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N. Vancouver, BC
Canada
393 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2004 : 2:50 PM
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Okay, I am not seeking a hiking partner but I wasn't too sure where else to put this. Last year I took a belaying course at the Parkgate Community Centre climbing wall. I had wanted to try climbing for a long time but couldn't find any friends that were up for it, so I called the centre and they said not to worry as they would pair me up with someone.
I arrive and find that my partner is a 17-year-old boy. Not a big deal, but not what I was expecting. He was a little surly but I was just excited to get on the wall so I didn't really care. The instructor went on about the importance of trust and then we got started. As the instructor demonstrated the technique he emphasized that no matter what, we should never let go of the loose end of the rope, and everything would be okay.
So I am the second person to get up the wall. I climb about 20 feet when my instructor tells me to stop so my partner can try bringing me back down. I ask the instructor if I can let go and he replies, "Let go." My partner, despite the never-let-go-of-this-end-of-the-rope speech, lets go of the rope and I come crashing down. Even though it wasn't that far and I wasn't injured (my instructor managed to catch me) except for a couple of tiny cuts on my hands, it freaked the crap out of me.
I really understood how much you have to trust your partner. Needless to say, I know longer trusted him and spent the rest of the class clinging to the wall and turning around every five seconds to see if he was paying attention. I did exchange numbers with a couple of people in the class but I never went back.
The interview with Spidergirl that someone posted got me thinking about how excited I was to try climbing so I think I would like to try it again. So anyway, is anyone else looking to try indoor climbing with a slightly climbing-phobic partner? I know my pre-ramble hasn't made it too enticing but I want to be honest about my "climbing background." You can email me directly. As an added bonus, I have one of the entertainment coupons for a two-for-one course...
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You must be the change you want to see in the world - Gandhi |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
433 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2004 : 3:12 PM
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hi Red, sent you an email. I've been looking for a climbing parter too for the last month but no one seems interested enough. Never done this before though so I need to take the lessons.
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
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 camera hauling, deli packing, stove exploder who bushwhacks ridges to false summits
South West corner of, BC
Canada
1557 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2004 : 6:56 PM
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We have quite a few rock-wall climbers here on the board. When deep autumn and winter set in and the temperatures outside drop , you can find us burning up a wall. It will be fairly easy to find a climbing partner then.
After all, we need to stay in shape for sno-shuing on the weekends. 
Here's an ironic story to tell. I started climbing last year (with much thanks to a fellow CTer) and when I got tired of renting gear I bought my own. This also happened to time in excactly when the hiking season started. The gear has yet to be used,(LOL) so I'm hoping to get back into it too! 
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Life never ceases to amaze me. |
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 double-double seeking, snow-chasing, short-cutting, vertical feet collector
4523 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2004 : 7:11 PM
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Red, I was dropped by a climbing partner as well. Makes you REALLY appreciate a partner who can actually hold the belay while you climb!
I'd love to get back into climbing. It's been a few years (one of the things I shelved when I went back to grad school in 2002). There's nothing more relaxing than picking your way, up a wall, using tiny holds to keep you there.
A lovely, lovely sport.
And, like Nomad, I have the full kit of gear - would love to train all winter so we can climb outdoors next summer.
cheers ! C Wall
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There are people who love their job, and people who hate their job.... and the difference is not the job |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
120 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2004 : 08:27 AM
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| I would also like to get back into climbing on a regular basis - I haven't been since January! Let me know if anyone wants to go to Cliffhanger in Vancouver. |
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N. Vancouver, BC
Canada
393 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2004 : 11:56 AM
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Hey everyone,
Cdanes emailed me and he is a beginner so we will take a lesson together. I would like to keep this thread active though, so we can hopefully use this as a resource to get together and climb over the winter... Once we take the lesson I will post again!
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You must be the change you want to see in the world - Gandhi |
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Richmond, BC
Canada
126 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2004 : 6:58 PM
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Where do you guys go for lesson? I have very limited experience in climbing but would love to start....something to do indoor when the moonsoon season starts.
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Pain is an indication you are still alive! -Ouch! |
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double-double seeking, snow-chasing, short-cutting, vertical feet collector
4523 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2004 : 7:48 PM
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I highly recommend The Edge in North Vancouver. Their facility is fantastic, and their instructors are phenomenal.
cheers - C Wall
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There are people who love their job, and people who hate their job.... and the difference is not the job |
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N. Vancouver, BC
Canada
393 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2004 : 1:20 PM
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Cdanes and I decided to go to Cliffhanger on West 1st as we each have a two-for-one coupon for a three-hour lesson there. If I remember correctly, it is two hours of belaying and one hour climbing technique. As we have two certificates, you are welcome to the other one if you can find a partner. We are going to be there on September 30th at 6:00 PM. Please just email me if you want more information.
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You must be the change you want to see in the world - Gandhi |
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4 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2004 : 6:36 PM
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Its been months since I've found myself hanging from the end of a rope. I've got a bit of indoor experience, but no one to hold the other end of the rope for me . I'd love to get back into it, keep me posted!! |
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Herbal tea drinkin, tree huggin, view seeking, tortoise paced, ultralite wannabe
Vancouver, BC
Canada
2847 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2004 : 3:12 PM
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Hey Tracy, just give me a shout. I usually climb on Thursdays at CH in Vancouver but I have the occasional wednesday opening up, too. For anyone else in this thread, I'd be happy to have you come climb and I am a VERY RELIABLE and TRUSTWORTHY belayer, as many folks will testify to. What I won't do is climb with a newbie who hasn't gotten their belay ticket yet unless we have someone else along who has, otherwise I can't climb. Was that clear!? Sometimes my sentences get a bit complex . C Wall, if you want someone to climb with at The Edge, I'd love to go there and check it out. I've never been and heard it's a really great place.
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HikeOn,
Rich
Only 2 things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former-Einstein |
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3 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2004 : 5:45 PM
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I live in New Westminster and I'd love to start going to the gym again.
Cliffhanger in Coquitlam is great.
http://www.cliffhangerclimbing.com/coquitlam/home.html
If there is anyone in my neck of the woods that would like a climbing partner, I could use a little push to get me off my couch.
I could also make the Vancouver Cliffhanger after work on a weekday evening.
Byron. |
Edited by - byronwatt on 09/21/2004 6:45 PM |
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Alberta-based choss climbin', flame throwin', rappel lovin', ass talkin' hater who doesn't like "Gumby" for a descriptor
1100 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2004 : 10:13 PM
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climing gyms suck. Good way to stay in shape though. Climbing gyms breed incompetent climbers. They are the plague of rock climbing. I forsee more outdoor accidents. MUAHAHAHAHAHA  RELAX...I am kidding....kinda...not really 
Seriously though, more than 1 of you have been dropped by a belayer? Some people should not climb 
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Edited by - kman on 09/22/2004 10:33 AM |
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New Westminster, BC
Canada
27 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2004 : 09:02 AM
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I'd love to come out climbing. I moved here from Victoria and I have yet to find a climbing partner. Also Byron, I'm in New Westminster too. I haven't been to the cliffhanger in coquitlam just the Vancouver one but I'd be up for going.
Sam
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1038 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2004 : 4:49 PM
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I seem to have some climbing equipment that doesn't get enough use. I'll keep an eye on this thread and see what develops.
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"Hope for the best; plan for the worst" |
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Sardis, BC
Canada
73 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2004 : 8:17 PM
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Hey Guys,
I also have just begun to climb. Have my own harness and shoes. Took a days lesson at Kumsheen in Lytton and went out for the day with a couple with 12 years experience to Squamish a couple of weekends ago.
I am from the Sardis area, so I am currently taking lessons at Flash Point in Abbotsford. If anyone is interested and is from the Chwk/Sardis/Abbotsford area, I would love to meet you for climbs beginning in the gym.
Allana |
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Richmond, BC
Canada
126 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2004 : 12:28 PM
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Cliffhanger,
Hi all,
I got a 2 for 1 coupon at The Cliffhanger from Tracy but so far, I can't find anyone who can take advantage of that coupon with me. The coupon expires on November 1 and I would like to use it. If anyone is interested in taking a lesson, just let me know (preferably this up coming week).
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Pain is an indication you are still alive! -Ouch! |
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Climbing partner
