learn to climb

mark k

hey
(sorry if this thread shouldnt be here)
I really want to start learning to climb but i live in kilkenny and am doing the leaving c so i cant be going up to dublin every weekend.Im jus wondering if theres any where you can turn up every so often.And if theres any clubs that have outings you can turn up to!?
Also is it expensive to get started!?

cavedave

There is climbing in Ballykeefe Quarry just outside Kilkenny city. If you go there on a nice saturday you can boulder around and usually get talking to a few more experienced climbers. They might be able to help you get more experience.

Evil Phil

The MCI do have a youth program, they might be able to help you too: http://www.mountaineering.ie/youth/viewdetails.asp

peter-pantslez

mark k wrote: »

Also is it expensive to get started!?

if you start out climbing with a club, by doing a course or with an experienced climber all you will probably only need is a harness 80-100 euro, a pair of shoes 80-100 euro and a chalk bag 20 euro and after that you cant start picking up bits of gear a little at a time.

iv never climbed in ballykeefe but heard it good

mark k

thanks.you no of anyone that climbs there?is there a point of getting the gear and trying to learn fromm books and videos

peter-pantslez

mark k wrote: »

trying to learn fromm books and videos

i wouldnt try learning from books and videos you can not be 100% sure that you have copied them properly...and you can not climb on your own either!

if you try going on to www.climbing.ie , they have a forum section over there too and its dedicated to climbing from what i can remember they even have a section for people looking for climbing partners and ask around over there to see if anyone climbs in ballykeffe and see if you can get going from there. or someone might even be able to tell you if there is courses done around the area your in.

they also give a map and list all the areas you can climb in around the country and list some of the details of the climbs.

fergalr

In my opinion, it's actually pretty hard to get into climbing in ireland, unless you have at least one friend that also wants to get into it, or already does it.

Once you have at least one other, it's not too bad, if you're willing to invest a bit of money. You can always buy basic top roping kit, (not too expensive) and go and do an intro course somewhere that'll teach you enough to keep you safe.
For top roping somewhere, say 200euro for harness and shoes, maybe 300 for rope and other bits, courses vary in price...

If you don't already have someone else to climb with, the unfortunate truth is it's not easy to get into, particularly if you're living somewhere fairly remote.
You'll also find that most people (not all) that are already reasonable climbers are fairly reluctant to take beginners out, for a number of reasons, (risk involved, so trust required, also they probably already have climbing buddies, among others...).

If you keep looking for climbing partners and posting about it, you'll hopefully find someone, but could take a while.

mark k

i just got lucky!I was out kayaking with two people who are also in the club and started talking about really wanting to get in to rock climbing and turns out there both big in to their rock climbing and are going to start brining me out when the weather gets a bit better.
thanks for all your help:)

cavedave

i just got lucky!

Great. Let us know how you get on?

peter-pantslez
if you try going on to www.climbing.ie ...

That is a much better idea then my one of just turning up at a quarry and hoping for the best.

peter-pantslez

fergalr wrote: »

You can always buy basic top roping kit

sure you may as well get the whole rack than cause you have to get the guts of one for setting up top roping.

good luck with the climbing mark and keep us posted how you get on!!

mark k

will do!!wont be starting till end of this month!!cant wait.now i can finaly keep climbing rather then all those times bouldering when i had to stop!lol(altho once or twice curiosity got the best of me)!i guess the wait was better then a possable broken neck:)
getting sorted out with shoes tomorrow!
thanks again lads

peter-pantslez

any time mark happy climbing!

fergalr

sure you may as well get the whole rack than cause you have to get the guts of one for setting up top roping.

But in a lot of places you can get away with a lot less for top roping than for leading? ...
Obviously depends where your climbing, but I'm thinking somewhere like dalkey, you could top rope with a rope, few slings and crabs, but you'd need another 500-1000e worth of nuts, quickdraws (and maybe friends too) to lead with...
Maybe you're referring to sport routes? Or talking about places where you need to place nuts and other passive pro to setup top rope anchors?

Mark, great to hear you got sorted out - nice one, enjoy the climbing - hopefully we'll get a nice summer too :-)