Rock techniques--best practices
Question
I am an "old" (in many ways)rock climber. I started climbing in Georgia around 1964. I am (always will be) a US Army Ranger. I am now teaching high school and would like to start a rockclimbing club. I know that many many of my old techniques are now out of date. Can you tell mme about rock climbing clubs in North Georgia and are there any good books that I can lift the techniques from? Thanks for your time Bill
Answer
Dear Mr. Merritt---you beat me at the starting date---I started in 1973.
As to clubs, I could not say...but I generally have a low opinion of the standards at clubs---serious climbers do not appear to be "club" types. We have the Colorado Mtn. Club, here, and it is not known for its outstanding rock climbers.
As to books, please see Amazon.com or your local climbing store. Many people find John Long's various climbing books to be state-of-the-art.
If you have not climbed in the past decades, you will find amazing advances in climbing gear....the need for good judgement, however, remains the same.
I especially recommend my, "Ultrasafe, A Guide to Safer Rock Climbing," available at Amazon.com. If you want to use it as an instructional text, I sell bulk orders for 50% off cover (about $7/copy).
Good Luck
George Allen
rock climbing bay area
Ropes