Climb! A guide to high adventure
A good friend of ours here at StartClimbing has only gone and published a book all about climbing. Written with a whole lot of wit and humour, the book takes…
Climbing competitions – Age categories explained
“Which category is my child in?” is one of the most commonly asked questions of competition organisers by parents. It’s usually fairly straight forward but not always clear as there…
Learning the ropes (and the boulders) with NICAS & NIBAS
Abbi Blakey, Membership Manager for NICAS and NIBAS, tells us all about the schemes which are great ways to consolidate and learn climbing skills. Many climbing walls offer them as…
What Gear Do I Need to Sport Climb Outdoors?
Outdoor sport climbing requires very similar equipment to indoor top rope climbing, but there are a few other considerations when climbing outdoors and of course you will have to provide your own…
What Gear do I Need to Boulder Outdoors?
Outdoor bouldering requires very similar equipment to indoor bouldering, but there are a few other considerations when climbing outdoors. What you’ll need (alphabetical): Balms & Tape – Balms will help…
Are you clued up for outdoor climbing?
Climbing outdoors can be wonderful and the start of a life-long-love that family’s can do together. Being outdoors, enjoying the natural environment, standing at the top of a rock having…
Route Grades – They’re like different languages
Climbing routes are graded to help everyone understand approximately how hard they are, or the skill level needed to climb them. This is where the simple idea to categorise routes…
What? Every hold has a name?!?!
Well, maybe not every hold, but yes there is a lot of terminology around the type of holds on climbing walls and how they are held. This is most important…
What Gear Do I Need for Indoor Top-Roped Climbing?
If you’ve already had the training, can safely belay, put on a harness and want to try roped climbing, what equipment will you need and extras might you want? Well…
First time visit to a climbing wall
If you’re wanting to visit a climbing wall for the first time – do! Centres are very welcoming of beginners and staff are usually enthusiastic climbers, eager to share their…
What Gear Do I Need For Indoor Bouldering?
Indoor bouldering is perhaps the easiest entry point for new climbers. Very little equipment is required and any that is can usually be hired, at little cost, from the climbing…
Entering Climbing Competitions
Climbing competitions have many different formats and styles. For a new climber they might seem intimidating, busy and confusing but actually they can also be great fun, exciting and sociable.…