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Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

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Gym climbing difficult tonight 8-Sep-2005 At 9:19:45 AM dr_fil_good

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Agreed, better technique builds confidence, more experience on rope builds confidence, and once you are confident with top roping, now you have to go out and feel unconfident leading ;-) Rope sports are probably the best character building I've done.

Spend time talking to the regulars and the old school guys - don't think you're smarter than them because you've read 'Freedom of the Hills' or the entire 'Falcon Guide' collection - please don't get defensive and let what people say go in one ear and out the other - listen to what they have to say, try what they teach you - 9/10 you won't be able to do it straight off but keep trying, give it a couple weeks and then it'll all fall into place.

Climb more frequently - you would be surprised at how quickly both technique and confidence build!!! Watch other climbers, learn about basic techniques such as the layback, side pull, crimp, etc. and remember to climb with your legs as much as you can trying to only rely on your hands as balance (that'll take a while).

Once again, you'd be surprised how quickly it all happens - it's this incredibly curvie exponential curve!!!

As for "how did you start out" - I was dumb enough to spend my first two years in the gym only going outdoors when hooking up with mates in Sydney who are in a caving club I'm involved in. Now I climb mostly rock and LOVE it! Follow Niel's advice, get out onto the rock ASAP!!!!

Guaranteed in three months time you'll look back at this post and blush, give a little chortle, and ask yourselt "that was me?!?" but who cares, that's what these forums are great for, information.
Flip
~ just another newb on the rock ~