Indoor Climbing

[Weedy]

Am looking to take this up as a hobby this summer with a view to eventually getting good enough to go on a climbing holiday.

Anyone know anywhere in East Anglia that does novice training courses, where they are etc?

Also, anything I should know about climbing in general (apart from the fact that it's hard work!)?

Thanks,

Weedy
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OWNED: 2008 Aprilia Pegaso Strada CURRENT: Bikeless :'(

[feef]

Where abouts in East Anglia?

There's a climbing wall in the Kelsey Kerridge center in cambridge.. not sure if they do courses there, but it's more of a 'bouldering' wall, so good for working on technique without getting too high, or too dangerous.

the Mepal outdoor center does courses, but I've never been, and have no idea what's there..

There's also the wall in the Xscape in Milton Keynes, but that's expensive.

a
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[Weedy]

I'm in North Norfolk, near Kings Lynn.

Got told about the Xscape centre today by a customer, expensive but apparently they do lessons/courses

What's the Mepal Outdoor Centre? Where is it?
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[feef]

https://www.mepal.co.uk/OutDoor_Activities/Climbing_and_Archery/Climbing_Coaching_Beginners_(Adult).html

big outdoor sports center..

can't remember where exactly it is.. somewhere north of CAmbridge.

a
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[Weedy]

Ooh, thanks I think I might check that out...It's a bit of a ride, but it looks pretty decent
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[feef]

if you start doing it.. gimme a shout.. I need an excuse to start climbing again.. not been for ages, and I really want to keep at it.

a
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[Weedy]

Will do, I'll be waiting until I've got my bike so I can get to the places, but Ely (where that huge centre is) is only about 30mins away from me, so

It'd be good to have a climbing buddy!!

They don't provide equpiment on those instruction evenings, so could you recommed the basic kit I'll need (willing to pay out, but don't wanna spend mega bucks!!)

Thanks
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OWNED: 2008 Aprilia Pegaso Strada CURRENT: Bikeless :'(

[fredsredhat]

i used to do a lot of climbing. It's real good fun. Soon as you get confident with the indoor stuff get outside in the sunshine. I have a load of stuff i could sell (i cant climb anymore due to injury) I have petzl alpine (adjustable) harness, size M to XL. Size 10 Decathlon boots and the carabina and belay device.

[Weedy]

I can't wait to get climbing outside in the sun Found a company that do climbing holidays to Morocco and Spain Like the look of them a lot!

[Pte1643]

Haven't been climbing since I was in the cadets (and that's a long time).

Excellent fun though.

Problem is, it's a little hard to keep at it regular when you live in East Anglia (I do too), because there's NO bleedin' hills.

[fredsredhat]

sorry. The harness is the thing that straps around your waist and keeps you attached to the rope. the carabina is the clip that attaches the rope to your harness. the belay device is the thing that clips to your harness when you are on the ground and your mate is on the wall, you control his/her rope feed ie ie how fast you lower them to the floor. Boots are the things that go on the end of your legs

[Weedy]

Ahhh, I always wondered what boots are

That sheds some light on things (belays, caribina's etc) thanks for that
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[feef]

If you want make a trip into Cambridge, there's a good climbing shop there, and I can help advise on kit.

I used to work for a mountaineering specialist in Glasgow, and have plenty of experience in sorting out stuff for newbies

a
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[Weedy]

That'd be cool feef Like I say, it'll probably be autumn now before I can afford to get into it because I wanna get my DAS and everything done, but I shall definately give you a shout when the time comes!

Thanks again
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[Annabella]

The most important bit of kit is the harness, and there is only one way to get a 'good' one. In the same way as people can recommend helmet makes, the only way to really know is to try them. Go to a decent shop and dangle from as many as you can

I'm quite small and struggled to find a harness that was not only small enough, but comfortable enough for a lady. I ended up buying a Petz Corax, which appears to have changed on their website, it's a universal harness, but there are far more ladies specific products available now than when I was buying.

The only other thing that is really worth spending a bit of time researching is your belay device. Because I was going to be belaying someone twice my weight this was so important. Most people plump for the standard figure of 8 jobbie,
https://www.gear-zone.co.uk/eshop/products/clog_lw_fig8.jpg
which is fine, but I really struggled holding my buddie's weight on it.

I got one of these boys:
https://www.gear-zone.co.uk/eshop/products/wcc_vc.jpg
A Wild Country Variable Controlled, it really helped me to control the descent speed a lot better (though not the first 2 metres as I would shoot up in the air!)
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[feef]

[Weedy]

Can anyone recommed a website/magazine where I can read about what all these terms (belays etc) mean?!

I'd find it much easier to understand if I knew exactly what was being talked about!
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[feef]

[Weedy]

Thanks, I'll have a look at those
____________________
<CBT passed 16th Sept 2007><Theory Test passed 11th Oct 2007><Practical Test passed 19th Apr 2008>
OWNED: 2008 Aprilia Pegaso Strada CURRENT: Bikeless :'(

[Annabella]

[feef]

there's a reason there are so many dedicated Belay devices on the market now.. figure 8s used to be the standard way back when.. but so were twisted hemp ropes and woolen jumpers..



I'll confess, however, if I'm out mountaineering, rather than climbing, I'll take a figure of 8 and might well leave my belay device at home, to save weight. I am also reasonably experienced, so CAN use a figure of 8 as a belay device safely, but it still catches me out sometimes.

However, if you're going specifically to climb, then it woud be stupid to risk someone elses life for the sake of a few quid.

a
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Mudskipper wrote: feef, that is such a beautiful post that it gave me a lady tingle
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[garth]

Anything you need to know?

The shoes hurt like buggery!
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[feef]

[garth]

[Weedy]

I got the Ellis Brigham catalouge with Trail Magazine this month, and they've got some Scarpa's in there. I like the look of the "Womens Lightning" but knowing my luck they'll rip my feet to shreds!
____________________
<CBT passed 16th Sept 2007><Theory Test passed 11th Oct 2007><Practical Test passed 19th Apr 2008>
OWNED: 2008 Aprilia Pegaso Strada CURRENT: Bikeless :'(