UKC

Pretty new to climbing, had x 2 intro sessions in Lancaster and Manchester.

Looking to get into indoor climbing initially and looking for both advice and people!

Done a little outdoor stuff (via ferrata and ghyll scrambling) and loads of hill walking in Lakes etc.

Long term would love to gain skills and confidence to climb outdoors - currently no kit of my own so looking to build over time though.

Any advice on where to start, how to meet people, buy correct kit, and join groups or clubs for regular meet ups would be hugely appreciated!

Cheers

Chris
(34 yo male, based nr Chorley, Lancs)

In reply to ChrisM82:

Hi Chris,

I'd suggest you find your local wall, sign up and find out if they have any sessions designed to meet others and climb.

Kit wise for indoors, harness, belay device, shoes and a chalk bag and you are sorted. Just go into a decent outdoor shop and try a few on, go-outdoors is good if you want a good selection fairly cheap.

I'm sure when you start to meet up with others at the local wall you will find out about the best place to start outdoors, ideally with someone else experienced.

In reply to ChrisM82:

Hi Chris

We (St Helens Mountaineering Club) hold club meets at the North West Face - Warrington every Monday from 7ish

Good bunch of people of varying skill/experience.

If you come on down, ask one of the centre staff to point you in direction of St Helens members.

Won't be there myself - resting an injury.

Cheers

In reply to ChrisM82:

Hi Chris,
Lancs Climbing & Caving club is a friendly and very active club with members all over Lancs and further afield, but mainly centred round Bolton - Preston - Blackburn.
There is a busy Facebook group you can join without being a club member. Ad hoc meets in winter (indoors mid week) are publicised there and you could reply asking to meet up and get into the action that way.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/LCandCC/
You might also want to look at the website.
http://lancashireclimbingandcavingclub.co.uk/

In reply to ChrisM82:

If you haven't already check out the wall in Preston, very good
http://www.preston.gov.uk/yourservices/sport-and-leisure-centres/climbing/c...

In reply to ChrisM82:

Try going to Boulder uk you, you'll meet loads of friendly folk there 👍

In reply to ChrisM82:

Join a club. Preston MC, Fylde MC, Lancs Caving and Climbing, Lancashire Mountaineering Club. All hang out at Westview and all are friendly. However all other things being equal, the Lancashire MC is the best for a beginner as they explicitly state they will teach and have a free programme called Progression to Rock to get you from where you are, to a mountain multi pitch, if thats what you want. http://lancsmc.org/lmc/membership/