Indoor Climbing MANCHESTER - Beginners welcome!
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This event is intended as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community; everyone will be warmly welcomed
Join us for an evening of climbing in one of the UK's top climbing centres. Whether you are new to climbing or a seasoned climber, this centre offers something for everyone with a huge selection of routes including top rope, lead and auto belay.
Prefer to boulder? That's well catered for as well, with an extensive modern bouldering area ensuring there is plenty to keep you busy, or you can swap between climbing and bouldering on the same night.
Climbing is the main focus of the event, but this is also a great chance to meet other members and build lasting friendships. Many Outdoor Lads members join through climbing, so if you're new to the group and want to know more, come along and chat over a cuppa during the tea and cake break.
What to expect on your first climb with us?
If you are an experienced climber and have passed the centre's proficiency test, we'll pair you up with a climbing buddy and you'll be out exploring the centre in no time.
If you have never climbed before or think you could do with a refresher, we offer supervised climbing sessions with one of our leaders, subject to availability. That session will focus on introducing you to climbing, making sure you get plenty of time on the wall whilst also showing you how to belay safely. Due to the centre's rules, we are limited in the number of climbers the leader is able to supervise in each session so if you think you may need a supervised session, please contact the leader before signing up to make sure there is enough space.
As a general guide, if you answer "no" to any of the following questions, you should opt for a supervised session:
- Can you fit a climbing harness correctly?
- Can you tie into a rope using the correct knots?
- Can you belay and lower down another climber correctly and confidently?
After a few supervised sessions, you should be ready to complete the centre's proficiency test and once that has been passed, you'll be able to climb with the rest of the group.
Everything else you need to know
You will need to register with Big Depot before your first visit to the centre but you only need to do this once. If you are an experienced climber, you can save time and do this online here, selecting the 18+ unsupervised option. This also applies if you just want to boulder, just select the relevant options during the registration. If you are a beginner and require a supervised session, the leader will help register you when you are at the centre.
Photos provided by Sieh and Dexmonster.
What to bring
Whether you do Bouldering or Climbing you will need Climbing Shoes.
Indoor Climbing will require a harness, screw gate carabiner and a belay plate. If you wish to lead climb please bring your own rope - this centre does not rent ropes.
If you have it, chalk would also be useful.
Any vital kit you need can be rented from the centre at additional cost although we have a selection of harnesses, carabiners and belay plates so please ask the leader if you can borrow one before hiring these.
Make sure to wear something that allows you to move around freely, like shorts/joggers and a t-shirt. Jeans are not recommended. If you have any OutdoorLads branded clothing then please try and wear this as it will give the group a good level of visibility. Any jewellery such as rings, watches, chains etc. must be removed to help prevent injury.
Climbing centres can be quite dusty due to the use of climber's chalk so please remember to bring your inhaler/medication if you need any.
Lockers are available, but you'll need your own padlock.
Food & drink
There is a cafe area at the centre where hot and cold drinks along with snacks can be purchased. We tend to take a break during the climb for a drink and cake.