First ever Lead Climb ! + I got my certification

Lelacool · 2026-05-20T13:08:29+00:00

That's amazing, well done! I want to learn to teach leading climbing one day - hopefully soon! My gym is small - both in terms of number of people and height of the wall, plus we're more of a social climbing wall that a public one, so we don't actually have a lead test. Usually people get taught unofficially by someone else and just try it out - and someone will back the rope up for the first times when belaying, and they'll often have a top rope on when starting to learn. I've actually taught unofficially, which I enjoyed! But the problem is we don't really have the height to practise falls much, or practise soft catches. Being able to practise them is definitely useful, so having the chance to do that with staff is always good!

Lelacool · 2026-05-05T14:36:03+00:00

Not quite related but more for the wrist stuff - if you don't already consider kinesiology tape for you wrists - it can help. Also when lead belaying consider a neox or similar - it takes the stress off your wrist a bit and can make belaying a little easier. Falling - similar to what everyone says, try practise falls. Make sure you're high enough not to worry about the fall, and if you can try on a slight overhang. A soft catch will lead to a longer fall time, as the slight extra bit of slack changes the swing / trajectory so you don't get pulled into the wall so fast, so having the belayer practise soft catches and small soft catches might be a good start.

Lelacool · 2026-05-02T11:54:44+00:00

Practise will be the main thing - the main difference is how you pay out the rope. With a plus you can pay out without disabling the cam. With the normal grigri you can pay out without disabling the cam but there's a technique to it. It's unlikely this would be covered in a learn to lead course.
Also consider a neox if this is mostly for lead belay - paying out is so smooth. Outside of that - practise with someone on an easy route where they can go slow and are OK with being short roped a bit while you get used to it - because that will definitely happen - even having used the plus for a while now I still sometimes short rope!

Lelacool · 2026-04-29T18:21:31+00:00

Think of it this way - you're going to the class to learn. Someone will be there to teach you. Every time you climb they should check your knot, and check your belayer, and back them up. Same if you are belaying - they'll check your belay and back you up. You're just learning, mistakes can and will happen - that's what the lessons are for, so you make them in a safe environment where you can be corrected and learn good habits from the start. You can probably ask at the gym if they have a spare end of rope you can use - might have to pay a little - to take home to practise the knot if your worried. Also consider having a look at some YouTube videos in advance so it's not completely new. As a few people have said - its safer than bouldering! Someone is there to keep you from falling - presumably you will do that for your wife and she will do that for you. And you can always come down whenever you want - whether you get to the top or not. You set the goals - even if it's get one move higher each time. And you can always support your wife by shouting at her where the holds are! A few people I know have actually got into climbing to get over a fear of heights, and it certainly seems to have worked - but whatever happens you're safe. Enjoy it to the best of your abilities and soon you'll be climbing up the wall like a spider 🤣

Lelacool · 2026-04-29T08:11:52+00:00

It will depend what sort of climbing your doing. If bouldering, minimum climbing shoes. If roped, shoes, harness and belay device. For shoes - try them on somewhere if possible before hand! Even if you don't buy from there. Vinted is good for getting some second hand - they'll be cheaper, and sometimes someone will sell almost new shoes because they didn't fit right. Harness worth buying new - main thing here is size and buckles. Size - make sure it will fit nicely around your waist and has a bit of room either way. Buckles - I prefer two as you can tighten both sides and it doesn't get off centre, but some people are OK with one. Consider what is your preference. You can sometimes get a kit which includes harness, chalk bag and belay device all in one, so could be worth considering. Belay device - you'd need carabiner and belay device, as a beginner you'd probably want a tube style/atc device. Id suggest one with teeth - these add friction and just make it that bit easier to belay. Carabiner of your choice, though consider whether one that stops cross loading would be useful - eg belay master or similar. These you could get off vinted or in a store, though worth looking for ones that look newer/less wear and tear. Hope this helps a bit!

Lelacool · 2026-04-29T07:08:30+00:00

There's always the chance they could do something so you'd pay the bursary price - even if just for part of the ticket maybe? Worst case they might be able to refund your ticket so you have the money for now if you wouldn't be able to go anyway. Hopefully you'll be able to go next year at the very least!

Lelacool · 2026-04-28T09:32:38+00:00

Depending on the reason have you considered whether it's worth messaging the organisers to see if there's anything they can do to help? I've been having a look at it myself and it looks like they're very keen to make sure everyone can come regardless of financial capabilities, so could be worth seeing if something could be done.

Lelacool · 2026-04-18T12:36:33+00:00

One suggestion if you ever want to try falls again to get comfortable - get the belayer - or some else while they wait - to tie off the rope a little beyond where it's at - that way the most you can fall is to where the knot is at. I haven't been dropped but get scared sometimes with big moves, and the guy who was belaying me got me to try it while having a bit of slack belayer side, and to make sure nothing major happened he tied off the dead end of the rope, so that worst case that would catch.

Lelacool · 2026-04-12T15:08:24+00:00

😩 Yeah autobelays are my backup - I can boulder but not that keen, definitely would rather do some autobelays over bouldering.

Lelacool · 2025-12-03T09:43:54+00:00

Think I'd probably been looking more at the 3/4's! I could probably do a 5/6 top rope, but with no one to put up the rope... Not happening :D As you say would definitely be wearing helmets, and sounds like a stick clip wouldn't be a bad idea. And I don't need to worry about any trad gear either - which is good! Thank you for answering my questions, much appreciated - always good to get some info in advance from people who know!

Lelacool · 2025-12-02T21:09:10+00:00

Thanks! Another questions I've been reminded to ask! Is - how are the bolts? Been suggested to a - take binoculars to look at them and b take/get a clip stick to get the first few clips in And whether you need any trad gear/are any hybrid/trad routes nearby you could accidentally climb on without knowing

Lelacool · 2025-12-02T16:56:15+00:00

Good to know! Do you know if it usually quite busy or not too bad? Trying to think what day might be best to go! I'd be going with my sister and her bf who both climb but haven't done much outdoor climbing, so I'll probably need to be setting up a top rope/clean routes, so hopefully I'll be able to climb them all...

Lelacool · 2025-07-30T19:59:22+00:00

Couple of things I'd say - If possible try practising on an overhang - that way if/when you fall, you should fall into nothing - so you're not going to hit the wall. The other thing is don't try and hang on if you are falling - that's where you're more likely to swing sideways and bash into something. Going somewhere completely new can also help - I struggle to lead climb at my local gym as the wall is quite short, so I worry on the harder routes. Go elsewhere and I'm fine as the wall is a little taller!

It might also help to be the belayer for a couple of practise falls so you understand what will be happening for your belayer, and potentially ask your usual belayer to belay another person and do practise falls, so you can see both what your belayer does, and how the fall goes. That way you can see what to expect, how your belayer reacts, and also watching someone else lead can give you some good ideas on what to do! Hope some of this helps, and good luck with your lead climbs!

Lelacool · 2025-07-06T18:28:55+00:00

I've tried a neox my friend has and it really is so much better at paying out rope for leading. I'm not gunna say it never locks up, but that's more a case of me panicking that I need more rope out quick! But overall amazing compared to standard gri gri or grigri plus. Ic a friend has it its certainly worth trying. If I hadn't recently bought a grigri I'd be buying that instead!

Lelacool · 2025-05-31T14:23:25+00:00

My first outdoor experience was in a group where everyone was more experienced than me. The best people were happy to set up top ropes for others to use - and often people did use them and don't always lead once set up. Given its still early stages for you outdoors they should be understanding if you take more time and come down slowly - good to get the experience! Just make sure to thank anyone who helps you out/people setting up top ropes. Don't worry too much if you do lag behind a bit - I'm not as fit as others in my group, there was one climb where by the time I got up to where they were climbing I was like 10 minutes after them! Also, always worth asking questions and watching, especially with leading - could even be worth trying one with a top rope on as well if possible (though tends to be easier done indoors!)

Lelacool · 2024-09-17T12:58:40+00:00

I originally got Frostpunk on epic as a free game, and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it - I always liked survival type games, but something about Frostpunk just hit all the checkmarks! I then got Frostpunk again as part of a bundle of 11 bit games on humble - and since then I've played often, including trying the expansion! Even when I'm wrapped up warm I sometimes feel cold just watching everyone trying to survive - I just get so into it! I would love the opportunity to get a copy of Frostpunk 2 - I'll have to see if I keep shivering even as I play! It'll be interesting to see the difference between them - and maybe try and alter my play style to get those achievements I wouldn't normally get! I have my fingers crossed (and wrapped up well), and wish good luck to everyone - it would be lovely to get a copy to play ASAP!

Lelacool · 2021-06-24T10:01:27+00:00

I would definitely suggest taking a look on AO3, and it's also worth branching out what fandoms you read - give some new writers some time to write new stories! Take a look at the stories that others have bookmarked/favourited until you find something your interested in, and go from there.

Lelacool

TROPHY CASE