I am brand new to Knoxville, TN and brand new to climbing. I mean REALLY new to it. I have been told that a good way to learn and to find mentors is by going to a climbing gym, but I have read some not-so-great things about The Climbing Center here.
Any advice on where/how to start? Anything at all will help!
Look for partner searches, climber meet ups and climbing events in your area. Of course, be honest about your experience. Go to a popular climbing area with your harness, some fresh baked cookies, and beer, talk to some folks and eventually some nice people will let you take a ride on their top rope. Go bouldering and gain mileage on V0's. Look at climbing magazines and web-sites. Take climbing courses or hire a guide for a day and drill them with Q's. You'll eventually find other motivated people to share the experience. Most of the older trad guys are excellent teachers and will climb easy/moderate routes all day long. Some of the climbing community may be chasing grades or won't know about self-rescue. Read Freedom of the Hills.
Unless you're a student and can go to UT's gym, Riversports is the only option right now for gym climbing in Knoxville. It's an older and smaller gym but the routes are fun and the people that work there are friendly and helpful and for a beginner that's about all you need in a gym. All the regulars at the gym are pretty serious about climbing and are just as helpful as the staff. My husband and I are relatively new to the climbing scene, been at it about two years, but we try to get in there about 3-4 times a week, usually Monday's, Wednesdays and Fridays. If you're ever looking for someone to get you comfortable climbing feel free to hang out with us
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