looking for consistent partners at Gunks

I'm looking for consistent partners at Gunks this summer, and am available to mostly weekends. I have rope and double rack and driving from NJ. My goal is to be able to lead 9's by end of the summer. I'll be up there this weekend. Drop me a line!

I'm going to be heading up this weekend if you're interested. I'll send you a PM. 

+1

Not sure if helpful (can’t promise consistency) but I am local and available some wknds this summer, though often for partial days (either AM or PM). 

Jared Northwrote:

Not sure if helpful (can’t promise consistency) but I am local and available some wknds this summer, though often for partial days (either AM or PM). 

Sounds good! I lead up to 6's currently, and breaking some 7's. I'll hit you up when I'm up there next time

I'm new to climbing, joined the Cliffs Gowanus a few weeks ago and am signed up for the EMS beginning outdoor class on the 19th of this month.  I'm trying to soak up as much knowledge as I can and I'm excited to get outdoors.  I'm unsure how to proceed after the beginners class, so just trying to meet people and keep learning/climbing.  I live in Brooklyn and am down to go to the Gunks any free weekend I have from here until it's too cold to climb.

Torin Swrote:

I'm new to climbing, joined the Cliffs Gowanus a few weeks ago and am signed up for the EMS beginning outdoor class on the 19th of this month.  I'm trying to soak up as much knowledge as I can and I'm excited to get outdoors.  I'm unsure how to proceed after the beginners class, so just trying to meet people and keep learning/climbing.  I live in Brooklyn and am down to go to the Gunks any free weekend I have from here until it's too cold to climb.

Thanks for hitting me up! You need to gain a bit more experience to follow trad at Gunks. Imo, you should be able to onsight 10+/11- routes indoor before attempting outdoor routes. You will enjoy it more when you don't need to focus on basic climbing movements. For outdoor, you can start learning anchor building course, and rig rappel, and lead belay.

B Uwrote:

Thanks for hitting me up! You need to gain a bit more experience to follow trad at Gunks. Imo, you should be able to onsight 10+/11- routes indoor before attempting outdoor routes. You will enjoy it more when you don't need to focus on basic climbing movements. For outdoor, you can start learning anchor building course, and rig rappel, and lead belay.

Thanks for the advice, makes a lot of sense!  Not sure how accurate the gyms ratings are but I'm working on 5.11s right now.  I hesitate to even bring that up because I have a feeling outdoor is so vastly different.  Going to see how this EMS course goes, just not sure where to go from there if I love it (I have a feeling I will.)

B Uwrote:

You need to gain a bit more experience to follow trad at Gunks. Imo, you should be able to onsight 10+/11- routes indoor before attempting outdoor routes. 

You don't need any experience to follow easy trad routes... provided you're with an experienced leader who can check/verify everything independently, provide clear instructions, and is comfortable with the belay you can give them.

B U wrote:

For outdoor, you can start learning anchor building course, and rig rappel, and lead belay.

Anchor building is the last thing a new climber needs to learn, if their aim is to join an experienced climber/group. And rigging rappels is something that can be done entirely supervised (or for you) by the leader. The three things they need to be able do on their first trip out is follow commands, clean gear, and give a belay. If they're part of a party of three, they don't even need those last two skills to start.

Chad Silvawrote:

You don't need any experience to follow easy trad routes... provided you're with an experienced leader who can check/verify everything independently, provide clear instructions, and is comfortable with the belay you can give them.

Anchor building is the last thing a new climber needs to learn, if their aim is to join an experienced climber/group. And rigging rappels is something that can be done entirely supervised (or for you) by the leader. The three things they need to be able do on their first trip out is follow commands, clean gear, and give a belay. If they're part of a party of three, they don't even need those last two skills to start.

What he said!  I had a newer climber with me the other day.  He followed me up 8 pitches and never had repelled before.  I ridged him up before I repelled.  When I got off reppel he came down and I stood ready to give a fireman belay

By the end of the day he was removing tri cams and repelling like a pro!  I wish I had that type of guidance when I started.  I was self taught and did some really stupid things at the beginning lol .

Anchor building will come with time, a follower just needs to break them down.

I think if one just shows up to climb without knowledge, gears and rope and expect a stranger to instruct, and show them everything. That is NOT partnership, that's more  like a free guide or even a mentor. You need to bring something to the table.

Agree with you on anchor building, that's a bit overkill. If it's a friend, that's a different story. I don't mind teaching, but not a complete stranger. Climbing is risky enough, it's unnecessary to bring newbies on multi pitch w/o them have basic climbing fundamental etc ... 

That's just me. Some people are a little bit more risk tolerance than others. If you're a total newbie, would you risk your life and trust someone to show you everything? Should you learn enough to be able to help yourself and understand risks better? That's just my 2 cents. 

B Uwrote:

I think if one just shows up to climb without knowledge, gears and rope and expect a stranger to instruct, and show them everything. That is NOT partnership, that's more  like a free guide or even a mentor. You need to bring something to the table.

Agree with you on anchor building, that's a bit overkill. If it's a friend, that's a different story. I don't mind teaching, but not a complete stranger. Climbing is risky enough, it's unnecessary to bring newbies on multi pitch w/o them have basic climbing fundamental etc ... 

That's just me. Some people are a little bit more risk tolerance than others. If you're a total newbie, would you risk your life and trust someone to show you everything? Should you learn enough to be able to help yourself and understand risks better? That's just my 2 cents. 

They’re bringing a belay to the table!  I think you're forgetting what its like to be new, I struggled to find people to climb with when I started so Im always willing to bring a new person out. Ive just belayed some and not even climbed. No they shouldn't just show up at the crag and expect a free guide but posting on here, why not? 

Torin Swrote:

I'm new to climbing, joined the Cliffs Gowanus a few weeks ago and am signed up for the EMS beginning outdoor class on the 19th of this month.  I'm trying to soak up as much knowledge as I can and I'm excited to get outdoors.  I'm unsure how to proceed after the beginners class, so just trying to meet people and keep learning/climbing.  I live in Brooklyn and am down to go to the Gunks any free weekend I have from here until it's too cold to climb.

The only reason I didn't invite you to join us in the gunk is because I don't plan on going there on the weekends.  This will be my first time up there but I hear its a bit busy so my plan is to climb on the weekdays, till school starts.  If you wanted to make a trip to CT on the weekends Id take you out.  Ill be here for the next two weeks, then I have to return to NH for a Wilderness first aid class and then back to work