I started climbing only about 5 months ago now, and I began with bouldering in gyms. As of now, I’ve expanded to… top roping in gyms. That’s all I’ve done so far. But, after hearing stories from gym employees and gear shop employees about how amazing actual outdoor climbing is, I’ve been really feeling the urge to get my butt outside and try to climb some real routes.
To me, though, that continues to feel like a very daunting task. The hardest route I’ve climbed in a gym was a 5.10c, which, while it was certainly difficult for me to complete, is certainly not a very insane difficulty. On top of that, and despite watching this video, the gear and experience necessary is just not something I entirely understand. Even if I were to find a guide or someone else with a ton of experience who could take me, I’ve never even been lead climbing in a gym, so I’d likely have to find a place I could top rope while still being outside. After watching this video, however, I feel like I have a bit more of a solid understanding as to how outdoor climbing, as well as lead roping and multi-pitch climbing, happens to work.
Not only does Noah Kane, who made this video, do a great job at explaining what’s needed, how routes are planned, and how it’s all completed, he also explains that he’s only been climbing for three years, and yet he’s already managed to do some pretty sweet climbs and make the sport more or less his entire life. If you have the time, I encourage you to check out the rest of his channel. He puts together some very well made and well produced short films for his audience (I say short film, rather than short video, mostly because of how well they’re made and how much effort he clearly puts into them). If you’re just getting into climbing, or you’ve never climbed before, this video could act as a very solid push in the right direction for you. Also, if you’ve never climbed, I highly encourage you to give it a shot. It’s a ton of fun, and a fantastic workout.
Image Credit: Noah Kane on YouTube