Rock Climbing Information
There is an active rock
climbing group in Club
Cualann.
Rock climbing is exciting and at times strenuous. It provides a good workout and an adrenaline rush, but it is generally safe if well practised, especially for non-lead climbers, which most beginners will be.
| How
do I get involved? What equipment do I need? How do I learn to climb? |
When
is the
best time to begin? Can anyone use UCD Climbing Wall? Where can I find out more? |
How do I get involved
You can contact Jim Sheehan on 087 7671496. He will talk you through what you need to do to get started.What equipment do I need?
The basic requirements are a climbing harness, rock shoes, a belay device and for outdoor climbing a helmet is recommended. For new people, a harness may be available on loan if required. Tight fitting trainers with a plain rubber sole will do until you see what types of rock shoe are available. (Beware of buying rock shoes before starting to climb for two reasons: (a) climbing may not be for you and you will have invested in something you will use only once or twice, (b) sales persons generally persuade beginners that they need shoes a full size smaller than they normally wear resulting in very sore feet. Take advice from experienced climbers before buying any gear!) Tracksuit bottoms are ideal wear rather than restrictive denims.How do I learn to climb?
There are many courses available from individuals and outdoor centres, but when you are finished your course, you may not have anybody to climb with. In Club Cualann we provide instruction and continuing support and advice in the course of our weekly meets. You will be assured of a climbing partner and experienced advice and supervision until such time as you are competent. And there is the camaraderie of a group and after meet refreshments.When is the best time to begin?
In Club Cualann we recommend that you begin early in the outdoor season. We usually have a Beginners’ Day in April or May. Then you will learn by climbing with experienced climbers over the course of the summer and progress to the stage of participating in the Multipitch Climbing Day in Glendalough in September. (Multipitch climbing means climbing rock faces that are longer than one rope-length, achieved by using intermediate anchor points on ledges on the rock face).
The indoor season is a good time to begin too. You will learn the basic skills of tying in, climbing, belaying and being lowered (similar to abseiling) as well getting climbing fit.Can anyone use UCD Climbing Wall?
To use UCD (or any other) Climbing wall independently, you will have to satisfy the operators that you have the basic competences of correctly putting on a harness, tying in and belaying safely. Experienced Club Cualann members will sign in new members under their supervision and coach them to pass the basic belay test.Where can I find out more?
There
is a wealth of information on rock
climbing on the internet. Mountaineering
Ireland
has a lot if information on www.mountaineering.ie
while Irish Climbing Online can be accessed at www.climbing.ie
.
Several books cover the technical aspects
of climbing, e.g. The Handbook of Climbing by A. Fyffe and I. Peter
(Published
by BMC).
There
is a rich literature of
mountaineering and climbing well worth reading, even if you never
climbed!
And
you can call Jim on 087 7671496.