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Topic Date User

looking for instruction 19-Nov-2008 At 8:42:54 AM adrian

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The best thing I did when I wanted to start climbing outdoors was pay a guide to teach me top-rope setups. I easily found someone who was happy to base it from Melbourne on a day that suited me. It cost me a few hundred dollars for a day one-on-one training where they did nothing but teach me anchor setups (and a few self-rescue skills at the end of the day, as we had some spare time). I'd read some books prior to that day on anchor setups, so understood the theory behind what I was being taught.

I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm, but trusting your instincts may not be a great way to stay alive if you're depending on other people's instruction. You may not get a chance to go and seek a different opinion...

Also, admitting that you can't belay well with a gri-gri is not going to inspire people's confidence in you belaying them. I admire that you're willing to admit this, but perhaps a little more practice is in order until you are comfortable using all kinds of belay devices.