy that you tried this!
I would say the climbing advatange is equally divided between men and women. Some climbs are easier if you are short, and for some height is a great advantage. It become more apparent in a gym where routes are set. When you hit real rock there is no one telling you were to grab on and nothing is “off route” so you are bound to find something. It mostly comes down to technique and learning to use your legs.
Come join us whenever you like! And when you feel ready we will hit the great outdoors.
Monica! My inspiration! I can’t wait to practice my new skills to work and then join you!
That does sound like fun. i enjoyed scuba diving and wish i could do that again. but i would love to try rock climbing. i’ll have to hint at it with my family for my birthday next month.
Sounds like the perfect present to me!
Fingers crossed they’ll take the hint
OK, that is terrifying to become certified. I don’t know if I could have that much pressure on me! But again way to go on kicking some rock climbing butt!
Well…eventually someone is going to fall while your belaying so I guess I would like to have that done in a “controlled” environment for the first time it happens. Thanks!
Awesome! Lead climbing in a different animal. A lot harder than toprope. Once you’re comfortable with toprope, looking into sport climbing (lead climbing using bolts and quickdraws.) It’s a quick and “inexpensive” way to get into lead climbing. Trad climbing (setting protection as you climb) is a lot more difficult and the gear is really expensive. I love climbing! Glad you tried it out!
The first time I tried rock climbing was for a school project- to try something new. I remember not being able to squeeze toothpaste after that session! The second time around, I rock climbed at Railey Beach, Thailand, apparently one of the best spots, and it was exhilirating! Will definitely rock climb again if the opportunity arises.