Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#181226 - 12/10/13 02:02 PM Old(ish) dogs, New tricks and surprises
skcreidc Offline
member

Registered: 08/16/10
Posts: 1590
Loc: San Diego CA
Climbing. It's always been one of those things that I've had an interest in but never followed through with....until now. Maybe I needed to wait till over 50 to get it right. The cool part is that my wife and (formerly known as couch potato) daughter are gladly doing it with me. Granted, much of their experience so far has been at the local indoor gym. But they are starting to venture outside (all top roping) with me now and the results couldn't have been more positive. My daughter has even told me more than once that she would eventually like to lead climb (I think she means sport climbing and not placing gear). You could have knocked me over with a feather with that one. And just to let you all know, my #1 goal each time I go out is to come back in one piece; doubly so for my wife and daughter. To be honest, they both have surprised me in taking to it so positively. They are also very supportive of me going climbing in the Winds. Maybe this summer if all comes together.

Top
#181234 - 12/10/13 08:11 PM Re: Old(ish) dogs, New tricks and surprises [Re: skcreidc]
wandering_daisy Offline
member

Registered: 01/11/06
Posts: 2865
Loc: California
As a die-hard traditional climber, I was really surprised at how much I liked gym climbing once I started doing it in my 50's. I do not do it anymore because my husband quit and the cost of single membership is pretty steep. Most gyms have good family rates. It is just plain fun! And it really does improve your traditional climbing as long as you continue to get in a lot of outdoor climbing too. It was the answer to keeping in climbing shape during rainy winters. Just be sure if you get your daughter into lead climbing that she gets some GOOD training. I am a stickler about wearing a helmet outdoors, even if just top roping. It is easy to strain tendons in gym climbing, so know when to call it a day.

Top
#181255 - 12/11/13 12:42 PM Re: Old(ish) dogs, New tricks and surprises [Re: wandering_daisy]
skcreidc Offline
member

Registered: 08/16/10
Posts: 1590
Loc: San Diego CA
We have been climbing as a family for almost a year now and have had a family membership for the past six months at our gym of choice (the college kid dominated gym). Our daughter is in the local UCSD for college so we get to see her 2 to 3 times a week for climbing and yoga. This ends up working out pretty nice.... smile

When I learned what little I learned about climbing using rope and protection 30 some years ago, I was using a swami belt and either a body or hip belay. I had no rope, but I owned 3 hexes, 5 stoppers, and a bunch of 'biners and slings (everything I had was marked Chouinard). People would invite me along in part to help fill out their rack. Friends were just starting to get mainstream and a couple of close calls leading with those cams and not knowing how to use them safely led me to not get into leading. Plus I was more into surfing anyways. Then, I disappeared for 30 years giving most of what little I had away. So, I've been taking classes whenever I can starting from the very basics as well as studying books (the Mountaineers series mostly)prior so I can get the most out of each class. I'm signing my wife and daughter up for classes as we can afford them. Oh, and before we started climbing outside together we got helmets and we use them. I want to keep all our experiences positive if possible. We can always not climb on a given day if things don't look right.

I'm a strong believer in plan for the worst and hope for the best. That in mind, my current at home project in rope knowhow is rescue techniques. When I have enough cash I'll take a class in it from probably Bob Gaines. Again, this way I'll sort of know what I'm doing when I take the class and the instructor can help correct or refine what I'm doing.

I appreciate all the advice you continue to give me btw. So thanks again WD.

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 170 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum