Just a quick note to let you know that there is a new article from Harry Grove, of PT on Demand, written for rock climbers to help improve fitness levels and so improve your climbing. It is here. Enjoy your climbing! (and, of course, your training for climbing!) Steve
Category Archive: Rock Climbing Instruction
Aug 30
Beginners Guide to Outside Bouldering
I recently took a couple climbing (no surprise there!). I was struck again by what a funny thing ‘bouldering’ is to someone who is new to climbing. First of all, the name. After I mentioned that we would start the day with some bouldering, they asked ‘What is bouldering?’ So before I answered, I asked …
Aug 14
Indoor Climbing Session
Rock Climbing inside at Charterhouse – all filmed, edited & finished on an iPhone 4 (thanks Sean Pentony!). Climbing @ Charterhouse from Sean Pentony on Vimeo. Indoor walls are a great way to get into rock climbing. While Try Climbing is all about outdoor climbing, modern inside venues offer a dry, convenient place to train …
Apr 20
Gaston Advice: Use of Holds
Next up is advice about the use of climbing handholds: ‘The strain put onto a hold must always be perpendicular to it. Before using a hold, make sure it is firm. Do not forget that earth, grass, ice or water in a hold diminish its value significantly.’ Again, this is from Gaston Rebuffat’s Starlight and …
Apr 19
More of Gaston's 'Basic Rules'
So, back to Gaston Rebuffat and his tips, from his fantastic book ‘Starlight and Storm’, available here: Starlight and Storm (Modern Library Exploration). Rule number 1: Consider – look ahead. ‘Before attempting a pitch, go over it first in your head; that is to say, work out the movements in succession and the effort required …
Apr 17
Matthew Childs' 9 life lessons from rock climbing
You may find this talk interesting! TED.com is the source of many brilliant talks. They’re not really about rock climbing – just about great ideas worth sharing. This particular one is short and pulls out a couple of thoughts about climbing that Matthew Childs then applies to life!
Apr 11
A great forecast
With a few days climbing in the Peak District this week, Try Climbing is excited to see the forecast from the BBC: The BBC weather site is here. To take advantage of this fantastic weather, book a climbing instructor to make your time outside count! Email info@tryclimbing.co.uk to check availability and book. Or to buy …
Apr 08
Climbing advice from Gaston: Knots
I’ll begin where I left off, by quoting Gaston. This is from the latter part of his fantastic ‘Starlight and Storm’ and provides his understated advice for the would be mountaineer. This section is entitled ‘Knots’: ‘The rope around the body must be firm and tight, so that the loop cannot slip. Knots must always …
Mar 29
Advice from an old master
Gaston Rebuffat was an incredible climber. His ‘Starlight and Storm’ is inspiring yet humble. Charting his successes on the Great North Faces of the Alps, he makes only passing comment of huge leads, hard routes and tough conditions. Working for most of his life as a Guide in Chamonix, his publication ‘Mont Blanc Massif: The …
Mar 27
Welcome to the NEW TryClimbing blog!
Hello. This blog is about rock climbing for beginners. Most activities are daunting for beginners. Because even experienced climbers can find Rock Climbing daunting it must be especially so for new climbers! So, if you’re new to climbing this is for you. Cliques and big guns are all banned from Try Climbing. In the real …
