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Beginner climber wanting to try the outdoors. where to start?

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 thomas.innes 14 Jul 2022

Hello,

I have recently taken up climbing (about 2 months ago) and currently climb indoors 1/2 times a week. I enjoy it a lot and have bought a harness and climbing shoes recently.  I am only able to climb about 5+/6a level, i have attempted 6b's but couldnt do all of them. I am doing an intro to lead climbing course soon. I am relatively active and have always loved the outdoors. I have skied and snowboarded since i was 4, I am currently trying to hike 50 munros this year and the challenge of In Pin actually got me interested in climbing. I have a couple of friends who like me dont climb often who come to the climbing centre with me. I am just wondering how someone like myself can learn to climb outdoors. I cant seem to find a group near me (in Stirling) other than the University and im not sure i can join that without studying there. I would like to attempt some local crags in the outdoors rather than just toproping in the gym. Any advice is greatly appreciated

 Baggie 14 Jul 2022
In reply to thomas.innes:

I'd recommend joining a club. There'll be folk in the club climbing regularly both outdoors and indoors. The Ochil mountaineering club are local and active.  https://www.ochils.com/

Alternatively the Perth mountaineering club may be more convenient if you are further east. https://www.perthmountaineering-club.co.uk

 StuDoig 15 Jul 2022
In reply to thomas.innes:

As Baggie above suggests a club would be a good place to meet other climbers and will have meets etc elsewhere that will get you out and about ouside your local area.

Mountaineering Scotland have a club finder page to help here:

https://www.mountaineering.scot/find-a-club

You could also have a look for Facebook groups that cover your area (e.g. NE outcrops in my area).

You could also go down the instruction route - Glenmore lodge do indoor to outdoor climbing courses and other intro style courses which are supposed to be excellent.  If you've got a couple of mates also interested you could look for a local instructor as well for a day or twos instruction on how to climb safely outdoors as well.

Cheers,

Stu

 Gordonbp 15 Jul 2022
In reply to thomas.innes:

With regard to clubs, you could try this : (Not that I'm biased....!)

https://www.glasgowjmcs.org.uk/introduction.php

OP thomas.innes 15 Jul 2022
In reply to thomas.innes:

Thanks for all the advice i will look into JMCS Glasgow and the Ochils club.

 Gordonbp 15 Jul 2022
In reply to thomas.innes:

it's not just Glasgow, there's Edinburgh and Lochaber sections as well, if you're nearer those places!

And of course you'd be welcome at a JMCS London Section meet as a member of any of those....

Post edited at 15:42
OP thomas.innes 15 Jul 2022
In reply to Gordonbp:

Im in Dunblane so im a trig point between glasgow perth and edinburgh but glasgow is more "local" if that makes sense

 GrantM 16 Jul 2022
In reply to thomas.innes:

https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/benny_beg-1958/

Bennybeg is a good beginner sport venue that's not too far, if you head up you can do low level traverses to get a feel for the rock and there are ground level rings to practise lower-offs. Once you're comfortable with indoor lead climbing and belaying it might be worth a look.

 Rockatt 16 Jul 2022
In reply to thomas.innes:

Hi I stay in Doune and have done a wee bit of climbing outdoors. I'd be happy to meet up indoors until you get happy lead climbing then could head to somewhere like Benny Beg for some sport climbing. Cheers Mike. 

 ScottA10 18 Jul 2022
In reply to thomas.innes:

Relatively new to climbing myself and only done bouldering so far. 

If you're around Glasgow area and fancy some indoor/outdoor bouldering give us a shout!

I haven't ventured far from Glasgow but there are a few crags around Stirling area (Wolfcrag Quarry) that I want to try out!

Instagram - Scott.Climbing

OP thomas.innes 18 Jul 2022
In reply to Rockatt:

Thanks. Im doing a lead climbing course a the start of August then will hopefully get into it a bit more. Benny beg looks good from what ive just looked at.

OP thomas.innes 18 Jul 2022
In reply to ScottA10:

Will do. I have only really been too glasgow climbing centre but looking to try the other ones out in glasgow. 

As i have otherwise said on the thread going to try learn lead climbing then will be sure to hit you up.


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