foundry or the edge?...
wanting to join a climbing club, but not sure which to go for?

Both good, not much between them.
Why not alternate between for a few weeks, then make a choice.
I chose the edge, purely on the fact it was closer to where I lived

Any of you guys want to go to the edge tonight? My climbing partner can't make it but i'd still like to go. Just top roping though! I'm still only doing 4s and 5s!

I've never used a climbing wall, and don't see the attractions, perhaps I'm missing something. (I havn't climbed since the late 70s by the way) With so many places local to climb, Stanage Burbage, even Rivelin, surely it'd be better to go and bag a couple of 'proper' routes in the fresh air. Interested to hear your views, as like i said i no longer climb.

Regards

Originally posted by Barbarian
I've never used a climbing wall, and don't see the attractions, perhaps I'm missing something. (I havn't climbed since the late 70s by the way) With so many places local to climb, Stanage Burbage, even Rivelin, surely it'd be better to go and bag a couple of 'proper' routes in the fresh air. Interested to hear your views, as like i said i no longer climb.

Regards

Unless you're a beginner and/or don't have the time/skill to set everything up out in the countryside.

I've climbed out in Castleton and it was amazing.. but I couldn't have done it if there weren't people there to get everything setup and to make sure everything was safe etc.

It also took a full day.

Yeah i suppose so, you don't allways see the big picture sat here. I just presumed if you were using a climbing wall you had experiance, and could just nip out and bag a couple of routes. It was what we used to do when we were young and daft, couple of hours after work till it went dark.

I'm using the climbing wall as I;m a complete beginner to this sport and need to learm about safety/gear/technique/lead climbing and training. When I'm confident and have somebody to take me out for my first outdoor climb I will be outside as much as possible. I also think the walls are important for training and retaining the skills during the dodgy weather when you can't get outside.

Half the fun for me was being out and about, i used to enjoy the walk to and from as well as the climb. If the weather was bad, you would just pick an easier route, allways seemed harder when raining or snowing. The equipment wasn't so technical then and lets not do the safety thing. I helped with some instruction in the mid 90s on Burbage, so am reasonably familiar with modern gear. I used to lead at HVS to mild XS, about 6a in modern terms and solo at about 5a. Anyway, I hope you stick it and enjoy, especially outdoors:thumbsup:

give the Matrix a try at u sport its abouldering wall but its quite good! www.usport.co.uk