Rock Climbing Classes

Question
Hi Rob,

I red through one of you explanations about the various classes in Rock climbing and I am totally bowled out. Now i am very much interested in taking up Rock climbing as my hobby. I stay in Pittsburgh and would want to know if there are any formal classes that I can attend to learn the basics of the same? I am more fascinated by Snow rock climbing as well as the normal rock climbing. Can you help me in this regard?

Thanks...Siva

Answer
Dear Siva,

Climbing is a great sport, but it entails obvious risks.  It's best to find good instruction and you've shown your intelligence by seeking it out.  There are few dumb living climbers.  I advise that you start by visiting a local climbing gym.  You can get a feel for the sport indoors under safely controlled conditions.  The gym likely has local references for expanded outdoor instruction.  I have no idea what kind of rock you've got in Pennsylvania, though I had a good climbing partner who hailed from there, somewhere out west.  Here's a web and street addresss:

www.theclimbingwall.com
7501 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
(412) 247-7334

You can also try searching the site below for guides or instruction in your part of the world.  These folks will respond to questions, too.

http://www.americanalpineclub.org/

If you'd like to go straight to the source and can arrange a vacation in California, I suggest heading for Yosemite Valley.  I took training with these folks more than thirty years ago and it has served me well.  

Yosemite Mountaineering School
Curry Village
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
+1 209 372 8344

They'll send you
information by mail

Yours,

Robert Walton

P.S.  Ice climbing is not something you should jump into without first climbing on rock.  I've done a little bit of it, but I don't like dealing with the cold.  To climb ice safely, you have to add several skill sets to those you've developed as a rock climber.  It's best to acquire knowledge of dealing safely with the vertical world on something that isn't cold, wet and slick.