Rock Climbing Classes
Question
Hi Rob,
I red through one of you explanations about the various classes in Rock climbing and I am totally bowled out. Now i am very much interested in taking up Rock climbing as my hobby. I stay in Pittsburgh and would want to know if there are any formal classes that I can attend to learn the basics of the same? I am more fascinated by Snow rock climbing as well as the normal rock climbing. Can you help me in this regard?
Thanks...Siva
Answer
Dear Siva,
Climbing is a great sport, but it entails obvious risks. It's best to find good instruction and you've shown your intelligence by seeking it out. There are few dumb living climbers. I advise that you start by visiting a local climbing gym. You can get a feel for the sport indoors under safely controlled conditions. The gym likely has local references for expanded outdoor instruction. I have no idea what kind of rock you've got in Pennsylvania, though I had a good climbing partner who hailed from there, somewhere out west. Here's a web and street addresss:
www.theclimbingwall.com
7501 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
(412) 247-7334
You can also try searching the site below for guides or instruction in your part of the world. These folks will respond to questions, too.
http://www.americanalpineclub.org/
If you'd like to go straight to the source and can arrange a vacation in California, I suggest heading for Yosemite Valley. I took training with these folks more than thirty years ago and it has served me well.
Yosemite Mountaineering School
Curry Village
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
+1 209 372 8344
They'll send you
information by mail
Yours,
Robert Walton
P.S. Ice climbing is not something you should jump into without first climbing on rock. I've done a little bit of it, but I don't like dealing with the cold. To climb ice safely, you have to add several skill sets to those you've developed as a rock climber. It's best to acquire knowledge of dealing safely with the vertical world on something that isn't cold, wet and slick.
BOULDERING
retirement