l have done it a couple times, and l am actually really good but how do l get into it? how do l do outdoor climbing? And can l climb alone?

sounds funky fresh!

All u need to get into rock climbing is some basic gear & if u r going to do technical rock climbing, a partner. There r some beginners that climb 4th class peaks by themselves, but if ur r doing technical rock climbing or even bouldering u will need a partner.

The basics for any climber r rock shoes & a harness. Even if u r climbing indoor - which is a good place to start in the winter - u will need these. Shoes must be fitted in person to fit correctly. If u r going to climb outdoors, they should be tight but comfortable enough to stand in for many hours.

You can learn some techniques from others at an indoor gym & get a lesson on how to belay. You can even meet some other climbers that that need a climbing partner that u can climb with outdoors when the weather turns nicer.

There r outdoor classes or u can learn from a more experienced climber that u trust (or both). l would suggest reading ''How to Climb'' by John Long this winter & then buy a good local guide book & find some moderate ''top rope'' climbs to tackle in the spring.

Good Luck

Start with reading. Bouldering, the sport of scaling any stone face higher that ur arms can reach without jumping, gets u started. Buildering, climbing private structures, is a no-
no unless you're sure somebody will throw ur bail money.
l started climbing instruction while a member of the National Speleological Society. l got University of California credit in
rock climbing formal instruction. l am still bouldering outside
when not descending lava & limestone caverns ( alone ).
Suggest reader inquire with The Mountaineers for technique
instruction. My community has a private school for students
interested in International climbing. Check into the NSS.

You should totally get into climbing!

If u do not know anyone who climbs, it is helpful to join a club. Here in Canada we have the Alpine Club of Canada, & where l live, it is inexpensive to join, & they provide gear & outings for rock & ice climbing. Otherwise u could go to a climbing gym & meet people there who climb outdoors.

Otherwise, read a lot about how belays work & how to build anchors, get the gear u need, & go climbing. It would be a good idea to get instruction in the gym for leading. Pick up a copy of the guidebook for ur area at a local outdoors store, or even at the public library. Climbing alone is not a good idea, so find a friend that also wants to climb, & they should read up & recieve instruction too. You're looking somewhere between $300-$500 split between 2 people for all ur gear to get started. Ask someone who climbs, maybe at the store where u buy ur gear or the gym, about the local craigs & what the routes r like, & what kind of gear is required. Can any climbs be top-roped (like u did in the gym), or does someone have to lead? Are the anchors bolted, or do u need to build one yourself. All these things determine the amount of gear & knowledge/experience u will need. If at all possible, find someone to take u out for at least ur first time no matter how much you've read.

Have fun, use yer brain!

l joined a climbing gym as for much of the year it is too cold to really do any outdoor climbing. At least take some of the basic courses that will teach u the knots & safety techniques. Always take this part seriously. Serious accidents often occur at the end of the day when everyone is tired & impatient & not paying enough attention.

Outdoor climbing is a lot more fun. l like to say outdoor climbing is to indoor as essay questions r to true/false. There is no colored tape to guide you, no plan by a route setter. You just make ur own way as best u can.

Yes, u can climb alone. You can free solo, which is without ropes or anything. One slip & you're toast. Or u can self-belay on a top-rope set up. Bloody pain in the rear end. Both r more risky, particularly if u r inexperienced. Climbers tend to be really cool, laid-back people (heck, they do not even mind a dork like me hanging with them). Start up conversations at the bouldering area of the local climbing gym or find some climbers online to go with (check out meetup, groups, & rockclimbing.com).

Best of luck. Have fun. See u on the rocks.