I climb for adventure, sightseeing, mateship (the crag creed), and physical & mental fitness gains.
Oh, and I’m an engineer (in training) -- we love working things out! This is climbing!
I love starting small and allowing confidence, skill, and ambition to take me beyond my wildest dreams.
As a kid, if there was a cat caught up a tree, I was first up! The higher, the better.
My introduction to chalked hands and super tight shoes was via the indoor bouldering gym in Canberra. I was instantly hooked, and I joined the university club, the QUT Cliffhangers, which taught me everything I know.
If you are looking to get into climbing, I recommend starting at an indoor gym, either bouldering or climbing on a rope, both are great options! The climbing community is super friendly and very welcoming, open to all talent & interest.
University climbing programs appear to be booming. I recommend starting here.
Learning efficient climbing techniques is King! Balance, coordination, rhythm and flow trump extraordinary strength – gained in the gym.
Undoubtedly there is a huge emphasis on mentally mapping your pathway before you make any movements. Visualising each movement and it’s connection with the next is paramount. Oh, and acknowledging your (current) talent and ‘energy’ tank limitations are also critical to enjoying climbing.
Trust me, climbing is a FULL body workout. Yes, hands & forearms play a role, but, your core strength, back, and of course your ‘legs’ must work in synchronicity, or you will fail.
If there’s one body part I now have far superior strength, it’s my hands (and fingers). It took years to hold my body weight with two fingers. Be patient!
Climb-specific training will undoubtedly help and boost your climbing experience.
Chin ups, hangs, moonboards, and finger board pulls will all help. It’s motivating and fun measuring improvements.
