Look ma! I can climb!

[brdgt]

A few months ago my climbing partner and I decided to try out the climbing wall at Union South. Nick took some pictures :)



It was actually pretty good.



The only weird part was that the routes were auto-belay and we're used to standing under our partner, belaying them and offering them beta.

Comments

[emily-hahn.livejournal.com]

Those auto-belay things make me nervous, even if they're 100% safe. First time I was on one, I couldn't let go of the rope with my hands simply because I'm so used to have a belayer do the slow and steady release during descent.

[alexeye.livejournal.com]

i have never used an auto-belay - they have them at this one gym in the suburbs, but mostly for the really short/training routes.

(we should totally ditch the boys on my "honeymoon" and go climbing. heh.)

[brdgt.livejournal.com]

It's a cool idea for if your partner is out of town, but yeah, I don't like it (mostly because if you fall you have to start all over ;)

[c-maxx.livejournal.com]

That's a tall old wall you were climbing there...

On a manual belay, do they snub the line around a bollard or something? It looks like the auto is fighting you (or lifting) part of the time.

[brdgt.livejournal.com]

I just use a belay device like this: http://www.rei.com/product/809737/black-diamond-atc-guide-belay-device

You take a bite of rope, loop it in one side, and attach it all to your harness with a carabiner.

How to Belay When Rock Climbing -- powered by www.ehow.co.uk

The auto doesn't fight you, but if you fall it immediately lowers you and you have to start all over.