Climbing Gyms

carmen · 11-11-2011, 10:50 AM

Anyone start here before they went out into the wild? I am seriously thinking about getting into this more but its been a while and I am thinking maybe a gym is the best starting point. I had some serious back issues after a nasty wreck and I want to start slow and steady.

charley · 11-11-2011, 12:38 PM

It depends on where you are and who you could climb with. I have friends who started in a gym and many friends who like me started with an outdoor club on real rock. Just make sure it is safe. There are pros and cons to starting each way and my biggest con with indoor gyms is the lack of fresh air and sunshine. Good luck finding a safe way to climb.

rockclimbing_n_rappelling · 12-22-2011, 12:29 PM

A climbing gym sounds like a great way to get started. It seems like it would be safer than starting out on real rock, unless you have an experienced guide with you when you "take it outside".

carmen · 12-22-2011, 12:37 PM

There was a place back in the hills of WV that was on our property, I remember climbing up it with a large rope. No idea how high it was but it felt like an adventure for me being 12 at the time. I would love to get back into this again but so far I have yet to see any places local that do this sort of thing.

oldsarge · 12-22-2011, 03:53 PM

I had done some basic climbing in the wild long before I ever went to an indoor climbing gym. I like the indoor places just for messing around and getting a little work out. I haven't been to one in many years though.

dinosaur · 12-22-2011, 08:44 PM

Me neither but I don't climb shear faces anymore. I content myself with sharp grades on hillsides. It's great having the knowledge to climb without having the neccesity. I saved someone recently from their inability to climb through sugar sand. The girl I rescued wasn't in any major danger. She just couldn't get up the hill. She was really tired when I pulled her up. She thanked me profusely while lying there gasping for breath. All I could do was shake my head.