The Dos and Don’ts of Finding a Climbing Partner
Finding a climbing partner is like discovering a hidden gem in a vast landscape. It’s a thrilling journey with many variables to consider. You’ll likely ask yourself a few questions: Do our schedules align? Are we looking for the same thing from climbing? Do they seem like a nice person? And most importantly, are they safe? The excitement of finding that perfect climbing partner is unparalleled.
A climbing partner can either enhance or jeopardize your climbing experience. The wrong partners can flake on you, only want to climb their projects, have no consideration for yours, or, unfortunately, not use the safest tactics. Safety should always be a top priority in climbing partnerships, and choosing your partner wisely is crucial.
The climbing community is a vibrant and tightly-knit group of individuals bonded by a shared passion for the unique sport of climbing. With the influx of new climbers, it can be daunting to decide when to take the leap and climb with someone new. However, remember, you’re not alone in this journey. The community is here to guide and support you. Follow along for the dos and don’ts of finding a climbing partner, and feel the reassuring sense of security that comes from being part of a larger group.
Ask questions!
DO ask how long somebody has been climbing and what their experience level is.
You want to get a feel for somebody’s climbing knowledge before you hop on a route with them at the belay. Ask your new potential partner questions to determine if they’re an excellent fit to climb with.
Some potential questions you can ask:
How long have you been climbing?
Where did you learn how to climb/belay?
What kind of belay device do you use?
How often do you inspect your gear?
If any of their answers don’t sit well with you, there is nothing wrong with not wanting to climb with them. If a 5.12 lead climber is looking for a partner, they won’t ask somebody who just took a belay course to catch them on their project. Pick your partner wisely.
DON’T assume that everybody in the gym knows what they’re doing. Climbing has become extremely popular; many newcomers want to identify with the climbing community. Every climber is part of the climbing community, of course. Still, many people like to portray themselves as experienced climbers even though they have only been bouldering for a few months.
It takes countless hours of practice to understand safe climbing and belaying techniques and how to identify them quickly from the ground. Pairing up with someone after learning their name can lead to avoidable accidents. Take your time choosing somebody to trust your life with!
How to find a climbing partner
- Approach method
The quick and dirty way to find a climbing partner is to approach somebody at the gym and ask if they’d like to climb together! A tip is to observe this climber belaying before you ask, or you could get into a hairy situation. You can learn a lot about a person by watching them belay. If you’re unsure about their experience, ask them about their climbing history and safety practices.
Remember, you can ask the above questions before allowing them to give you a catch. Go with your gut. If you feel something is wrong when asking them about their experience, there is nothing wrong with changing your mind.
- Partner forms
Many climbing gyms have an option to fill out a partner form. Typically, they’ll have a bulletin board posted in a common area where you can seek out potential climbing partners. That is a great way to search for partners without scouring the facility.
A good partner form will include the climber’s name, age, experience level, availability, and even their climbing goals. Don’t see a viable partner on the board at your gym? Fill out a form yourself and stick it up there; maybe somebody else is looking but hasn’t filled out a form yet.
- Online
Finding partners online is great because you can reach a wider audience. Most people are online today, so you have a higher chance of finding somebody to climb with than if you sat in the gym all day.
Also, if you plan to travel to a new climbing area where you don’t know anybody, finding an online partner is your go-to option. Plenty of forums and groups exist to help you find partners.
Use Mountain Project’s Partner Finder! This platform allows you to search for climbing partners based on specific criteria. You can narrow your search by age, location, the grade you climb, and what style of climbing. It’s a great tool to find like-minded climbers in your area.
You can also use Facebook to search for climbing groups nearby! Plenty of gym and outdoor groups are filled with climbers searching for partners.
Reddit is also a great resource! Just post where you’re looking for a partner, and you’ll find people from all over the world.
