ok so im 13 and im interested in rock climbing but l dont knowwhat equipment l need or how to use the stuff l dont really wanna like take classes l wanna like teach myself l dont wanna climb big rocks now just a few rock that are like 20-50 high there a few walls around here so if someone could tell me what equipment l need oh and I am going with my friend so l think we need that like belay stuff so just tell me what l need and how to use the stuff or if it comes with instructions or something

If u guys r planning on bouldering or free climbing, all u need is a pair of rock shoes. Rock shoes do not come with instructions on how to climb, or what to do in case u fall. If u r planning on having a short life, climbing rocks from 20 to 50 feet high with no prior experience should do it for you.

On the other hand, if u want to live longer, use a rope & harnesses. You can get those in a store like RE l or other mountain supply stores. Most sporting goods stores do not carry them, so u might have to look around. Now, here is why u desperately need training with an experienced climber, or need to read books on rock climbing. There r a lot of technical details about the use of a climbing rope, how to belay, & how to place protection or set the rap anchor for top roping, & mistakes can kill. This is a complex subject, do not be a fool. If u do not want to take any classes, then go buy some books on how to climb rocks that will explain to u all the technical details & gear that u will need. If u r just starting out, do not even think of trying to do lead climbs, where the climber places protection as he goes up. This is extremely dangerous for the inexperienced, because too many things can go wrong if u do not know what u r doing. Find yourself a place where u can easily & safely reach the top of the cliff u want to climb, & set a rap anchor for top roped climbing, & learn the basics. What is more, practice on sloping cliffs, somewhere where a fall wo not mean a fatality, unilt u understand how to use the gear. Here is a link where u can get started on the basic concepts, below. But do not think u can learn everything from looking up these kinds of websites on rock climbing. Buy a book on it, in fact, buy several books on the subject.

TAKE CLASSES. Climbing is not something that u teach yourself - at least not until u pass a certain skill level. Simply having equipment does not guarantee ur safety. Most equipment requires special training - u need to learn how to set up a good anchor, u need to know how to properly belay with a nonlocking belay device (like an ATC) should the mechanism fail. You need to know a dozen different knots for emergency usage. You need to learn how to properly care for gear. l could not begin to explain how to use the gear via internet. l am a former climbing instructor, & l can tell u from personal experience that it would take at least a week working every day, to properly train u - this does not count the time needed to gain experience or improve ur climbing skills. Most people start out in gyms & do not climb outside for at least a year - & when they do they learn from a more experienced climber. As a matter of fact l just went climbing today with 2 new climbers (both have been climbing indoors for years, one had never climbed outside). l was the one to lead climb the wall & set up the anchor, check the safety of the system, etc. Climbing is extremely dangerous - l cannot stress enough how important it is that u seek proper training before climbing outside yourself. Imagine u bought a plane & had no idea how to fly it - would u try it without instruction & hope for the best? The same principle applies to rock climbing - u cannot simply buy the gear & hope for the best. In fact 90% of the gear l have bought is labeled with specific warnings next to the directions that u must seek proper training before climbing.

l would STRONGLY suggest that u take classes or at least find an experienced climber to take u climbing (and just going once does not mean u have the necessary skills). Find a local climbing gym - if u r by coincidence near southern NH or VT or northern MA l can recommend some excellent climbing schools (EMS Climbing schools r great if u can find one) & gyms. Email me if u r in the area: flyboy339745.com

DO NOT LEARN FROM YOUTUBE.COM!!! A few fellow staff members & myself found some videos from Expert Village that demonstrated unsafe practices such as the American Death Triangle, improper use of an ATC, improper rappel technique, improper use of a sliding X anchor.you get the picture.

l will say it just once more - simply climbing with little or no prior experience is nothing short of a suicide attempt. You not only risk ur life, but the life of ur fellow climber/belayer. Ask around at ur local sporting goods store for some good climbing gyms or instructors. Tell them that u r new & want to learn - they will be nice - rock climbers tend to be pretty laid back people. Learn the basics of belaying at ur local gym. If u so choose, learn how to lead climb & belay, how to set up anchor (start with a hanging belay), & go from there. Do not climb outside until ur instructor agrees that u r ready. l cannot stress this enough - it may look easy, but there r a thousand things that could go wrong while climbing - do not u think u should be ready to deal with these problems if they arise? - Learn from an instructor. Happy Climbing =]

***Note: l felt the need to make another point because another answer contradicted it. Many climbing gyms WILL teach u how to set up anchor. However, more importantly they may teach u how to belay, lead climb, lead belay, hanging belay, etc. l would not skip the gym, because it allows u to learn in a safer environment. If u drop the climber while belaying it is better that they hit a soft mat than a pile of rocks. Do not skip the gym if u can help it - u wo not regret it.

Hey!

Some stuff u might need.

~Rock climbing shoes, (you can get these from G l Joe is or RE l & u should ask the employees for some help with sizing)

~Rock climbing harness (same as above, RE l or G l Joe's, ask for help)

~Chalk bag (optional, this helps ur hands from becoming sweaty)

All of these things will be provided for u if u take the class. l would totally recommend taking classes, u learn a lot, & they r fun! They will make ur climbing safer as well. If u r really not interested in taking classes, at least find a friend or family member that is willing to teach u some stuff. You will want to start out bouldering, which is climbing with out a rope, (you do not go higher than 10-15 feet, & u should always use a crash pad, provided by the climbing gym).
Eventually, if u want to keep with the sport, u will want to buy ur own equipment. It is a great sport, & the people climbing at the gym will help u out.
Oh yeah, for clothing, u want some sport shorts, or stretchy pants, & a sport shirt. It is a strenuous activity, & it requires technique & skill. l would recommend taking at least one class, to get u started.

Lily K

Sorry,
You either need an experienced mentor, or take the classes to get u started. Otherwise, get it from a book, (that u should fully understand & be able to quote in ur sleep)rather than an online forum.

l guess if you're dead set on no instruction, u could go bouldering (ropeless on very short, difficult climbs), u need: a helmet, shoes, chalk & crashpad. But it is better to have more than one person to ''spot'' u because the crashpad needs to be kept directly underneath the climber, & someone should watch tyhe climber is head as well.

Climbing safely is pretty complicated, & attention to detail can be the difference between life & death. You need to be taught the basics, & then u will be free (and safe) to do it on ur own, which is one of the great things about climbing - the freedom. So you've got that adventuring spirirt which is right on the mark, but it sounds like you're taking it too lightly. l mean, fall 50 feet & yur probably dead, right? C'mon, now.

Oh yeah, contrary to what everyone else is sayiong, avoid the gym if u can, they may teach u to belay, but you're not going to learn how to build anchors in there!

You want to bypass all the boring stuff and just go and try something that looks cool. I'd love to drive a Ferrari. But l think l will learn to drive first. You know, brakes and stuff.

You can not teach yourself because it is not safe. Also because the techniques are hard to work out without a teacher. However, if you go to your local sports centre, a six week climbing course could cost as little as £30 for six sessions, which costs about the same as it does to go on the indoor climbing wall six times. The courses are fun and exciting, and there are usually some especially for your age group. You wo not regret doing the course.