l have a couple questions:

1. l do not have anyone to go with yet.l guess for now l can just do bouldering at the gym, and maybe I will meet someone there who can belay for me?Any recommendations on finding a partner?

2. The membership at my local gym is $350/year.What equipment will l need to buy on top of that (shoes, harness, etc.) and how much should that set me back?

3. l felt awesome when l came out of my first lesson yesterday because the instructor was giving me all kinds of praise.But I am not sure if he was just trying to get my business!He said, ''You're lying - there is no way this is your first time'' and ''Is there anything you can not climb?''l got all the climbs on my first try, never fell, and l did a 9.6 and a 9.7.So, is that good or was he just playing with me?
Yeah, 5.6 and 5.7, that was it.

He actually e-mailed me today to tell me I am one of the strongest students he has at the moment.Teehee :)

Thanks, guys.
Thanks again guys.

So, can l have a partner who weighs alot more than me?l weigh 115 lbs so will l mostly have to climb with other women?My husband is 220 lbs, so I am assuming it might not be a good idea to try and get him to climb with me?

You r on the right track to find climbing partners - l have met several at the climbing gym. l am sure u wo not have any problem finding many people that want to climb with u & hopefully some that would be willing to teach u - maybe even take u outdoors to climb on some real rock.

The equipment u will normally need for the gym is rock shoes ($40 - $140) harness (~$60) & smaller items like a locking carabiner ($25) belay device ($20) chalk bag ($20) etc. Try the sale here:

http://mountaingear.com/

You may have climbed a 5.6 & a 5.7 (the decimal system 5.0 to 5.15 is the US scale for technical rock climbing) which is very normal for the first time - but u may have had some natural ability & good footwork & balance (which is more common for girls) - so he may have been genuinely surprised.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grade_(climbing)

[Edit]

You can climb with someone that is much heavier or lighter than u - u just need to make sure that u know the safety steps required to keep it safe. l climbed with a woman for several years that l outweighed by 100lbs & she was a great belayer.

Being more than 40lbs lighter, u should always be anchored - leading AND top roping. If u r belaying him on top rope u MUST be anchored or he could pull u off the ground all the way to the top & u could get hurt. Leading could pull u to the first point where the rope is clipped & u could hit the rock on the way up. Be safe!

Good Luck

1. Gym buddies r great also try finding someone at the climbing shops.

2. Yep, u will need shoes, harness, a belay device of some sort & carabiner or two. Later u will want some quick-draws, but not from the start. NEVER BUY USED GEAR except maybe shoes, but that is gross. Spend ur money on some good shoes & a decent harness. I'd budget $140 to start.

3. It was probably a combination of the two. Some people have bit of ''natural talent'' when it comes to some of the more technical moves & balance. He had u on beginner routes, which is to be expected. With a little practice, u will be climbing 5.10s in no time.

Edit: No, ur husband can climb with you. The anchors at the top of the route act like a pulley so the force of ur husbands weight is cut in half. Now, if he were doing a lead climb & fell more than 5ft., he could possibly shoot u up in the air so it would always be a good idea to make sure ur anchored in to something the ground if he could take a decent fall. Most climbing gyms these days have anchors on the floor just for this reason.

The above are totally right. l am also new in rock climbing, and l am also trying to find a climbing partner. l am from Surrey, BC, Canada. (female)

1. look for a partner at the gym, craigslist(seriously it works), or facebook

2.your first year of equipment and membership will probably set you back a good $650-$900 depending on brand and type of deal you get. l would shop around a bit for some good deals

3.first of all your half right about your instructer he is really trying to get your business but then again he is right that you are doing great for you first time

u could go to http://rockclimbing.com/ there u can create a climbing profile & search for climbing partners in ur city! It is a legitimate website :) it also has climbing tips & forums! check it out!

for equipment u will need a chalk bag (you can do without but it helps alot!) shoes. new climbers dont need expensive ones because they end up tearing them up because of there ''rookie '' climbing techniques. u will need a harness. & last a carabiner & belay device!

to but equipment RE l is great! http://rei.com/category/4500002 they may even have a store near by!

MADROCK http://madrockclimbing.com/packages.aspx this site has climbing packages they include ur harness, carabiner, chalk back & belay device for about $70.and u can do without the belay device & carabiner for $50.

Happy Climbing :)

1. Your local gym may have a bulletin board, the multiple ones l go to do
post a note saying you're looking for a partner, or just stop & talk to a bunch of people at ur gym
they're usually pretty nice.

2. You will definitely need ur own harness, that will be like $40. You can get by for now without ur own shoes, but that is next on the list.. Those will put u back anywhere from $60-$120, chalk bags r important, but not necessary for a new climber. (unless u have crazy sweaty hands).
I've been climbing for 6 years & l only use my chalkbag half the time.

3. a 5.6-5.7 is pretty damn decent for a first timer
especially since u said u were 115 lbs? So i'm gonna go ahead & assume you're tiny ( l am the same way)

Depending on how the gym has their ropes set up, ur husband can belay you. If they have anchors or if their ropes r double looped over the bars u will be fine.
The heaviest person I've ever belayed on a double looped rope is 200 lbs & l am 115

Talk to the people at the gym & other climbers, they should be psyched to spread their knowledge.

Welcome to the climbing community! Have fun!

my g/f & l climb together & she is 110lbs & l am 200lbs. no probs yet.
you should not have any trouble finding someone to belay for you. at our gym if u show up alone, u can always ask one of the gym staff to belay u for a few routes & they have a few automatic belay stations.
as for ur equipment, standard harness & shoes should set u back about 125-150. chalk bag & chalk around 20-25, couple of locking biners about 25, & u should have ur own belay device, a decent ATC runs about 20-30
Oh, & not to crush ur dreams, but 5.6 & 5.7 r beginner routes.