Climbing walls

In message <[email hidden]>

Andrew Conroy said:

Hi folks!

I know I'm probably better going to uk.rec.climbing, but I know people
here so thought I'd ask here first!

I'm thinking of trying out my local climbing wall, Adur Outdoor
Activities Centre, in Shoreham, West Sussex (www.aoac.org.uk). I've
enjoyed scrambling and though this might improve my scrambling skills and
take things to the next level as well. Has anyone got any experience of
AOAC? I've seen a good review on ukclimbing.com, but wondered what
people's thoughts were on it and on climbing walls in general?

Andrew

Andrew,

I know nothing about this particular wall or centre you mention above.
However learning rock climbing skills can be an asset for scrambling and
mountaineering, and it can also lead into rock climbing for its own
sake. The pictures on the website above indicate that the wall is
reasonably high (10m) and the routes are rope protected. What you will
almost certainly need to do is therefor to learn the basics of belaying
and this is likely to require you to sign up for some kind of induction
or training course. If you're going to learn to climb it is important to
get the basic rope handling right or else you could be making things
much more dangerous for yourself and whoever you climb with. Some walls
also offer the possibility for low level bouldering or traversing where
you don't need to bother with ropes and really only need a pair of
rock-boots and a chalk-bag. In bouldering the idea is to practice
technically difficult moves at such a height that you feel comfortable
about falling or jumping off.

There are many more climbing walls and with better facilities than when
I first started climbing. Although I did use climbing walls quite a lot
(mainly mid-week visits to the Kelsey Kerridge, Cambridge and in winter
sunday trips to Mile End or the Castle, in London) I probably spent more
time climbing outdoors on rock with my local climbing club (the CCCC).
My own preference is still for multi-pitch easier climbs on mountain
routes but I have also enjoyed single pitch climbing on smaller crags.

Anyway my advice is to give it a go and see how you get on. There is
really nothing to lose by trying.

Mike
--
o/ \\ // |\ ,_ o Mike Clark
<\__,\\ // __o | \ / /\, "A mountain climbing, cycling, skiing,
"> || _`\<,_ |__\ \> | immunology lecturer, antibody engineer and
` || (_)/ (_) | \corn computer user"

In article <[email hidden]>,

Mike Clark said:

In message <[email hidden]>
Andrew Conroy <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hi folks!

I know I'm probably better going to uk.rec.climbing, but I know
people here so thought I'd ask here first!

I'm thinking of trying out my local climbing wall, Adur Outdoor
Activities Centre, in Shoreham, West Sussex (www.aoac.org.uk). I've
enjoyed scrambling and though this might improve my scrambling skills
and take things to the next level as well. Has anyone got any
experience of AOAC? I've seen a good review on ukclimbing.com, but
wondered what people's thoughts were on it and on climbing walls in
general?

Andrew

Quoted message said:

Andrew,

Quoted message said:

I know nothing about this particular wall or centre you mention above.
However learning rock climbing skills can be an asset for scrambling and
mountaineering, and it can also lead into rock climbing for its own
sake. The pictures on the website above indicate that the wall is
reasonably high (10m) and the routes are rope protected. What you will
almost certainly need to do is therefor to learn the basics of belaying
and this is likely to require you to sign up for some kind of induction
or training course. If you're going to learn to climb it is important to
get the basic rope handling right or else you could be making things
much more dangerous for yourself and whoever you climb with.

Yes, they offer a "Taster" followed by two "Induction" sessions and then
two "Techniques" sessions (not sure I got the names right, but you get
the gist!), which is what I was thinking of signing up for. I realise you
need training in the basics of ropework etc. first.

Quoted message said:

Some walls also offer the possibility for low level bouldering or
traversing where you don't need to bother with ropes and really only
need a pair of rock-boots and a chalk-bag. In bouldering the idea is to
practice technically difficult moves at such a height that you feel
comfortable about falling or jumping off.

I think AOAC has a small bouldering wall too. I'm familiar with the
concept, you see loads of people carrying their matresses around the
Llanberis Pass! (unless they're just looking for somewhere to sleep!)

Quoted message said:

There are many more climbing walls and with better facilities than when
I first started climbing. Although I did use climbing walls quite a lot
(mainly mid-week visits to the Kelsey Kerridge, Cambridge and in winter
sunday trips to Mile End or the Castle, in London) I probably spent more
time climbing outdoors on rock with my local climbing club (the CCCC).
My own preference is still for multi-pitch easier climbs on mountain
routes but I have also enjoyed single pitch climbing on smaller crags.

Quoted message said:

Anyway my advice is to give it a go and see how you get on. There is
really nothing to lose by trying.

Thanks, I'll hang on until after I get back off my holidays next month I
think and then investigate times of sessions etc.

Andrew

--
+----------------------------------------+---------------------------------+
| Andrew Conroy, Owl-Art Un-Ltd. | email: [email hidden] |
| Coming to you on an Acorn RiscPC SA110 | |
+----------------------------------------+---------------------------------+
The impossible I can do at once, miracles take a little longer!!

"Andrew Conroy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi folks!

I know I'm probably better going to uk.rec.climbing, but I know people
here so thought I'd ask here first!

I'm thinking of trying out my local climbing wall, Adur Outdoor
Activities Centre, in Shoreham, West Sussex (www.aoac.org.uk). I've
enjoyed scrambling and though this might improve my scrambling skills and
take things to the next level as well. Has anyone got any experience of
AOAC? I've seen a good review on ukclimbing.com, but wondered what
people's thoughts were on it and on climbing walls in general?

Indoor climbing is good - but very different from outdoor climbing. It's
generally steeper, safer, with sticky-out bits rather than sticky-in bits
(if you see what I mean).

I would certainly give it a go, but if you want to go to the next level
(presumably upwards), then I would suggest do an outdoor climbing course (or
an advanced scrambling course?)

Best wishes,
Peter

In article <[email hidden]>,

peter-potato said:

"Andrew Conroy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi folks!

I know I'm probably better going to uk.rec.climbing, but I know people
here so thought I'd ask here first!

I'm thinking of trying out my local climbing wall, Adur Outdoor
Activities Centre, in Shoreham, West Sussex (www.aoac.org.uk). I've
enjoyed scrambling and though this might improve my scrambling skills
and take things to the next level as well. Has anyone got any
experience of AOAC? I've seen a good review on ukclimbing.com, but
wondered what people's thoughts were on it and on climbing walls in
general?

Quoted message said:

Indoor climbing is good - but very different from outdoor climbing.
It's generally steeper, safer, with sticky-out bits rather than
sticky-in bits (if you see what I mean).

Yes, I did think that. Climbing walls seem to be pretty much vertical
whereas scrambling is generally not all that vertical (at least not for
very long anyway!).

Quoted message said:

I would certainly give it a go, but if you want to go to the next level
(presumably upwards), then I would suggest do an outdoor climbing
course (or an advanced scrambling course?)

Sadly it's a bit flat and gently rolling around here to have many outdoor
climbing/scrambling courses 🙁 I think the AOAC also run climbing trips
to Harrisons Rock in Tunbridge, which would be some outdoor climbing too.

Andrew

--
+----------------------------------------+---------------------------------+
| Andrew Conroy, Owl-Art Un-Ltd. | email: [email hidden] |
| Coming to you on an Acorn RiscPC SA110 | |
+----------------------------------------+---------------------------------+
The impossible I can do at once, miracles take a little longer!!

In message <[email hidden]>

Andrew Conroy said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
peter-potato <[email hidden]> wrote:

[snip]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I would certainly give it a go, but if you want to go to the next
level (presumably upwards), then I would suggest do an outdoor
climbing course (or an advanced scrambling course?)

Sadly it's a bit flat and gently rolling around here to have many
outdoor climbing/scrambling courses 🙁 I think the AOAC also run
climbing trips to Harrisons Rock in Tunbridge, which would be some
outdoor climbing too.

Andrew

Some of the technically most difficult climbing I've attempted has been
on Southern Sandstone, such as at Harrisons Rock! It's certainly very
different from scrambling.

What I'd suggest for a scrambling course would be to go for Wales or
Scotland, or perhaps the Lake District, where there are some lovely long
mountain routes.

But learning basic climbing skills, even those on a vertical wall, will
help your scrambling.

Mike
--
o/ \\ // |\ ,_ o Mike Clark
<\__,\\ // __o | \ / /\, "A mountain climbing, cycling, skiing,
"> || _`\<,_ |__\ \> | immunology lecturer, antibody engineer and
` || (_)/ (_) | \corn computer user"

In article <[email hidden]>,

Mike Clark said:

In message <[email hidden]>
Andrew Conroy <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
peter-potato <[email hidden]> wrote:

[snip]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I would certainly give it a go, but if you want to go to the next
level (presumably upwards), then I would suggest do an outdoor
climbing course (or an advanced scrambling course?)

Sadly it's a bit flat and gently rolling around here to have many
outdoor climbing/scrambling courses 🙁 I think the AOAC also run
climbing trips to Harrisons Rock in Tunbridge, which would be some
outdoor climbing too.

Andrew

Quoted message said:

Some of the technically most difficult climbing I've attempted has been
on Southern Sandstone, such as at Harrisons Rock! It's certainly very
different from scrambling.

It certainly looks very different, and quite hard, from what I've seen of
it!

Quoted message said:

What I'd suggest for a scrambling course would be to go for Wales or
Scotland, or perhaps the Lake District, where there are some lovely long
mountain routes.

Well, I've been up Tryfan, Bristly Ridge, Crib Goch, in fact we did the
15 peaks this Easter spread over 4 brilliant days of scrambling. I'd love
to yry the Lakes or Scotland, but getting holiday time to do it is always
the problem (that, and someone to do it with!).

Quoted message said:

But learning basic climbing skills, even those on a vertical wall, will
help your scrambling.

This is what I figured. Thanks for confirming my thoughts.

Andrew

--
+----------------------------------------+---------------------------------+
| Andrew Conroy, Owl-Art Un-Ltd. | email: [email hidden] |
| Coming to you on an Acorn RiscPC SA110 | |
+----------------------------------------+---------------------------------+
The impossible I can do at once, miracles take a little longer!!

I regularly go to the local climbing wall (Bristol - very good by the
way) although I'm not a climber as such. As well as being enjoyable,
my climbing ability, and general fitness (such as it is) has improved
significantly. One caveat, is that you are (very well) roped on at the
wall, but when scrambling even more than proper climbing, if you slip,
you are off ! I need to remind myself now when a blithely climb up
things in caves (caving being my main sport) - when a unroped slip
could well be fatal.

Hywel

In message <[email hidden]>,
hyweldavies <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

I regularly go to the local climbing wall (Bristol - very good by the
way) although I'm not a climber as such. As well as being enjoyable,
my climbing ability, and general fitness (such as it is) has improved
significantly. One caveat, is that you are (very well) roped on at the
wall, but when scrambling even more than proper climbing, if you slip,
you are off ! I need to remind myself now when a blithely climb up
things in caves (caving being my main sport) - when a unroped slip
could well be fatal.

Hywel

Indeed - you could be seriously killed!
--
Bill Grey