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General Climbing Discussion

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help buying climbing equipment

Trogdor

18-Mar-2007
1:21:57 PM

Hello, I am totally brand spanking new to the world of rock climbing, and I was wondering if anyone could help me with buying climbing equipment, new or used.

What kind of things do I need for rock climbing, other than shoes and harness? Which brands/types are good shoes and harnesses? string/velcro? also, what else should I be buying? how much would I be investing?

Appreciate all the help I can get, thanks! :)

TLockwood

18-Mar-2007
1:30:13 PM

On 18/03/2007 Trogdor wrote:
other than shoes and harness?

a helmet should be a good start also, as well as a screw gate biner, belay/abseil device and a nut key

matt

18-Mar-2007
2:08:36 PM

few litres of water if your anything like me... half way up and thirsty as hell...

patto

18-Mar-2007
3:01:34 PM

The typical rack of equipment for a rock climber is often over $2000 new. But this isn't where you start.

The most important thing start rock climbing is to have a friend or paid guide to help you with the basics. Some have taught themselves from books and other resources but this is definately not the recommended way. There are various clubs around that can help you get started such as the VCC or university clubs. If you don't join a club the next best place to start is probably an indoor gym.

The only equipment you need as a beginner is a harness, shoes, a belay device and a helmet.

brat

19-Mar-2007
8:06:49 AM

And a biner!

It's probably easier to climb at a gym until you get to know the gear, then buy new, otherwise you may get "advised" by some counter jockey to buy something unsuitable or the secondhand bargain may be past it's use by date, particularly on ebay!

Same goes with a rack, unless you have climbed enough to know what/how/where something is used for don't buy it! There's plenty of people looking for belayers....sorry, climbing partners to get you out on the rock, this forum is a good place to start!

Pei

19-Mar-2007
12:11:34 PM

And maybe a chalkbag and some chalk will be useful too at some point.

My first pair of rock shoes were Scarpa helixes which were pretty good as a beginner shoe, I still have them and like to use them on easy trad routes, so I can recommend them. I think the La Sportiva Cliffs (it's a blue shoe) if they still make them was a similar type entry shoe. Actually I'm not really sure what kind of shoes they've got on offer nowadays at the shops, having accumulated enough pairs for myself to last a while :). Hmm laces vs velcro - laces can give you that slightly more custom fit and is less likely to come undone, velcro is much easier to take shoes on and off, especially if you're indoor climbing and you'll be taking your shoes on and off all the time between climbs.

nmonteith

19-Mar-2007
12:23:29 PM

velcro sucks on crack routes but is a godsend when bouldering!It really depends on what you think you'll
end up doing.

patto

19-Mar-2007
12:31:51 PM

On 19/03/2007 nmonteith wrote:
>velcro sucks on crack routes but is a godsend when bouldering!It really
>depends on what you think you'll
>end up doing.

Lol i get it now. He was talking about shoes! When the original poster said string & velcro I was like WTF!? Velcro and string wont keep you attach to a cliff very well!

Doh!

westie

19-Mar-2007
3:09:16 PM

Oh are you gonna be broke.

If you decide to follow this sport and it becomes an obsession than the sky is the limit. You'll start with a couple of pieces then decide outdoors looks fun. Its off to the store and you'll need a rope, cams, nuts, chocks, biners, draws, slings, cordelette, chalk, double ropes, guidebooks and maps, hey that dvd looks cool... etc etc until you realise you complulsively hoard and cover gear. And then you exhaust your local crags and hey! there's a big f--- off rock over there and shit look at Yosemite and Patagonia and Pakistan etc... plane trips, accomodation, petrol, time off work, physio, medical expenses.

Sorry. got carried away.

you can put a price on it but you won't stick to it.

dalai

19-Mar-2007
3:12:01 PM

Well he has Yosemite covered, Trogdor can drive there from Toronto ;-)

TLockwood

19-Mar-2007
6:20:22 PM

On 19/03/2007 Pei wrote:
>And maybe a chalkbag and some chalk will be useful too at some point.
>

u dont NEED chalk, u just will probably be peer pressured into it. then u will want and probably need it because you cant climb without it, IMO

Trogdor

20-Mar-2007
8:27:51 AM

wow! many thanks to all your replies. Certainly a lot more and quicker replies here than on gapyear.com where I'm looking for travelmates. :P

Thanks for all your advices--I'll definately heed them when I'm buying my shoes w/ laces, harness and helmet. :)

stuart

20-Mar-2007
10:32:06 AM

Please note, Trogdor, that rock-climbing is a burnination-free activity.

Arrowed!

Fish Boy

20-Mar-2007
11:17:07 AM

Go away.

Trogdor

20-Mar-2007
1:39:54 PM

haha. I figure since I'm used to the outdoors, and got beefy arms, I can be good at climbing...in the night!! :D

tmarsh

20-Mar-2007
2:38:30 PM

On 20/03/2007 stuart wrote:
>Please note, Trogdor, that rock-climbing is a burnination-free activity.

You silly, silly British man.

There are 16 messages in this topic.