Climbiversary the First
Climbiversary the First
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6th May 2025
by Zoe H
by Zoe H
You might have heard, if you've ever spoke to me for more than a minute, that I'm a climber. I'm obsessed, I admit. So when I was tricked into writing about the first anniversary of my journey down the rabbit-hole of climbing, of course I couldn't stop myself from reluctantly doing so.
Common Wheel
Common Wheel
Towards the end of April 2024, I was asked by our own Eleanor whether I'd be interested in trying a 10 week course as an introduction to climbing with the lovely people over at Common Wheel. I'd secretly wanted to give the sport ago for some time but didn't think it was something 'someone like me' could do. I was convinced that the vibe was similar to that of skateboarding back in the 90's, and I guess there was one way to find out for sure.
I hadn't realised just how out of shape I was until that first week. I left shaking, and not just from the anxiety. My hands were torn to shreds and I was exhausted, but already I knew that this was 'me'.
The Common Wheel staff, Kath; along with Colette (an instructor at the gym) were enthusiastic and passionate about the sport and super helpful. I really got the impression that climbing wasn't a hobby, it was something that took over your life. And I was already kind of OK with that happening.
The 10 week course introduced us to bouldering, auto-belays and top-rope climbing and belaying. One of the last sessions there, I remember asking Colette about the other type of climbing I'd seen at the gym - lead climbing. I wanted to do it. I got the climbing equivalent of "maybe when you're older".
Gnarly Financial Crisis
Gnarly Financial Crisis
It took roughly two of the ten lessons for me, with another Flourish-er, to decide that we were hooked. We started our own climbing gang, picked out our own climbing shoes and memberships; and started showing up before the instructors to climb while we awaited the lesson.
Over the weeks and months, we added harnesses and more to our collection of equipment. Our climbing gang went from two and a half to four. Our gang formed alliances with other gangs. This passion was far more sociable than I had expected. I had thought I'd spend most of my time with my earbuds in blocking out the world; instead I spent as much time chatting, strategizing and cheering on others as I did on the wall myself.
Climb Scotland
Climb Scotland
The lessons had long ended and we were definitely climbers in our own right, while admittedly we weren't going to be winning comps any time soon we knew we were committed. Later in the year we were invited to climbing days organised by Climb Scotland because of our relation to Common Wheel. We got our first taste of climbing outdoors and later I got my first taste of the elusive lead climb. One of the instructors agreed to teach me some of the base techniques I'd need to safely do the discipline, hearing the term Death Clip for the first time (thanks Callum) in the process.
2025
2025
Time passed, we climbed, 2-3 times a week, sometimes more. We got better and better, but there was always so much more to learn. My vague goal was to learn as many different styles of climbing as I could. I couldn't help but keep lead climbing as a major target, in my mind it would open up so many more options.
As 2025 rolled in I decided - it was time - I set myself a soft deadline, the first half of the year. The rest of the gang agreed (thankfully) and we set about solidifying our skills and arranging dates we were all available.
Another opportunity presented itself while we worked towards our goal. Dry-tooling. Little did we know, as we practiced away at the Glasgow Climbing Centre, that below our feet laid the only dry tooling facility in the UK. Me and a certain shade of green got ourselves booked on an induction course and got qualified to train in the basement.
Wait, what are you on about?!
Wait, what are you on about?!
Bouldering is climbing, indoor or out on routes that are a few metres tall. Rather than using ropes these are usually climbed without safety gear - relying on a crash mat to protect you from a fall.
Top Rope is climbing a taller wall, the indoor ones in Glasgow run up to 10 metres, these routes already have a rope available to use. Two people are required - one to climb the wall, another to belay them - to catch them if they fall.
Auto-Belay we use a belay device to stop a climber from falling. An auto-belay is similar to a Top Rope only the belayer is replaced by a large seatbelt-like device that lowers you to the floor when you let go of the wall.
Dry-tooling is the sport equivelent of climbing on ice. We use axes and spiked boots to climb around specially made courses.
Lead-climbing is comparible to top rope, the difference being that there is no rope. As the climber you are responsible for threading your own rope as you climb. In this situation the belayer is responsible for both giving and taking rope, and has to be able to catch much more dangerous (exciting) falls.
End bit
End bit
So here we are, the 6th of May, my climbiversary. I am an OK climber, with a load to improve. I know how to do a load of different types of climbing, with a load more to learn. I've been horrified at the cost of some climbing gear, and I'm sure there is a load more left to shock me. One thing I won't need to learn, is lead climbing. I finish my training this week, one year after first touching a climbing wall.
I'll always be grateful to Flourish House as well as Common Wheel for giving me the support, confidence and encouragement to discover this part of myself. And yes, climbing kind of does feel like skateboarding in the 90's.
Song recommendation: No Cigar - Millencolin
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