Climbing grear help?

i have been climbing rocks from age 7. never with gear, and never high enough to kill me, but last year I scared myself a few times in Vail. So i have decided to take a begging rock climbing class at the college to learn how to use the equipment. Question is... should i go buy anything before i know what all the expesive pieces of meatal do? or shoes and harness?


know any good places to start vertical ascencion in breckenridge, CO? thx

Climbing grear help?
No dont get any gear before the class. I say this for a couple of reasons. Once you start climbing high and start using proper gear the sport might not interest you and then you will be stuck with a bunch of exspensive climbing gear that is sometimes hard to sell once its used. Also i would suggest getting more knowledge about what your climbing and when Climbing gear can be very very specific whats perfect for this climb could be useless on another. The only two things i would recommend getting would be a chalk bag and chalk and a good pair of rock climbing shoes. If you really hate climbing then the shoes could be sold and that chalk and chalk bag are really cheap. make sure to buy a comfortable shoe that fits very snug without socks on. If its all leather then it will stretch so buy the half size down to the one that feels great in the store. Yes it will be tight in the begining but it will stretch into the perfect shoe in no time. If you do just love the sport then start your gear aquiring process you will find that it is usually an ongoing thing. I have yet to meet a climber who is contect with the amount of gear he or she owns. there is always something smaller stronger lighter better. Good luck
Reply:I would suggest starting with only these these pieces of gear:





Rock shoes (Sportiva, 5.10, Boreal)


Harness (Black Diamond, Petzl, Singing Rock)


Locking Carabiner (one large carabiner for belaying)


ATC / Belay device (Black Diamond)


Helmet (Petzl - or you can temp use a skateboard helmet)





During the class, you will use other%26#039;s gear and figure out what you like. Some types of gear are better for different kinds of climbing (sport, trad, etc) and once you figure out what kind of climbing you want to do you will better know what kind of gear to buy.





Good Luck



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