UKC

Hello,

Just a simple question before i start going outdoors, What equipment will i need for outdoors sport climbing? so far i have the following equipment:

40m rope (is this long enough?)
harness
grigri
10 quickdraws (is this enough?)
sling
karabina
climbing shoes

Have i missed anything before i start climbing outdoors?
and also i am new to the forum, just wondering are there any books out there which indicate which routes are which when i arrive at a crag?

Any help is appreciated
Thanks

In reply to willz17:

You need a crag at which you can practice sport climbing! There are guidebooks for every part of the UK, but the UK in general doesn't have much good sport climbing, especially in the loser grades. You might find yourself limited as to what you can do if you intend to stick to sport climbing. Trad is much less restrictive.

Also you don't need a gri-gri specifically - any belay device will do, and will almost certainly be cheaper

In reply to willz17:

Sounds about right. The length of rope and amount of quick draws will depend on the route but that's fine for lots of stuff. Cowstail for the top of the climb would be a good addition.

The books are called guide books, there will be one (or two) that relate to a particular area of climbing. Climbers Club and Rockfax are some of the big guidebook producers, so try their websites and see if they have the guide book you need.

Have fun!

In reply to willz17:

Thanks for all your replies, much appreciated, however i am struggling to find a guidebook which is for localised areas such as cardiff? any suggestions? i mean i dont want to show up at a crag not knowing what i am climbing ^^ atm my level outdoors is about 6a as i have been sport climbing before.

Let me know
Thanks

In reply to willz17: There is a downloadable guide to Gower Sports climbs on the Rockfax website which are not too far away (only a few easy lines though). Also some Sports routes are included in the Gower and South East Wales guide by the South Wales Mountaineering Club, the guide is short on photo topos, a little dated and not easy to use if you are unfamiliar with the crags.
Better and more up to date information can be found on the SWMC route database:
http://www.southwalesmountaineering.org.uk/g_book/index.php/South_Wales_Mou...
This might be a good place to start:
http://www.southwalesmountaineering.org.uk/g_book/index.php/Gilwern_Hill_-_...
Take care and have fun!

In reply to tehmarks:
the UK in general doesn't have much good sport climbing, especially in the loser grades.

Everyone has to start somewhere! Wicked typo, I presume.

In reply to willz17:

Also try this site: http://www.sportsclimbs.co.uk/

Gilwern was mentioned above. I spent an enjoyable if cool morning there yesterday. There are some good topos for Gilwern at the above site.

David

In reply to willz17:

I'd repeat the advise not to just ignore trad climbing, which will open up a lot more to you in the UK (all the good stuff!). If you don't know anyone near you who trad climbs, you could always look for a partner on here - there are often people who are willing to take you out, or you could look for a local climbing club.

Also, you might fancy a helmet and chalkbag.

In reply to willz17:

http://www.sportsclimbs.co.uk/ covers lots of sport climbing in South wales.

Also the http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/map/ search facility on here will list crags by climbing. I just save the page to my smart phone and use it at the crag.

60m rope will open up lots more climbing for you. A Clipstick will give the confidence to work routes you think are above your grade. Bail out bolts/Maillons will also help if you get stuck on a route without a clipstick http://www.cragxclimbing.com/climbing-gear/karabinersquickdraws/maillons-c-... you can bailout without leaving an expensive draw in situ. You can get cheaper Maillons but they wont be certified.

In reply to FiendishMcButton:

Oh if you start doing longer routes you may need to get up to 15 Draws.

In reply to The Ivanator:
I take it you meant LOWER grades?!

In reply to The Ivanator: second that the Gower and South East Wales guide is a pain in the butt.

In reply to The Ivanator and Dave 88:

Whoops! Lower grades is indeed what I meant.

In reply to willz17: Two small screw gates another 2 foot sling. Get a 60m rope chalk bag, chalk.