Must haves for a beginner climber
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Mark E Dixon wrote: You might consider trying it yourself some day. Many of my happiest times have been climbing with my wife.This! My girlfriend and I just started in June. We both love it and look forward to climbing in the gym and outside. We managed to get into a good group of friends and really enjoy ourselves in the company and the adventure. |
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He wants to try mountaineering? |
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Sportiva Solutions and/or TC Pros |
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nicole future falk wrote:Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I think the first thing I am going to get is a gift certificate to the local climbing gym!I would follow that up with a couple of guided trips with a guide, outside. The indoor stuff has never really done it for me. Any interest in joining him or are you trying to get him out on his own? As far as adrenaline goes, there is also a component of climbing that is meditative, calm and pushes your concentration levels. I think it is actually a bigger part. If he is looking for some climbing more like the middle east he could always check out this place: mountainproject.com/v/the-c… |
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Even cheaper, a trip with Outward Bound, they're free (including airfare) for veterans. Should be able to find a course that goes rock climbing, peak bagging or mountaineering depending on what he's interested in. |
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My wife has caught some of my lead falls. I took her climbing on our anniversary. She isn't my main climbing partner but she is my best friend so when she wants to go I make it happen. |
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1.) shoes |
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Jake Jones wrote: Have tried it. Exhaustingly so. Some people can pull it off. Some can't. My wife and I are of the latter group. You're obviously not. I'm envious.Sounds like you need a new wife ;) jk. |
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Mitchell Hodge wrote:...But in all seriousness. Get him shoes and a gym membership. It will get him inspired to go further if he likes it.Seriously, this. He might decide he just wants to boulder. In which case he'll want a crash pad instead of a harness... Or he might decide that he hates climbing after all and that all climbers are assholes. If I've learned anything from climbing, it's that you should only buy the gear as you need it. Not just because you think you will someday. |
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Mitchell Hodge wrote:5. An Iphone; For cool on-route selfies.+1 |
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Jake Jones wrote:Haha! Nah, it's just not her thing- with me. I'm too focused on what she's doing and she's too bossy. With others, we're fine. I think we're just too concerned with what one another is doing. Or I could just be completely wrong. Marriage is like that sometimes. No biggie.I think there's definitely a learning curve to enjoying activities together with a spouse, and it usually boils down to understanding their state of mind and then knowing when to shut up. When you're that close to somebody it's really easy to get pulled into a "hockey dad" type of mentality: you KNOW they can do better, and you make sure to remind them of it constantly. When they fail, you feel as though they've failed you personally or something. How many times have you seen couples fighting at the gym/crag because one is hanging on the rope asking to be lowered while the belayer refuses, saying "no, you can do it!"? I know I've seen it a bunch. I know I've BEEN that guy on the ground, unfortunately a lot more than just once. You may think you're just trying to help push them towards success, but they probably just think you're just being an ass. It usually doesn't end well. If you can get through the bad times though, you'll eventually learn what works and what doesn't. You'll get to know their moods and you'll know when to push them and when to just shut up. You'll also learn their climbing styles and will learn how to give useful beta...when they need it, of course. (This is true of ANY climbing partnership, really, but it's almost as if the honesty of a real relationship allows things to deteriorate much faster). |
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With my gf, it's usually something like: |
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Post her picture, we'll be the judge. |
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fossana wrote: Also, an ATC, while heavier, will last longer than a Reverso.I never heard of anyone wearing out a Reverso, but I've heard people wearing out the retainer cable on the ATC Guide - design flow not a durability issue. I've had my Reverso 3 since they first came out and it's been through the ringer, including a 700-foot fall, and is still going strong. |
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Ray Pinpillage wrote:Post her picture, we'll be the judge.+1 |
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Hey Nicole, |
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GoPro |
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Jon Zucco wrote: Or he might decide that he hates climbing after all and that all climbers are assholes.Or he might figure out that he hates climbing or that some climbers are assholes. I think this more correct like sounding. Hehehe |
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It's expensive, but maybe collaborate with family etc to get that gym membership. And a second to those who suggest you give it a shot too. I'm biased of course, but would hope everyone and anyone who tried it would find it the most awesome, all encompassing activity of mind and body. But it's an activity of partnership and can become a major component of ones life. It's NOT crucial by any means, but pretty neat when you can share that partnership and life passion with your partner in life. (and it keeps you in really good shape and gives you instantly awesome arms and abs!) |
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where is he gonna be climbing? |