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Topic Date User

Beginners Crags? 9-Sep-2013 At 3:32:59 PM MichaelOR

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The biggest issue I had with my daughter and her friends climbing when younger was always the lowering off. Some suggestions from experience:
I would start with short easy climbs/boulders that they can top out and walk off easily. That gets the climbing interest and confidence up. These don't need to be in a Guidebook.

Then I would set up a toprope on a very short vertical face as a swing to play on. Not climbing the face all the way to the top. Lowering is all about confidence.... letting go. Trusting the rope and belayer etc.

Then once they are happier lowering off, find a short wall to climb up and lower off. Nothing puts them off more than a fear of lowering off when I get higher.

When beginning with kids, it must be fun and about getting up something. Let them ask for something more challenging when they're ready.