Transitioning from Indoor to Outdoor Climbing
Transitioning from indoor to outdoor climbing is an exciting journey. However, the routes aren't color-coded, the bolts are further apart, and finding the base of your chosen route is trickier.
Everything seems more difficult when climbing outdoors, but it can be just like climbing indoors if you know what to expect and plan ahead— minus the air conditioning, plumbing, retail shop, cushioned floors, lighting, couches, water fountain, etc. You get the idea. We promise it's fun!
What to Expect When Transitioning from Indoor to Outdoor Climbing
1. Route Finding
Route finding is more difficult outside. Reading where to go can be difficult when the rock is all one shade of color.
If you're sport climbing, look for bolts. If you're bouldering, look for all the chalk. In both cases, use a guidebook. A guidebook or smartphone app, Mountain Project will be your best friend when finding climbs outside. Mountain Project typically has more updated information with user-submitted comments to help you navigate crags.
A guidebook often provides detailed information about the area's history and provides maps to help you navigate the crags.
2. Lack of Amenities
You don't need to be told you're climbing outside, right? Away from amenities? And that outside has no plumbing or shops filled with snacks?
We didn't think so, but it doesn't hurt to reinforce the idea that you'll need to fend for yourself with granola bars and trail mix.
Dress according to the weather, but bring clothing in case of possible weather. Temps can drop drastically outside, and rain can move in quickly. Be prepared for the weather to change, and always bring a headlamp or light to help guide your way in the dark.
Bring a wag bag if you're climbing in a popular area or an area that requires such, and do your part by trying to minimize your chalk spills.
3. Are Climbing Grades Harder Outdoors?
If your gym grades consistently with the difficulty of outdoor routes, they're not harder. However, they could feel harder.
How can a climbing grade feel harder outdoors than indoors? For starters, you likely can't see every single hold and foot chip from the ground. Reading an entire route you've never climbed from the base of the wall, like at the gym, is more challenging outdoors. You won't have your beta dialed in before you hop on the wall, making it harder to figure out what to do on the fly.
Bolts spaced further apart can influence your mental game, too. Hardware is expensive; developers typically only use as many bolts as necessary. This can result in bolts with healthy runouts that may make you feel more scared than you should be, adding to the perceived difficulty of a route.
No, climbing grades aren't typically harder than indoors (at the right gym). They just require some getting used to.
4. The "Approach"
You must walk to get to the crag. The parking lot isn't next to the front door.
The "approach" is simply the hike/walk from your car to the climbing. Roadside crags have practically no approach, while others can require a mile or two (sometimes much longer) of hiking to reach.
Wear shoes you can hike in, such as approach shoes, designed with climbing rubber to stick to rocks better. Anything you can hike in will be suitable, though. If you start crossing talus fields regularly, revisit approach shoes.
5. Safety First
There is no orientation to receive, belay test to pass, or waiver to sign when climbing outdoors. Anybody has the option to walk up to a route and climb it. It sounds a little scary, but it's extraordinary how wild some places can still be today.
Climbers are responsible for their own well-being. Choose to climb with those you trust; if you must climb with new people, there's nothing wrong with asking them clarifying questions about their experience.
Next to ability, knowledge is your best friend outside. Knowledge of best practices and how to safely navigate any scenario you may run into can help you in tricky situations.
Regardless of how difficult climbing outdoors can be, it's worth the extra knowledge needed to be safe and should be experienced by every climber. Consider taking an Intro to Climbing Outdoors class or hiring a guide to show you the ropes.
Some aspects of outdoor climbing may be more complicated than indoor climbing, such as getting dirt in your shoes. However, you'll experience how transformative it is to be one with nature while scaling the side of a cliff in solitude. Enjoy your transition to outdoor climbing, and remember to prioritize safety.
