Heathrow Hikers - Outdoor Group for West London

Climbing

Rock climbing is challenging, healthy, exhilarating and fun - an activity unlike any other. And it's gaining rapidly in popularity since the 1970's. When approached correctly, with appropriate skills and equipment, climbing is not as dangerous as many people think. The development of modern safety equipment and procedures have rendered once hazardous routes relatively safe, and many climbs which would have been considered dangerous in the past, are now done as a fun outing by parties of average skill and experience.

Anyone wishing to try climbing can either attend a climbing course or alternatively come along to one of our sessions where you will learn some of the basics. For those who want to join a course, we recommend Rock Frog, their website is www.rockfrog.co.uk . They are experienced and very friendly rock climbing instructors. A few Heathrow Hiker members have completed the rock climbing course with Rock Frog at Brunel climbing wall.

What equipment do you need?

Basic equipment:

Climbing shoes, harness, karabiner, ATC, chalk bag & chalk ball.

Some of the basic climbing equipment

Belay Devices

More equipment:

Rope, slings, more karabiners, helmet, quickdraws, nuts, nut key.

What skills do you need?

Basic climbing skills.
Knot Figure 8.
Know how to use belay devices to belay the climber.

How to do a Figure of 8 knot (shown in photographs)

Figure 8 Knot - Image 1	Figure 8 Knot - Image 2	Figure 8 Knot - Image 3

Figure 8 Knot - Image 4	Figure 8 Knot - Image 5

For images of more climbing knots please click here.

The climbing calls

Belayer: 'Climb when ready!'
It means belayer is ready to belay the climber. Climber is ok to climb now.

Climber: 'Climbing!'
It means climber is going to climb.

Climber: 'Tight!'
It means climber wants belayer to take in any slack rope.

Climber or Belayer: 'Take in!'
Much the same as the call 'Tight!' except can be used by either climber or belayer when climber is leading.

Climber: 'Slack!'
It means climber wants more slack rope paid out.

Climber: 'Watch me!'
Call from climber call to belayer to pay attention during sequence of hard moves. The belayer should be watching the climber anyway!

Where we go for climbing

Normally we go climbing at either the Brunel University Sports Centre Climbing Wall or Westway Climbing Wall.

Brunel Climbing Wall

Brunel University Sports Centre climbing wall is one of the better walls near London, it features a large 7.5m main wall, which provides climbing of varying difficulties on features. Using any holds, grades go from easy Diff to hard 6a. Lots of interesting features, cracks, aretes, overhanging walls, big roof, shield, movable slab, belay ledges etc. There are lots of bolts to lead on and all the cracks can be used to place real gear so you can practice your gear placement. All the lines in this section can be toproped. And it has a separate bouldering room. You also can hire harness and rope at reception of sports centre.

Address: Kingston Lane , Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH

Map: Streetmap

Public Transport:
Take Piccadilly Line tube to Uxbridge station, then change Bus U4 or U7.

Tel: 01895 265 305

Cost: £3.50

Opening Times:

Monday - Friday: 9:30 - 22:30

Saturday: 9:30 - 17:00

Sunday: 9:30 - 19:00

Web link: Brunel University Indoor Climbing Wall

Westway Indoor Climbing Wall

As the largest indoor climbing centre in London, Westway Sports Centre offers an unrivalled climbing experience for both seasoned rock climbers and beginners who are keen to just 'have a go' (beginners should take a look at the taster sessions, beginners courses and junior programme by scrolling down this page). There are also outdoor walls, plus plenty of indoor bouldering and a high ropes course!

NOTE: If you are new to Westway and are not booking a taster session or beginners course or coming to a junior open (WYSA) session and just want to casual climb or boulder unsupervised at Westway you must first go through a short registration procedure and show your knowledge of the use of a harness, belay device, and climbing knots (see USING WESTWAY - below).

It has,

. Over 120 climbing lines with 350 routes from grade 3-8a
. Multi-pitch routes, leader placed protection, abseiling, technical slab routes
. Intricate and interesting wall climbs
. Savagely overhanging routes
. Learn new skills to challenge and energise your mind and your body
. Freeform traverse wall and Bouldering Wave with 50 marked problems
. Woody Board
. Endless variety in Freeform features and flat panel climbing
. Urban Rock hire/retail shop for all your climbing equipment needs

• NEW HIRE A BELAYER SERVICE
• 50 NEW ROUTES EVERY MONTH
• 50 NEW BOULDER PROBLEMS EVERY MONTH
• LONDON 'S LARGEST INSTRUCTOR TEAM

Address:
Westway Sports Centre , Crowthorne Road , London , GREATER LONDON W10 6RP

Tel:
020 8969 0992

Website
http://www.westway.org/sports/wsc/climbing

Costs:
Members: £7.50 or £8.00 for no members.

Opening times
Mon-Fri 10:30-22:00 , weekend 10:00-20:00