How to Get Started: 10 Pro Tips for Rock-Climbing beginners

Stewart Green fell in love with rock-climbing at 12 years old while exploring the granite slabs of North Cheyenne Canyon in Colorado Springs Colorado. 50 years later he is the authority on the sport and the author of 19 books, most of which are rock-climbing guides. Green climbs around the world and loves to see new climbers develop a love for the sport and develop their abilities. Here are some tips for getting vertical: Tradgirl Climber


  1. Head for a climbing gym. Climbing indoors is easy and safe and you can try the sport and see what it's all about. You can read equipment, get instruction and learn the basics. Watch other experienced climbers and learn from their experiences.
  2. Learn the language: rock shoes are shoes that are specifically made for climbing and made of extremely sticky rubber. Harness is a belt loops around a climbers legs and waste and attaches to a rope. A belay is a metal device that a climber secures the rope for the other climber as he ascends. Rappelling is a controlled slide down the rope to the ground. Locking carabiners are metal links that connect the climbing rope to the harness.
  3. Perfect your moves and your rock-climbing skills before you go out to a real rock. One can always build their own climbing wall.
  4. Once you feel ready to climb outdoors, understand that this is a dangerous sport.
  5. To make an outdoor experience the safest possible go with an experienced climber Hire a guide or take outdoor lessons from a guide service.
  6. Even if you are with a group of experienced climbers, don't rely on them for your safety. Be responsible for yourself. Learn to tie your knots, check your knots, tie them to a rope, and check your anchors.
  7. Remember the climbing doesn't involve just your arms. Climbers use their legs and feet to push off rather than their arms to pull themselves up.
  8. Don't let a fear of heights prevent you from rock climbing. Many people focus on their fear of heights in their fear of falling. Those two fears are our basic human fears and they can keep you alive.
  9. Learn to trust your belayer, the person holding the rope for you. You cannot climb without trust.
  10. If you fall in love and climbing then by all the equipment. When you start, you can always rent. A harness, helmet, carabiners and out belay rappel device are your personal climbing tools. You will also need a pair proper climbing shoes as a mold to your feet and are not as slippery as regular tennis shoes.