A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO ROCK CLIMBING AND BOULDERING

With more and more indoor climbing centres and outdoor areas opening up, you don’t need to live near cliffs and mountains to get involved. From indoor bouldering to outdoor lead climbing, it’s a fun but challenging way to get fit. This guide has everything you need to learn the lingo, gear up, and get started.

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What to Wear

What climbing equipment you need differs depending on whether you’re staying indoors or heading out, and whether you want to rope climb or boulder, but whatever you choose you’ll need three key pieces of kit.

Chalk Bag

A chalk bag is an essential piece of kit for any climber, helping to improve grip and boost confidence on the wall or rock. Climbers use chalk to absorb sweat and oils from their hands, which increases friction and makes it less likely that you’ll slip during a climb.

Chalk is typically carried in a small pouch—known as a chalk bag—that’s clipped or tied around your waist for easy access while climbing. There are a few different types of chalk and ways to use it:

Chalk balls: Preferred for indoor climbing as they help keep dust to a minimum and are less messy.
Loose chalk: Often used outdoors for quick and easy application, allowing you to coat your hands more thoroughly.
Liquid chalk: A mix of chalk and alcohol that dries quickly on your hands, leaving an even coating. It tends to last longer than other types, but can be more time-consuming to apply on the rock and may dry out your skin more than traditional chalk.

Choosing the right chalk and carrying method can make a big difference in your climbing experience, especially as you start to tackle more challenging routes.

Appropriate Clothing

Wearing the right clothing is crucial when it comes to rock climbing and scrambling. The most important thing to remember is that your clothing should never restrict your movement or risk catching on the rope.

For the best climbing experience, look for clothing that is:

Non-restrictive: Allows for a full range of movement, so you can stretch and reach without feeling held back.
Streamlined: Designed to avoid loose fabric that could catch on ropes or holds.
Breathable: Helps regulate your temperature by allowing air to circulate.
Sweat-wicking: Draws moisture away from your skin to keep you dry and comfortable during intense activity.

Choosing appropriate, technical clothing will help you stay comfortable and safe, letting you focus on your climb rather than your outfit.

Climbing Shoes

Climbing shoes are a fundamental piece of gear for any beginner, designed to protect your feet while providing the grip and precision needed on rock or indoor walls. Their construction is intentionally stiff and tight-fitting, which can feel uncomfortable at first, but this snugness is essential for the power and control required in climbing.

There are several key points to consider when choosing climbing shoes:

Fit: Climbing shoes should feel snug but not painfully tight. There’s a difference between a secure fit and discomfort—expect some break-in time, especially if you’re new to the sport.
Shoe style: Options range from lace-up to Velcro closures, offering different levels of adjustability and convenience.
Camber: Most climbing shoes feature a downturned (cambered) shape, which helps with grip and precision on small holds.
Brand differences: Each climbing brand offers a slightly different fit and shape, so it’s worth trying on several pairs to find what suits your feet best.
Expert advice: Visiting your local Snow+Rock store for a fitting is highly recommended, as staff can help you navigate the choices and ensure you get the right shoe for your needs.

While climbing shoes will never feel like slippers, you’ll quickly get used to their unique fit after a few sessions, and the improved performance will be well worth it.

Basic Climbing Technique

A solid grasp of basic climbing technique is essential for beginners and will set you up for success as you progress. The most important lesson to keep in mind is that footwork matters far more than where you place your arms. Where you put your feet determines your stability and efficiency on the wall.

As you start out, focus on these key technique tips:

Prioritise footwork: Pay close attention to where and how you place your feet; this has a bigger impact on your climbing than relying on your arms.
Practise traversing: Move sideways across the climbing wall, stepping down as needed. This helps you build confidence and skill with your foot placements before progressing to vertical climbing.
Three points of contact: Always try to maintain three points of contact—either two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand—on the wall or rock for better balance and control.
Body position: Lean slightly away from the wall. This gives you a clearer view of your next move and helps you plan your route more effectively.

Once you feel more comfortable with your foot and hand placements, you can begin to tackle upward movements and more challenging climbs. Mastering these basics will make your climbing safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable.

Different Types of Climbing

Indoor Bouldering

Indoor bouldering is a great way for beginners to get into climbing, offering short climbs at heights of about 3–4 metres. Because you’re always close to the ground, you can easily climb down or jump off the wall if needed, making it a safe and accessible introduction to the sport.

Key benefits and features of indoor bouldering:

No technical equipment required: You don’t need ropes, harnesses, or advanced climbing knowledge—just climbing shoes and, ideally, a chalk bag for grip.
Solo-friendly: You can boulder without a climbing partner, so it’s easy to get started on your own.
Sociable atmosphere: Bouldering gyms are known for their friendly, welcoming communities. Other climbers are often happy to offer tips or chat about different routes, making it easy to meet people and learn as you go.

Indoor bouldering is not only a fantastic workout but also a fun and supportive way to build your climbing skills and confidence.

Indoor Climbing

Indoor climbing is an excellent way for beginners to develop basic technique, build strength, and become familiar with climbing equipment in a controlled environment. It’s also a great opportunity to get comfortable with heights and to learn how to work with a belaying partner.

Indoor climbing is generally split into two main types:

Top-roping: The rope is anchored at the top of the wall, providing a secure and beginner-friendly way to climb.
Lead climbing: Climbers clip the rope into protection points as they ascend, offering a more advanced challenge once you’ve built confidence.

To get started with indoor climbing, you’ll need some essential gear:

Harness: Should be comfortable and properly fitted for safety and ease of movement.
Belay device: Allows the belayer to smoothly control the movement of the rope, keeping the climber secure.
Climbing carabiners: Used to connect the rope and belay device to the belayer’s harness.

Starting indoors is a safe, supportive way to learn the basics and gain confidence before heading outdoors or tackling more advanced climbs.

Top-Roping

Top-roping is one of the most accessible and beginner-friendly forms of climbing. In this setup, the climbing rope is anchored at the top of the wall or route.

Here’s how top-roping works:

Rope setup: The rope runs from your harness, up to an anchor at the top, and back down to your belaying partner.
Belaying partner: Your partner ties into one end of the rope and manages the slack as you climb, keeping the rope taut for safety.
Climber: You tie into the other end and ascend the wall while your partner takes up slack and controls your descent when you’re ready to come down.

This system provides a high level of security and is ideal for learning technique and building confidence on the wall.

Lead Climbing

the top for safety. Instead, the climber is responsible for clipping their rope into carabiners (also called quickdraws) attached along the route as they ascend.

Key points about lead climbing:

No top anchor: The climber brings their own rope and clips it into protection points as they move up.
Belayer’s role: The belayer manages the rope from the ground, feeding out slack as needed and catching falls.
Fall distance: Because the climber travels a certain distance between each clip-in point, falls can be longer than in top-roping, but are still limited by the belayer and rope.
Equipment: Often, you’ll need to bring your own climbing rope for lead climbing.

Lead climbing requires greater skill and confidence, as well as trust between climber and belayer, making it a natural progression after mastering top-roping.

Outdoor Bouldering

Outdoor bouldering offers a unique set of challenges and rewards compared to climbing indoors. The natural environment often makes routes more difficult, as you won’t have the advantage of brightly coloured, easy-to-spot holds or the reassurance of soft gym mats.

Key points to consider for outdoor bouldering:

Route difficulty: Holds aren’t colour coded, so finding the best hand and foot placements takes more skill and observation.
Fall protection: There are no fixed mats outdoors—always bring your own bouldering mat (crash pad) for safety.
Descent: You can’t always jump down safely. Learn how to “top out” and find a secure path down from the boulder.
Climb with others: It’s best to boulder outside with an experienced partner who can offer spotting, safety advice, and help in case of difficulty.

While outdoor bouldering can be more demanding, the sense of achievement and connection with nature make it incredibly rewarding for those ready to take the next step.

Outdoor Climbing

Outdoor climbing demands more preparation and equipment than climbing indoors. Even on warm, sunny days, you might face cold winds and rapidly changing weather conditions on exposed rock faces. Because of this, your clothing and gear need to be:

Durable: Able to withstand abrasive, jagged surfaces.
Resistant: Built to handle rough treatment and the elements.
Highly breathable: Keeps you cool and comfortable during intense activity.

Like indoor climbing, outdoor climbing is generally split into two types, but both require a more comprehensive kit list—often referred to as your rack. Essential items include:

Climbing harness
Climbing ropes
Belay devices
Quickdraws
Carabiners

Additionally, you’ll need a climbing helmet to protect against both falls and falling debris from above.

Proper planning and the right kit are key to staying safe and comfortable while enjoying the challenges and rewards of climbing outdoors.

Sport Climbing

Sport climbing is a popular style of outdoor climbing where fixed bolts are already installed in the rock. As you ascend, you simply clip your rope into these bolts for protection, making it similar in approach to indoor lead climbing.

Key points about sport climbing:

Pre-placed protection: Bolts are permanently fixed into the rock, so you don’t need to place your own gear for safety.
Clipping in: As you climb, you use quickdraws to clip your rope into each bolt, providing security in case of a fall.
Similar to indoor lead climbing: The technique and gear are closely related, making it a natural progression for those who have practiced lead climbing indoors.

Sport climbing offers a balance of adventure and safety, allowing climbers to focus on movement and technique without the added complexity of traditional gear placement.

Trad Climbing

Trad climbing (traditional climbing) is considered the most adventurous form of climbing because you set the route yourself. It requires a higher level of skill, experience, and equipment compared to other climbing styles.

Key aspects of trad climbing:

Setting your own protection: The lead climber places gear (such as cams and nuts) into cracks and fissures in the rock to protect against falls, rather than relying on pre-placed bolts.
Minimal permanent anchors: Trad routes typically have only a few fixed anchors, so most of the safety comes from the gear you place as you go.
Route cleaning: The second climber follows the route, removing all the protection placed by the lead climber.
Expertise required: Trad climbing demands strong technical knowledge and judgment to ensure placements are secure.

Always climb trad with an experienced partner for safety and guidance, as this style carries more risk and complexity than sport or indoor climbing.

Essential Climbing Safety Tips

Whatever method of climbing you choose always follow best climbing practises to ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.

Be alert and aware of other climbers
Always use the right equipment
Always safety check your knobs, rope, belay device, and harness before climbing
Ensure you trust your belayer
Stay within your limits
Test foot and handholds before using them
Wear a helmet when climbing outdoors
Avoid areas of loose rock; if a piece falls shout “rock” to warn other climbers below

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Climbing + Bouldering FAQs

Rock climbing usually involves ropes and harnesses on taller walls, while bouldering is climbing shorter walls without ropes, using crash mats for safety. Bouldering is a great entry point for beginners, requiring minimal gear and offering a social, accessible way to build strength and technique.

For bouldering, you’ll need climbing shoes, chalk, and comfortable clothing. For roped climbing, add a harness and belay device. Most gyms offer rental gear, so you can try climbing before investing in your own equipment.

Always warm up, stretch, and listen to safety briefings. Learn how to fall safely and use spotters when bouldering. For roped climbing, double-check knots and harnesses, and communicate clearly with your partner. Don’t hesitate to ask staff for help.

Start with easy routes to build confidence. Focus on using your feet effectively, maintaining balance, and moving smoothly rather than relying on arm strength. Watch experienced climbers and practice reading routes before you climb.

Climb regularly, try a variety of routes, and don’t worry about grades at first. Take rest days, stretch after sessions, and consider joining a class or workshop to learn new skills. Progress comes with practice and persistence.

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