UKC

Hey, ive only ever climbed once before with school and i loved it (even thought it was just a tiny beginners indoor wall), but me and my friend would love to learn to climb outside. We dont really know where to start, and if there are courses and gradings that we have to go through. Also we are pretty worried about not being physically strong enough! i scuba dive regulary so i dont know if that would help, but if anyine could help us out with some advice i'd appreciate it.

Thank you!
Charlie

In reply to Charlottemarie_15: if u visit ukc database u can search for you nearest wall, go on their website, contact em and ask about their courses.

There is no grading you have to go through the crags mountains where ever are for everone. hope this helps!!!

Mike

PS. whereabouts u live?

In reply to Charlottemarie_15:

i live in blackpool, lancashire, i dont know if there is anything decent around here, is gear expensive?

cheers for the advice!

In reply to Charlottemarie_15:

I don't know if there's much in Blackpool, may well be an indoor wall, but I know WestView Leisure Centre in Preston is pretty good and probably worth a visit for a lesson see how you like it.

In reply to Charlottemarie_15:

Get in touch with the Fylde Mountaineering Club, they are based near you and are a top climbing club.

http://www.fyldemountaineeringclub.org/index.php

In reply to Charlottemarie_15:

Get in touch with Wushu off here, he's from Blackpool and he's a Yoof too.

In reply to Charlottemarie_15: if you wanna get some gear get some rock boots and chalk (bag) and a harness and some karabiners for a good start. just talk to loads of different climbers to see if they can teach you anything. Indoor walls are a good way of srarting learn how to belay, tie knots and try out your strength and stamina by starting on easy stuff (indoors = lowest numbers are easiest) poeple who run indoor walls are ususally so bored they will teach you loads for free.
get a guide book for your local area (trough a outdoor shop) this has the grades of different climbs) go to differenent venues and spark up convos bout climbing. do a beginers outdoor climbing course through someone like Plas y Brenin (EXPENSIVE tho).

Good luck with your quest and im sure if you wanna do it you'll find a way.

In reply to 2pints: What do you mean...you're a youth. Youth.

In reply to Charlottemarie_15: Ello, well if you contact blackpool sports centre they run climbing courses that set you up for climbing, there also are the large outdoor 20m climbing towers near the football stadium and of course west view leisure centre. Hope this helps.

aww thanks guys for all your help....cant wait to start climbing now! i've been reading up and everything!

In reply to Charlottemarie_15: Rock Climbing Essential skills and techniques By Libby Peter, try and get it it will help alot!

In reply to Charlottemarie_15: And if you are feeling very stupid you could hook up with these guys

http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?n=197486

In reply to nolo: also ill send an email with my number on so if u ever want someone to come climb im only sorta down the road

In reply to nolo: awww cheers that'd b great! ive got that book btw! how weirds that...i was really excited and wanted to read about it....im a bit of a geek lol

In reply to Glyn Jones: i think ill leave those guys lol...they're on a mission of their own.....

In reply to Charlottemarie_15: lol, u contacted ur local wall or club yet?

In reply to nolo: http://www.onlineclimbingcoach.blogspot.com/

In reply to nolo: that websites good...yeah i got in touch with blackpool sports centre, who sed the next course is on the 11/09..which we are going too! my friend got knocked off her bike recently on a roundabout so we're hoping her ankle is ok, but its already nearly healed so all is looking good! is preston climbing centre any good? is blackpool actually?lol

In reply to Charlottemarie_15: have you been on their website? sometimes there is a guestbook or even on the UKC walls database there is a small reveiw type thing.

Mike

In reply to nolo: on church street there is an outdoor shop

In reply to nolo: and about gear prices, harness around £40 for a decent one but u can get ones for about 30 - 35, em climbing shoes around 40-50 quid chalk 3 squid and a chalk bag i think around 15 but i could be wrong.

Mike

In reply to Charlottemarie_15: Well if your doing the blackpool course, just make sure your bring some like pump type shoes that aren't too bulky, this will help you climb better, Oh and depending on how old you are if your like 16 you might aswel do the adult course since you learn more and don't get harassed by wee kids.

In reply to nolo: Blackpool wall is good to learn about the basics of climbing and for bouldering, but once you progress past that you may prefer preston.

In reply to Charlottemarie_15: wicked....have you bought gear from there? ill check it out....do u know the website for blackpool sports centre...i cant find it anywhere....

In reply to wushu: well im 18 so i think i'd prefer the adult class!

In reply to Charlottemarie_15: cant find website. and no i aint just looked on ukc map 4 ya

In reply to Charlottemarie_15: Fair enough, erm i don't actually think they have a website! And the shop on church street is called The alpine centre, its quite expensive, you'd probably be better going to rock and run in ambleside!

In reply to wushu: hi, where do you live, me and my mate climb outdoors around the bolton area if you could get up there ???

In reply to jamesb103motox: I'm from Blackpool aswel, erm probably this time next year! will have a car then.

sometimes people who are training to be outdoor instructors offer free stuff so they can build up their log book as part of their qualifications. keep an eye on the forums.

Also it might be a bit late but have a look at this! http://www.thebmc.co.uk/event_det.asp?event_id=1083