What's the best way to learn rock climbing and mountaineering?

Question

I've seen a lot of schools advertised online particularly up in the northwestern US. Are these how most people learn? Any recomendations on which is the best? How did you learn?

Answer 1

In my opinion, the best way to learn climbing is to submerge yourself in the culture. Start out simple in climbing gyms, learn the ropes, get acquainted, ask questions; move onto the crags, learn from the people.

I've always been a hands-on person, so sitting and having to listen to people tell me what to do has never worked, I need to get out there and see what they're talking about.

I've had a few friends (my brother being one of them) take NOHLS courses, and man, you get a lot from it. It's a friendly, hands-on environment and I've seen it work for many people.

However, this is not how most people learn, most people learn from being out there, from talking to the people, from convincing trad climbers to take you out with them.

But hey, as long as you learn it - it doesn't matter.

Good luck!  

Answer 2

Honestly, most people learn by going with others and being taught by friends and other climbers and mountaineers. Many will also take an occasional class, but that isn't the primary way that most learn the majority of their climbing skills. The other way is reading about it and learning skills.

I did all three - took a climbing class, read about climbing and setting safe anchors, and was taught most of what I know by experienced climbers as we climbed everything from top rope to Mt. Whitney together.

Good Luck

Answer 3

You can seek out a club for rock climbing and ask them what you want to know. I learned by just doing it. Where I live we have bluffs and whatnot and my buds and I would climb around on them. I don't really recommend doing that. Now that I'm with the fire dept. they put me through rope rescue class and that has been a trip and a half.

Answer 4

Learn from a friend, meet people at the climbing gym, or join a club. Taking courses at a "school" is way to expensive.

Answer 5

Get out there...read books(try the book "Mountaineering the freedom of the hills" that is sort of like the bible for mountaineering), articles, join outdoor clubs so you can learn from others, Subscribe to mountaineering magazines, Get to the rock gym. soon you'll realize what works and what doesn't.

Answer 6

Well, first of all mountaineering and rock climbing are not the same thing although if you start doing some more serious mountaineering you will want to learn some rock climbing skills (as I found out on my warm-up day with my guide on Mont Blanc).

For rock climbing, go to a local climbing gym and take an introductory 2-4 day course and then you are off (having a partner helps alot here though).

Mountaining.   You need to learn how to use crampons and how to do what is called a "self arrest" with your ice axe but both of these can be  learned pretty quickly "on the mountain".    Start off with something like Mt Shasta or Mt Hood which you can do without guides but you should go with someone (always).  If you then want to go for Rainier most guiding companies will make you take a one day course befor the 2 day climb.  Ranier Mountaineering Inc used to have a monopoly on Mt. Ranier and I found them to be a little arrogant.   I've worked with  the people at International Mountain Guides (Whiteny winter climb) and run into a few guides from Alpine Ascents Int (on Kilimanjaro) and they seemed pretty organized.

summitbound  :-)

Answer 7

The best way is to join a local club. They will have all the equipment and experience people to get you started.

I learnt by joining my university club and they go on trip climbing outdoors. Experienced people will look after you and teach you everything you need to know.