UCD Mountaineering Club

Firstly, there's no need to panic! All of our instructors are highly experienced climbers; they're there to put you at ease and help you to enjoy your first time climbing. Everyone starts at the same place: some easy climbs on the UCD climbing wall.

Your first session: initially, we'll go through some safety - how to use the equipment properly, stretch and warm so you don't injure yourself, and what to expect when you're on the wall. Then find a wall that you like the look of (personally I'm a fan of the really easy sloped one!). There'll be an experienced climber there to tie you in to the rope, hold the other end and keep you safe and happy all the way up (and down!) the climb. Then get on the wall and use all the grips you want, until you're as high as you're comfortable going; when you decide you want to come down just tell the person on the ground (the "belayer") and they'll lower you down slowly. Climbing at the wall can be a little crowded in the first few weeks but if you keep going the wall frees up after a while and you'll be able to make full use of it.

Learning to climb: the club is fortunate to have quite a number of experienced, enthusiastic climbers who are there to coach you in the basics of moving on the wall. There are some basic rules - use your feet as much as possible and keep your body close to the wall, these apply to every climb and are the best ones to focus on as you learn to climb. More difficult climbs and different styles of climbing require different techniques so if there's a route that frustrating you, ask around (to be honest, I'd ask a girl - they tend to have much better technique - guys tend to haul themselves up with brute strength) everyone has a different way of doing problems. Note: some of the club members compete nationally and regularly climb internationally so they sound knowledgeable. They might know what they're talking about. Maybe. If you're lucky. ;)

Learning to belay: "belaying" is what the person on the ground does - your climbing buddy. They take in the rope as you go up, and then lower you slowly back down to ground when you're done. We actively encourage everyone to learn how to belay so that you can use the wall without us. Initially, you will only be allowed to belay under supervison. When you become confident you can take a belay test which entitles you to belay unsupervised at the wall during and outside of club hours.

Improving your climbing: By choosing a colour and sticking to it on a particular wall, you can climb on the graded routes. The climbs are graded starting around 4a progressing logically 4a > 4b > 4c > 5a all the way to the 7's where the best climber's in the club try their luck. The system used is the French system. Ideally start on "the slab", where the wall is less than vertical, you'll learn to use your feet here. Don't go straight to the overhang, you might just put out your shoulders trying to horse yourself up it. But it's always good fun watching some fresher guys trying desperately to do it! Wait until you have some technique for the overhang. You can practice the foot-work for overhangs on the bouldering wall. The bouldering wall does not require that you are tied in; in fact, that's the whole point! Girls are usually intimidated by the bouldering wall, don't be - it's great for handwork and technique. Be careful on the bouldering wall, it's strenuous work and if you fall awkwardly you might just hurt your ankle.

Learning to lead climb: Leading is climbing up the wall bringing the rope with you and attaching it to wall at intervals. In the UCD wall, it's what happens on the left side of the wall. Don't be in a hurry to start leading, it's a lot more difficult as a belayer and the falls can be much bigger when climbing. Lead climbing and belaying is a different matter to what you'll do initially but a necessary step if you want to lead climb outdoors. To learn to lead you have to show considerable confidence with top roping, have a good safety record, and more importantly buy the leading instructors pints! There's also a lead test that you should aim to take and pass if you intend to lead indoors unsupervised.

Learning to climb outdoors: Make friends with older club members (you'll need their gear, money, experience, and teaching) by flattering them, buying them pints, etc etc. Remember that climbing outdoors is a very serious proposal and should not be taken lightly. If you really want to get outdoors, make some friends, learn your ropework well and make people confident that you won't drop them, (literally). Someone will take you out. If all else fails, you can always get professional instruction. The training section contains details of this.