Hi,

I am very keen on trying my hand at mountain climbing but have no idea where to start, who to talk to or what my first steps should be.

Please could someone let me know how I go about getting involved in this awesome lifestyle?

Many thanks,
Justin

Hi

the best way to get into climbing is to do a course. In KZN I recommend you contact Gavin at Peak High: http://peakhigh.co.za/

While a course will cost you some thing, you learn much more quickly, in an ordered way and with folk who have taugh many others - so they know how to do it properly. It will save you in the long run in many ways - for example what to buy when & what not to waste your money on

Simon

If you're in Pietermaritzburg at any stage, you can stop by at the climbing gym here, we offer intro courses etc. PM me for more details

Josh

So I am probably going to piss off a few people with this post, but so be it, I have only managed to piss off two people today and have a few vacant spots available.

Justin, do not just assume paying for a course is the only and best option. Whereas you may learn something from it, doesn't make it necessary to start the sport. The best way IMHO is to go find a willing climber or a group to get into it with (and to date I have not met ONE climber who was not willing to help teach/advise/assist new climbers getting into the sport). Post here and someone should take you under their wing. In CPT our group has happily taken on new climbers to teach them...the ropes...pun intended. It also helps with advice wrt equipment you need.

HAVING SAID THAT...DO NOT READ INTO WHAT I SAID THAT YOU CAN BUY KIT AND JUST GO CLIMB!!!! Rapid deceleration syndrome is real and deadly! You HAVE to find a climber or group to take you under their wing OR, and only if you absolutely cannot find a group, then go pay for a course.

If you can't find a group, I will seriously start frowning upon the KZN climbers, whats wrong with you warm water dwellers???

/flame on

_________________
Strangers have the best candy!

Funguye, I have to disagree with most of what you've said but do agree with it in part.
Going on a formal course you will learn best practise by those who are up to date with current international standards and norms.

I have met many a veteran climber who has learnt how to climb by trial and error or had a mentor take them under their wing who themselves learnt by trial and error. Watching these very experienced climbers at the crag, many of whom have climbed big stuff all over the world, generally don't follow best practise. Maybe they've just been lucky, but I'd imagine if they had done a formal training course they'd be climbing a lot safer.

So the way I see it, it's not just a case of finding a willing climber to show you the ropes. (another example here is the simple task of threading chains at the top of a sport route can be done super safe but can also be done not very safely, both get the job done but I kinda prefer super safe.) It's a case of finding a willing climber who themself has received some formal training (or been menored by someone else who has)to show you the ropes, and with that any of the guys involved in mountain rescue would be a good person to teach you best practise.
Or alternatively go on a formal training course, which gives you a good foundation to build on. Then go out there and climb with multiple partners and figure out what works for you.

If you are in the PMB area, I would recommend the High Altitude Climbing Gym / wall run by Josh.

I personally think the best way to get into the sport is to try it out at the climbing wall for at least a month or 2, then you can decide if you are really serious, or just going through a "phase" in life. Most of the time you will get hooked, so then you can start getting gear, etc. and then go outdoors!

There is a lot of people that climb at the gym, who will be able to teach you, especially Josh. But if you want to do it by the books, then take a course from him, if not, we are all there to help! Only with the basic stuff though

There is a couple of us that are from the gym that try to climb outdoors during weekends, if time/work permits. So even if you are a super beginner, you are more than welcome to join us!

Have a lekker one!
Sunny

McCoy, I always appreciate a good opposing argument. This is more about staying alive that whose e-penis is the biggest.

You make a valid point and reading through your response made me realize that I have in fact thought about the same when seeing people doing things and having strong opinions that differ whilst meeting them at crags.

However I do feel there is a point to be made for picking up a new hobby. I have more hobbies than arguments, judging by the equipment I have. Some of them I did once and although enjoyed it, didn't really get into it into the long run. In retrospect, I could have saved up some money on courses which would now be the source of funds for a trad rack (and a course ).

So ye, I am all for a course, but perhaps give it a shot first and stick with the ones that managed to not die yet, and when the hobby sticks, go get a course done. Having climbed for a while now myself, and experiencing different arguments, I myself are considering an official course to substantiate or amend my own thnking. As you said, super safe is best.

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Strangers have the best candy!

Funguye, cool man. I think we both have valid points but I don't thing we'll agree 100% on every point and that's ok, that's why they called opinions.
Just a couple of things to add...
90% of the time if you stick to being introduced to the sport by those who are still alive, then you'll get by. However it's that other 10% that you've got to worry about. Just because you're a super hot shot climber does not mean you're a good teacher. I see this all the time in rope access where a level3 who's been in the game for ten years tries to teach a guy how to tie an alpine butterfly for example and his way of teaching is terrible and he just ends up confusing the guy even more.
I'm sure most of us have seen on more that one occasion experienced climbers belaying badly, maybe over the years they've just been lucky or they've become complacent, nobody likes to be told they not belaying properly. Now said experienced climber teaches a newbie poor belay practise. That's that one time when you have somebody else's life in your hands and if you stuff up they die. Personally I would rather have spent a bit of cash to learn it right first time. Most instructors offering intro courses price there courses very reasonably, they literally just cover their expenses on those courses, because they want to see the sport grow...and safely. I still feel this is the best way to be introduced to the sport, also considering all gear etc is included in the price of the course so if at the end of the day you decide it's not for you, well you haven't wasted money on shoes, harness or any other gear.

I've been fortunate over the past ten years to have gone on a few formal courses, which gave me a good foundation for safety, but without a shadow of a doubt where I've learn't the most has been spending time out in the mountains sharing a rope with the old guard.

I might be jacking the topic, but here's an excellent example of a pro being a useless teacher:


Check out the comments section on youtube. And he's sponsored by Petzl!

Not sure why but I don't seam to be able to view the vid.

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXvRpH4My8s

Shot, got it.