Good place to top rope for beginners in Ventura county

My wife and I are new to the sport. We have already been outside a number of times with a hired guide and recently took an anchors class with REI. We have all the gear to setup top rope anchors:

2 x harnesses
1 x 200ft Dynamic 10.2 rope
2 x ATC Belay
1 x Grigri
2 x wiregate biner
shoes
1 x 25ft 7mm cordellete
Chalk bag
1 x 150ft static 11mm rope (for anchor building)
9 x locking biners
helmets

We have been to Stoney Point by ourselves and setup anchor with no issues. Even ran into a group of really experienced climbers and they verified our setup as solid.

My question, is there any good spots within Ventura county to do top roping that will not be too much for a beginner like us? I would ask to go with friends, but none of our friends do this and hiring a guide everytime we go out is not an option (way too expensive).

Welcome to climbing. It sounds like you're starting out the right way. Based on your gear list, I am assuming you are looking for bolted anchors from which you can set up a toprope.

I'm not very familiar with Ventura County proper, but the Gibraltar Rock area north of Santa Barbara has some beginner routes that can be toproped. It's a beautiful spot with easy approaches.

We will definitely check that area out, thanks!

I believe that there are a few routes here that can be top roped. You didn't list what grade you are climbing at but there are a handful of routes that can be top roped here.

mountainproject.com/v/malib…

All of the climbing in Ventura County is in the Ojai Valley and just past it up hwy 33. There are several spots with great, easy TR'ing.

Thanks TheHobbyist and Alex. I would like to think I'm at a 5.7 or limiting out on a 5.8. In the Gym I would limit out on 5.9 but I know there is a big diff between inside and outside. My wife limits out on 5.9 outside. I definitely want to push ourselves so we can get better and eventually graduate into sport \ trad. But also I want to make sure we have good technique so we dont carry bad habbits to the harder stuff, so if that means sticking on a lower grade for a bit longer than I'm really ok with that.

I want to check out Malibu as that sounds like fun. I was also looking at the foot or the hideout in Ojai for top rope, I was just nervous when I keep reading the rock is very soft and to treat all bolts suspect. I'm guessing to backup with a natural anchor or 2 if things look wonky and that should be good enough.

Flippn..... not exactly VC but.

APES WALL in Malibu Creek State Park, the locals are friendly.

I recomend you get the book for climbing in Ventura and Santa Barbara

by Steve Edwards.

We ended going to The Foot in Ojai a couple weeks back and had lots of fun. Took a bit to get the anchor setup (cause we're newbs), and got the rope stuck when tossing it over after getting everything setup (cause we're newbs). Took about 30 minutes to figure out how to get the rope unstuck from the middle of the route without climbing down (glad I had long static rope with me). Ended up having a blast. Looking forward to get more in, unfortunately life has gotten in the way these past 2 weekends.

Kris,

I hope you are able to hook up with someone experienced who can "show you the ropes" on outdoor climbing. You'd learn a lot faster, provided your mentor knows what he's doing.

I wish I knew somebody that climbs, but I dont as most my local friends are potatoes. I would like to find someone, possibly here if someone doesn't mind some newb company.

Hit me up I can show you around: 805.798.0091
-Alex

FlippinKris wrote:I wish I knew somebody that climbs, but I dont as most my local friends are potatoes. I would like to find someone, possibly here if someone doesn't mind some newb company.