If you are truly curious and you want to expand your knowledge such that you can more safely operate within a wider variety of top access scenarios, consider investing in some of these books:

• Rock Climbing: Mastering Basic Skills
  
• Rock Climbing: The AMGA Single Pitch Manual
  
• Rock Climbing Anchors: A Comprehensive Guide Book
  
  Sure, you may certainly get by in life perfectly fine with substantially less knowledge, but if you are posting here with a question as thoroughly written out as the one you have here, you are likely interested in having a larger "toolkit" to feel more confident when approaching these types of situations. These books (among others) will, without a doubt, greatly enhance your anchor building and risk management "toolkit".
  
  Consider, for instance, that if you are carrying a static "setup rope" for top rope anchors, there are numerous ways to leverage it to establish both a high master point (away from the edge) and an instructor tether to allow yourself to control your movement around, near, and over the edge without exposing yourself to the risk of falling while you establish a low master point over the edge for a top rope anchor. Sometimes this may be overkill and sometimes it may be precisely what you need to feel confident in this type of situation. Having this knowledge on tap allows you to make more informed decisions.
  
  Two examples of these types of systems are
  
  
• the backside system
  
• and perhaps more awesomely the three in one.
  
  If you want to learn more about those systems, the SPI manual has a reasonable primer on each of them. Personally, I like the Donahue/Luebben Mastering Basic Skills book a little bit more if I had to pick one of the two, but you cannot go wrong with either one.
  
  Best of luck.

It really depends on what type of climbing you enjoy: adventure, sport, mountaineering, etc.

Here are some of my favourites:

If you like alpinism and want to learn how pathetic and weak willed you are compared to Steve House, check out Beyond the Mountain. Great book. Dude has insane ethics that make me feel bad for clipping bolts.

If you're more into big wall climbing and how it fits in with life lessons, The Push by Tommy Caldwell is phenomenal. He really throws it all out there and gives you an insight as to just how hard he worked to free the Dawn Wall and all the lessons that came with it.

If you want a really well written account of one of climbing's most bizarre controversies, The Tower by Kelly Cordes was one of my favourites this year. It gives a back-and-forth history and insight into climbing Cerro Torre and really gives a glimpse into life in Patagonia and the history of climbing Torre.

If you're a big dreamer and history nut, The Bold and The Cold gives first hand stories of the first ascents of some of the biggest routes in Canada. From the Bugaboos to Robson, it's a fantastic read and really gets you longing to get out out there.

Eiger Dreams was a fantastic collection of unrelated short stories centering around climbing and mountaineer. Some big characters and bigger adventures that are well told by the same author (and climber!) that gave us Into the Wild.

And finally, I recommend The Calling by Barry Blanchard for no other reason than it's a really well written account of the life of a fading alpinist in the Canadian Rockies.

Hope this helps!



Bonus recommendation: not climbing related, but a really great read for anyone who loves the outdoors: The Names of the Stars is a fantastic book that follows the personal account of a retired Park Ranger who spents 5 months alone in the wilderness of Montana watching fish eggs. It's a boring premise but the author is so vivid with his descriptions and shows the connection between us and the wild. I read it in a day, it was that good.

Did an AMA on Overcoming Gravity: A Systematic Approach to Gymnastics and Bodyweight Strength here:

http://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/comments/o5nn7/i_am_steven_low_author_of_overcoming_gravity_ask/

I help out people in /r/bodyweightfitness if you want to check that out, and this free programming article on which the book was written is a great guide on how to build a routine towards your goals, especially those with upper body strength bodyweight/gymnastics exercises.

Just started recently climbing which is fun.

Upper body strength is definitely not something I'm lacking so far -- just the grip strength and technique and other body positioning/movement skills that I've had to work on. Great translation from the strength to climbing which is what I am hinting at.

There are many variations, but you need to hang on something. Figure out a way, depending on what your living arrangements are. You can attach a pull up bar to a doorframe. You can hang from the door frame itself. You can find a tree or monkey bars or ledge of some kind outside.

Once you've found something to hang on, it'd be best to attach something to it. Hangboards, rock rings, pull up bar, homemade contraption. The device is not important, but preferably you can grip it in different ways. Open hand, sloper, two finger, crimp, side pull, etc.

Step three is to do pull ups, hangs, lock offs, and levers. Google hangboard workout and you'll find something. Use a chair if you need to reduce your weight, wear a backpack to increase it. Work out 3 times a week or so.

All the other fitness stuff you can do is great, but won't help your climbing as much as this. You have to hang, and you have to pull. This will keep in you decent shape.

Some links:

http://www.rockclimbing.com/Articles/Training_and_Technique/The_Making_of_a_Rockprodigy__258.html

http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Total-Upper-Body-Workout/dp/B001EJMS6K
The above can be modified to make it more climber friendly. You can make your own one of these: http://www.blankslateclimbing.com/shop/item/blank-slate/
Or you could hang some rock rings.

Consider supplementing your classes with some books. Bob Gaines new AMGA Manual, the classic Luebben climbing book, and Luebben's anchor book are all excellent. John Long has a new Trad Climbers Bible, haven't read it though. I find him wordy and often not as clear as others.

Note that Luebben suggests to spend a day every year climbing with an expert guide to make sure you're solid.

If you want a specific recommendation: BEFORE YOUR CLASS: Pick up the three books above and read them. Take notes on what you don't understand. Look to online forums and videos for answers. Buy some gear and practice placing the gear outside. Have a piece of rope you keep on your couch. Practice knots while watching TV. FOR YOUR CLASS: Once you've done this, then take a class with an expert. Bring all the questions you've come up with. Take notes and get your guides contact info so you can stay in touch after. AFTER YOUR CLASS, continue reviewing the books (which will make more sense), start climbing easy single pitch stuff outside, email new questions to your guide. Take an anchors course if it's available, particularly before getting into multi-pitch.

Have fun & good luck!

EDIT: Check out r/tradclimbing and their excellent FAQ.

Miramontes is great. http://www.amazon.com/Joshua-Tree-Climbs-Robert-Miramontes/dp/0982615442 It's pretty comprehensive. Nice color pictures. A good amount of "fluff/culture/history" to keep you busy on the car ride as well.

Welcome to Yosemite!

First of all, do you trad lead? You have to be able to climb on gear to get the full favor of Yosemite climbing.

When are you going? At this time of the year the Valley can be really hot. Bring a lot of water. Or consider climbing at Tuolumne, which is much cooler.

Get your crack skills and friction climbing dialed. They are almost like prerequisites for climbing at the Valley.

A double set of cams up to #3 and single set of nuts should take you a long way. Single 60m rope is fine but having a second rope can sometimes be handy for rappelling.

Get the Supertaco guidebook... they are the best for first-time Valley climbers.

Camping is a bitch... I usually spend the nights somewhere in the national forest outside of the park.

Routes: you gotta be more specific about what you want to climb. Are you thinking about single pitch cragging? Short multipitch? Or all day adventurous routes?

1. A lot of places you'll want more draws than 12. Normally I carry 2-4 alpine draws which are great for use under roofs and such. It's nice to have slings anyway, for backing up your PAS before going off belay or anchoring to a tree at a sketchy belay ledge, or whatever.
   
2. For rappelling autoblocks or emergency ascending, sterling's hollow autoblock loops are the best thing ever. I use the shorter 13.5 inch version.
   
3. You'll likely want a stick clip. Get the superclip, not the trango one.
   
4. I prefer a tarp to a bag. Personal thing, but it's nice to be able to strap it to any pack and easier to keep the rope off the ground while belaying. Trango's is good. Otherwise, for a bag you might as well use the $2 ikea one.
   
5. Helmets. Suck it up. Newbies are usually on routes with more flipping/headbanging/rockfall potential than on steep overhanging 12's.

Some training aids are pretty affordable, like a grip trainer like this or a Powerball - these are kind of fun as a novelty gift too, although they do actually work.

Otherwise, can't go wrong with climbing dvds or books.

Joshua Tree/Climb on salve is fairly cheap and works great.

Atomik Bombs are cool training tools that really help if elbow pain has been an issue.

Climbing Brush

You can never have too much chalk!

Climbing Tape

And then carabiners, chalk bags, slings, or similar items usually aren't that expensive.

However, I don't recommend buying new shoes/clothes/harnesses unless they have tried them on before hand or if the store your purchased them from has a good return policy.

Multipitch climbing often includes climbing pitches as long as your rope is. There are rope rescue techniques that a belayer can use to rescue a leader who is unresponsive and more than half of the rope length up the pitch. Check out https://www.amazon.com/Self-Rescue-2nd-Climb-David-Fasulo-ebook/dp/B005Q90UI2 Or (if you can find it for a better price) https://www.amazon.com/High-Angle-Rope-Rescue-Techniques-ebook/dp/B00TYYUM3S/

All of the other answers here are great, but supplementally this product is the shit. Everyone I climb with swears by it https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004YAUJ8U/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1491149060&sr=8-2&keywords=climbing+balm

TL;DR! Not reading before you jump into something may be one issue. Do you even read the disclaimers on your gear and the accompanying pamphlets? How about you try reading some books while you wait to reply and troll well-meaning people?

​

>" Like you can't take a beginner climbing until they've mastered 1000 random rigging techniques?"

​

Knowledge is what keeps people alive and vertical.

​

Reading is fundamental.

​

I think you should read all you can. Start reading here before you end up here.

​

Good day to you.

​

On Rope looks like a pretty good book. I think I might have to add that one to my library! For anyone else looking:

http://www.amazon.com/Rope-American-Vertical-Techniques-Rappellers/dp/1879961059/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343399155&sr=1-1&keywords=1879961059

For a book, any local guidebook would be great. Even if they don't get outdoors too much yet it would at least be something to get them psyched to get out. I remember winning a Rocktown guidebook (not that that is really local for Florida) at a comp at my university climbing tower before ever climbing outdoors and it got me stoked and I planned a trip as soon as I could.

Also get them some robot buttholes!

https://www.amazon.com/Goda-Acupressure-Massage-Rings-Set/dp/B00G2G22IO

Are the rental harnesses the cheap webbing-only kind (like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Fusion-Centaur-Harness-Orange-Climbing/dp/B00J0W4Y92)? Or are they more like the kind of harness you can buy. If they're the webbing-only kind, those are substantially less comfortable than even the cheapest you could buy.

I climb at a college gym that has free gear rental, and a substantial number of people use the rental harnesses but bring their own shoes. They used to only have the webbing-only harnesses, and most medium serious or above climbers brought their own harness, but they recently upgraded to nicer rental harness with padding, so more people use them long term, even people who own harnesses if they don't want to carry theirs around to class all day.

The local climb shop (Summit Hut, Tucson, AZ) recommended On Rope when I asked this same question. I never bought it, but did page through it. Seems very detailed. Probably the best book about climbing rope. Lots of knots, too. Even if it is about caving.

Try these.

https://www.amazon.com/Goda-Acupressure-Massage-Rings-Chart/dp/B00G2G22IO/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1467038345&sr=8-1&keywords=acupressure+rings

I have been using them for awhile now and find that they help quite a bit. They increase blood flow to my fingers. Very useful when my fingers are tight in the morning after a hard session the night before.

I also jammed my pinky playing basketball the other day and low and behold.. the rings have been working wonders. The swelling is almost gone within 2 days.

[These are great too!](Goda Acupressure Massage Rings (Set of 5) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G2G22IO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_I.lPAbC5Y2XH8)

You can take them anywhere and they feel great! There’s are the ones I use but there are cheaper options on amazon

I've always used O'keeffe's Working Hands, and I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

I actually use this every once in a while when my hands are really rekt

http://www.amazon.com/OKeeffes-Working-Hands-Cream-3-4/dp/B00121UVU0

Works pretty well. Hands will feel a bit "oily" until it sets in but after that feels good. Also doesn't have a smell.

TNuts - https://www.amazon.com/1000-T-nuts-for-Climbing-Holds/dp/B003KISHD6/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=t-nuts+for+climbing&qid=1556275714&s=gateway&sr=8-5

​

Holds: https://www.amazon.com/Rocky-Mountain-Climbing-Gear-TC-JRNL-SNZX/dp/B00CM91N0S/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=rock+climbing+holds&qid=1556275790&s=gateway&sr=8-4

​

Those Rocky Mountain holds are great, additionally, don't forget about making your own holds out of scrap 2x4 cut-offs.

pregnancy support belt will lift the abdomen, support the waist and waist to relieve abdominal pressure and relieve sciatic nerves, hips, back, waist, pelvis and stomach pain, maternal belt pregnancy support to make you throughout pregnancy Stay active.I bought this product on this website, you can try this product

​

I use this product, I bought it at this store.American shop：

https://www.amazon.com/Back-Belt-Support-Maternity-Pregnancy/dp/B07G8Z731W

not much sport. i like the mostly comprehensive book from wolverine publishing.

There is one from vogel that has a lot of the history and interesting stories but it's a little bit more limited in routes(though still pretty comprehensive). it has a green cover and is called classic joshua tree routes & bouldering.(though that might just be the first edition of it)

Wrist roller: http://relativestrengthadvantage.com/wrist-roller-forearm-strength/
Gripmaster: http://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Strengthening-System-Medium-Tension/dp/B000UMFT22/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418757894&sr=8-2&keywords=gripmaster&pebp=1418757906167
Hangboard training, farmer walks, and deadlifts will also help build forearm strength.

This thing is a freaking textbook full of info but it is great applied to climbing.
http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Gravity-Systematic-Gymnastics-Bodyweight/dp/1467933120

The Bold and Cold is a good read: https://www.amazon.ca/Bold-Cold-History-Classic-Canadian/dp/1771601159

Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills https://www.amazon.com/dp/1680510045/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_77PlDbB369K90

Trad Climber's Bible (How To Climb Series) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0762783729/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_U8PlDbW6VBDK9

https://coloradomountainschool.com/product/multi-pitch-rock-climbing/

https://www.cmc.org/Classes/CMCClassesandSchools.aspx

https://denvermountainguiding.com/rock-climbing

O'Keefe's working hands. They sell it at home depot as well :)

http://www.amazon.com/OKeeffes-Working-Hands-Cream-3-4/dp/B00121UVU0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372132354&sr=8-1&keywords=working+hands&tag=s601000020-20

These are mostly moderate climbs and great resources:

https://www.amazon.com/Yosemite-Valley-Free-Climbs-Supertopos/dp/0967239141

https://www.amazon.com/Tuolumne-Free-Climbs-Greg-Barnes/dp/0976523574

Sterling hollow block FTW.

I'm nervous about your door mounting system. Something like this is what most people use and seems safer: http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Total-Upper-Body-Workout/dp/B001EJMS6K/ref=sr_1_1?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1368204664&sr=1-1

I really like the sterling hollow block for use as a third hand or prusik. I use the 13.5 inch.

https://www.amazon.com/Sterling-Rope-6-8mm-Hollow-Block/dp/B01253J7LM

Get a pullup bar for one of your doorframes so you have something to do pullups on and then girth hitch these to the bar when you want to use them.

Non climber here, is it an advantage to have rough hands for climbing? If not there's a wonderful product out there, O'Keeffee's Working Hands. My husband is a welder and his hands are so dry they bleed sometimes. This item works wonders.

http://www.amazon.com/OKeeffes-Working-Hands-Cream-3-4/dp/B00121UVU0

I bought the hangboard via craigslist, so I have no idea where you could get the hangboard itself. Everything else though you can get through Ace Hardware (or Lowes etc.) besides one of these
http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Gym-Total-Upper-Workout/dp/B001EJMS6K/ref=sr_1_1?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1408256963&sr=1-1

[Freedom of the Hills] (http://www.amazon.com/Mountaineering-Freedom-Hills-Mountaineers-Books/dp/1594851387)

or

[Mastering Basic Skills] (http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Climbing-Mastering-Mountaineers-Outdoor/dp/1594858624/ref=pd_bxgy_14_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1F3Y0RQEJJM0214JA5FV)

https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Climbing-Mastering-Mountaineers-Outdoor/dp/1594858624/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

This stuff is gold. O'Keeffe's Working Hands: http://www.amazon.com/OKeeffes-Working-Hands-Cream-3-4/dp/B00121UVU0

if your hands really hurt after climbing take a look at the cream "climbon" or something like this

according to Rock Climbing: Mastering Basic Skills 2nd edition, static rope can be used in top roping.
>Static ropes can be used for top-roping, but the belayer needs to avoid letting slack build up.....

Is that true? Can I use static rope in top rope climbing (at least 15m high wall with at least 2ft overhang)?

If I were to use static rope to climb, how much slack is considered dangerous?

https://www.amazon.com/OKeeffes-Working-Hands-Hand-Cream/dp/B00121UVU0

This stuff works wonders on cuts on my hands

This is what you want. It's genuinely miraculous compared to anything else I've tried (though the 6mm sewn sterling isn't awful). Super smooth when rappelling but it grabs really, really hard when you let go. I use the 13.5 inch one and it's just right.

10 months in... 5.12c... 2 finger pockets... this sounds like a recipe for disaster. Your fingers aren't there yet, even though you might be.

Otherwise, https://www.amazon.com/Goda-Acupressure-Massage-Rings-Set/dp/B00G2G22IO