Mentorship in Climbing

With the explosion of climbing recently, this is a topic I feel like I need to talk about. Most of us experienced climbing for the first time in a climbing gym, fell in love, and then began climbing outside. At least, that was the case for me.

Before I get into my main point, let me tell you a little bit about my story, and the mentors who may not know that they were my mentors. last year, I met the first person who would really mentor me (shout out to my dear friend Tim Foote); He took my climbing partner and I out bouldering and then sport climbing. He taught me how to place draws on a route, find the best belay stance, clean a route, and maybe the most important part: crag etiquette and ethics. This was the first person I had met that truly dedicated themselves to teaching me, and I'll always be thankful for that.

Fast forward to meeting my other half, Steph, who within 1 hour of meeting me invited me to go climb at Red River Gorge with her. Steph is one of the only people I know who began her climbing career outdoors, and has spent years climbing out west. In our week together in Kentucky I learned more LNT principles, 2 different ways to clean a route (on top of what Tim already taught me), how to rappel, and also how to not be a giant baby about taking lead falls. (Jokes on her though, I don't get to lead often so I'm still a baby)

Now here's what I have to say, I love climbing, and I love seeing new people fall in love with climbing. What I don't love is the influx of inexperienced climbers threatening our access to some of our favourite climbing areas. The best way to solve this is mentorship, which seems like a no-brainer but it has severely fallen away in the recent years. I'm one of the people who spends hours watching videos and reading articles, I basically taught myself how to lead climb and belay before my friend Tim even got the chance, however there were still so many things I hd no idea I even needed to learn.

To the experienced climber: PLEASE pay it forward, someone taught you how to be the awesome, skilled human you are, help someone else reach that. I know it can be exhausting and it's okay to want to go out with only experienced climbers and to be selfish and work your projects. I understand. I feel that. Do that. But also take time to teach the next generation, all it takes is investing time into one climber, you may find your new favorite partner, or they'll go on and mentor a new climber after. Either way, you've done your part in preserving our climbing culture. If you're going to complain about the gumbys at your favourite crag, do something about it.

To the inexperienced climber: I know you want to get outside so badly that you don't care who you go with, but you should care. Find someone willing to teach you, and be willing to learn. If you go out with people you don't really know they won't know what you can/can't do yet. Which leads you to either being put in situations you aren't ready for or they may not be willing to teach and you'll end up sitting out a lot. Build a relationship with an experienced climber, be a sponge, ask questions. Also, just a side note, there's nothing wrong with hiring a guide company when you're new, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.