General Outdoor Fun DiscussionWhether you rock climb, kayak, snowboard, hike or hang glide, if you play outside and you play hard, come talk about it in here.
1st Belay test and a question about outside climbing
So Shannon and I went back to take our belay test at the univiersity. They hook you up to a carabiner in a door so there is no tension on the rope. Man it is way easier to belay when there is some tension on the rope, or rather so your pulling it to tension. Either way we both passed and moved on to climbing.
We had to wait a little bit for the test so they rented us our stuff for free, so that was pretty cool!
I was initially sorta worried about outdoor climbing, but I think now that I have done indoor stuff I am much more cool with taking the adventure outside.
Now for the question. For you guys who go outside, do you top rope climb at all? If so how do you typically set the anchor at the top? Is it typically attached to the rock or so a tree at the top? both? neither? Just curious!
Re: 1st Belay test and a question about outside climbing
Usually to a couple of trees at the top. Always have more than one anchor. A belay at the bottom and you're set. Bouldering is a nice easy way to do some climbing without all the rope hassles. Just don't get carried away and get too high. Also always have a buddy and a crash pad. By the looks of the avatar you've got half that problem solved.
Re: 1st Belay test and a question about outside climbing
two anchors. Oh heck that makes a fair amount of sense! Yeah you bet I got the buddy! Although she has a pretty entertaining time running my belay if she isn't anchored to the ground right now. I weigh about 100lbs more than she does.
The university does intro level courses for around $80 and provides all the equipment so it's a decent way to get your feet wet and get out with some exprienced people as well.
Re: 1st Belay test and a question about outside climbing
If you weigh 100 lbs more than her than you should definitely have her tied down to a tree/anchor. A Grigri could help in that situation too.
Many new belayers could possibly drop you when being pulled up from the ground due to surprise, etc. Been there, not fun... And I was only 30lbs heavier.
If you live in Calgary, Grassi Lake in Canmore has good top-roping. Unfortunately, you will have to lead up the climb to set up the top-rope or have someone do it for you. As far as I can remember the top isn't easily accessible.
Re: 1st Belay test and a question about outside climbing
She did ok, when I tested her ablity low on the wall, I defintetly moved her when she caught my weight, but it was the first time she had had to. One of our instructors was a small asian woman who was able to belay someone 100lbs heavier than her, so it is possible, but Shannon feels better with the anchor and since she is my lifeline I am cool with her feeling better [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Re: 1st Belay test and a question about outside climbing
Outside? Like Good kids? Sacre bleu! I am sure I cannot imagine such a thing.
On the belay note though... I reckon I could probably run belay for him without an anchor, once I get used to the fact that my feet are going to be slowly lifting off the ground at the same time. I think after I get a bit more used to the equipment it'll be an option, in the meantime I'm all about avoiding things that'll startle me and cause me to muck up.
When I try that again though, I'm going to stand Below the top rope attachment though so I go Up, not sideways into the wall. Our poor instructor really wanted to help me but he was laughing too hard...
Re: 1st Belay test and a question about outside climbing
humm that was meant to be a joke imitating parents who want to be left alone and then the kids go outside and do all kinds of fun that thier parents would be real scared if they knew what they were doing. the whole thing was in reference to Ogedei saying "I was initially sorta worried about outdoor climbing, but I think now that I have done indoor stuff I am much more cool with taking the adventure outside."
Re: 1st Belay test and a question about outside climbing
I'll get to know you better and guess that next time [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Hey.. we're also talking about atleast TRYING indoor climbing once... We saw this place going to a friends hous in Montréal and checked the website.. looks gigantic..
here's the picture page cause the site is in french ..
Re: 1st Belay test and a question about outside climbing
That bouldering rock in picture 8 looks fun. I like the fact that it has a big ol' mat around it too! [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] Whole facility looks like an adventure, anyway.
Interested to hear how it goes, if you guys decide to check it out.
1st Belay test and a question about outside climbing
Linear Mode
