NationalExpressSpringIssue2017 - 43

INSIDER'S GUIDE ◆

S

ince being accepted as an Olympic sport,
climbing is becoming more mainstream.
I love scaling crags out in the Peak District,
but if you've never tried this activity, here's
what you need to know to get started...

PHOTOGRAPHY: Will Ireland, THANKS TO: The Arch Climbing Wall - Arch North, London CLOTHING: F&F, Nike, Go Outdoors

What is it?

There are three categories:
traditional (trad), sport and
bouldering. In short, trad involves
climbing up a rock face while
inserting pieces of metal into
cracks, which will help to 'anchor'
your rope and stop a fall if you
slip. Sport routes have permanent
anchors, while bouldering, pictured
left, has short routes that only
require a pad to land on.

will build strength in your arms,
legs and core as you improve
and conquer more difficult,
higher-grade routes. There's
lots of encouragement and chat
between strangers - even if you go
alone, you'll soon make friends.

Commitment level

Your skills will decline if you
don't practise. I had a six-month
break and was very weak when
I returned to the wall - I had
to build up my strength again.
Who it suits
Climbing at least once a week
Potentially anyone. I've climbed
is the best way to maintain
with people who are scared of
heights, colour-blind, overweight, and improve your stamina.
extremely unfit or missing limbs.
Bouldering can be done alone,
Difficulty level
but climbing requires at least two Easy routes are like ladders,
people - one to go up the route
with plenty of large hand and
and the other to control the
foot holds. Difficult routes
climber's rope, called 'belaying'.
include overhangs, tiny holds and
awkward body positions - but
you work your way up to those!
How to get started
Most people learn at a climbing
wall. Instructors will teach you
Equipment
how to position your body, shift
To go bouldering you just need a
your balance and climb with your pair of rock shoes, which start
feet. Roped courses include how at about £60, and some chalk
to put on a harness, tie a rope into to stop your hands sweating.
it and use a belay device to lower
Top-rope climbing requires
a fellow climber to the ground.
a harness (from £50) and a belay
You will also learn how to descend device (from £20), as well. These
from a rope at the top of a route.
can be hired from wall centres.
Climbing outside needs more
safety equipment, but most
Benefits
Climbing is an excellent workout people collect it over time, rather
than buy it all at once. 
and a very social pastime. You

43

CHECK OUT
THESE UK
INDOOR WALLS

1

THE CASTLE
CLIMBING
CENTRE, LONDON
Includes abseiling, a gym,
outdoor and youth climbing.
castle-climbing.co.uk

2

T H E F O U N D RY,
SHEFFIELD
Offers detailed assessments of
climbers' physical performance.
foundryclimbing.com

3

EDINBURGH
I N T E R N AT I O N A L
CLIMBING ARENA
Europe's largest indoor arena
with hundreds of routes.
eica-ratho.co.uk

4

REDPOINT
CLIMBING
CENTRE,
BIRMINGHAM
Some of the most interesting
indoor routes in the UK.
redpointbirmingham.co.uk

5

BEACON
CLIMBING,
CAERNARFON
Home of CrazyClimb - wacky
climbing for the whole family.
beaconclimbing.com

GIVE IT A GO

COST
£7-£13
per session
at an
indoor
wall, plus
equipment
hire fees.

BURN
You will
work up a
sweat,
but don't
need to be
particularly
fit to start.

TIME
Beginners'
courses
vary from a
few hours
to a day,
depending
on centres.


http://castle-climbing.co.uk http://www.foundryclimbing.com http://eica-ratho.co.uk http://redpointbirmingham.co.uk http://www.beaconclimbing.com

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