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Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

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Beginner Climbing Questions From Someone Training

Benehcroft

3-Jun-2026
2:11:52 AM

Hi everyone, I’ve been climbing indoors for a few months and recently started looking into outdoor climbing around Victoria. I’m still learning the basics of gear, safety, and route reading, so I’d love some advice from more experienced climbers here.

What are the best beginner friendly outdoor spots near Melbourne? Also, are there any common mistakes new outdoor climbers should avoid on their first few trips?

Thanks in advance, looking forward to learning more from the community.

[Moderator edit: spam link that was inserted by the user several hours after they made this initial post has now been deleted, and their registration to this site disabled because they are a spammer with a positive record on SFS, along with our first hand experience of their work here.
I have left the initial post because it received a legitimate response, but spammer Benehcroft is no longer able to post on this forum.]

[2nd Moderator edit: I’m sorry to see the legitimate response by one of our long term forum members has now been deleted by them.
Fair enough I suppose, as my experiment to see how the spammer thing would turn out wasn’t consulted with them, and spammers don’t legitimise any oxygen space, time or effort from others on Forum Sites!]

IdratherbeclimbingM9

5-Jun-2026
8:26:05 PM

Hmm. That was a pretty elaborate attempt to flog some game site, and as it turns out for nil return must be disheartening for them thanks to the Moderators of this site.

Hey Mr Gribble, while lurking I saw your response on this thread and was glad of that because I was aware of the Chocky 24 years anniversary coming up (at the time), and it let me know that there are still some here who are prepared to share their experiences and take the time to help others. Thanks for doing so.

MisterGribble

6-Jun-2026
12:21:11 AM

It was merely by chance I checked into Chocky after quite a while and in good faith responded to the post. It was only after the link to the crappy game was added (by Blaise in San Jose California) that I realised this was a phishing expedition and thus withdrew my response.

Chocky now seems to have been superseded by various FB, Instagram and TikTok groups so alas I see it joining 'Rock' and 'Thrutch' in the swelling ranks of climbing media we look back upon, but I guess that's the way of the world.
At the end of the day getting out and doing it is the most important thing, deeds not words !.

capt_planit

7-Jun-2026
8:03:54 PM

Nice to see M9 and the Gribble, where is ODH? Chocky is still a great resource (I review knot-tying here every so often). Too bad the community has schismed but happy 24th Chockstone, and thanks for the advice and knowledge.

Dalai

11-Jun-2026
5:45:04 AM

On 6-Jun-2026 MisterGribble wrote:
>It was merely by chance I checked into Chocky after quite a while and in
>good faith responded to the post. It was only after the link to the crappy
>game was added (by Blaise in San Jose California) that I realised this
>was a phishing expedition and thus withdrew my response.
>
>Chocky now seems to have been superseded by various FB, Instagram and
>TikTok groups so alas I see it joining 'Rock' and 'Thrutch' in the swelling
>ranks of climbing media we look back upon, but I guess that's the way of
>the world.

ODH - Damian is still doing his thing, just on FB these days...

Miguel75

12-Jun-2026
8:03:41 AM

Happy 24th anniversary Chockstone:)

There are 6 messages in this topic.