solo climbing

Question
Jeff,
 I've been lead climbing off and on (mainly off) for several years. My problem is there's no climbing near by so I have to plan my trips for vacation. My partner has bailed on me a couple of times leaving me unable to climb so now I want to learn to climb solo, but roped. Is there any way to do this, and if so, could you give me a step by step or recommend a learning source. Thank you,
William

Answer
William, You are facing the same problem we all face. I am often in the same position as you. As I get older, it's harder to find people who still want to climb and climb hard.

I answer to your question. There are a couple soloing devices out there for people like you one is called the Soloist for roped solo free climbing the other is called the Solaid for roped solo aid climbing.

We know and accept that climbing with partners is hard and dangerous. Climbing solo is harder and more dangerous. There is obviously no one around to help if you get injured.

There are a few books on the market that talk about solo climbing and the soloing devices have instruction manuals that come with them.  DO NOT climb solo with GriGri's or Jumars or other Ascenders. The solo devices recommend a chest harness too.

The process is simple. Tie in, climb, you also must tie in short on a piece of rope behind you.  You climb and place pro. You stop at and anchor and tie off. rappel down and clean your pro then jumar back up. You climb everything twice.  Of course there are more details of what I just told and instruction manuals can help.   

Where do you live and where is your climbing area of choice?

Hope this helps
Jeff