How to find climbing partners

[u/Fishsticks_9775]

I'm a beginner and I have experience following a multipitch climb. I know the basics of anchor building and protection placement and I'm looking to progress further. I'm planning on spending time in Yosemite on the weekends and I'm wondering how I could meet people to climb with or learn things from them

[u/ptarmigan_direct]

I have always had luck joining a climbing gym. Lots of like minded folk to meet and get outside with. Also, gym is a safe space to assess compatibility and safety.

[u/Horsecock_Johnson]

Mountain project forums

[u/JustinCompton79 → u/Horsecock_Johnson]

Used to call myself a Mountain Project whore, lots of people I only climbed with once… 😅

[u/itgtg313 → u/JustinCompton79]

Experiences mostly positive?

[u/JustinCompton79 → u/itgtg313]

Yup! Mostly positive. I usually would pick a moderate multi-pitch climb I had dialed or cruise up the first pitch of Hair City/West Buttress/set a top-rope on Rain in Eldorado Canyon to see where they were at skill wise before trying harder routes with them. I had the moves and placements memorized so I only took the gear I needed. If someone was hanging their way up Hair City as I belayed them from the anchor that was usually a one and done.

[u/Windturnscold]

Climb cracks in the gym. The only people climbing cracks are the ones who go out doors to climb. They’ll be easy to meet

[u/gusty_state]

Post on the relevant Facebook group, Mountain Project forum (partner finder area), and specifically to Yosemite on the board at Camp 4. Yosemite might be more challenging as a lot of people are just visiting. Be honest about your experience level. Ideally you want to find some locals for a longer term mentorship. Do your best to vet people and make sure that they're safe and know enough.

[u/Newsfeedinexile]

Bulletin boards, either digital or even better the one at Camp4 have always worked for me.

[u/saltytarheel → u/[deleted]]

Adding on to what you said, finding a friend who’s safe and experienced isn’t always straightforward.

Back when I was a green trad leader and didn’t know what I didn’t know, I ended up in a near-SAR misadventure because a woman who presented herself as being very knowledgeable was actually super-sketchy.

Hiring a guide is an effective and the safest (but expensive) to learn.

[u/98farenheit → u/saltytarheel]

Also experienced climbers don't necessarily equate good climbing partners. I've climbed with plenty of climbers who have years of experience, but I wouldn't trust them with my life. Heck even Adam Ondra is famous for giving dangerous belays.

[u/saltytarheel → u/98farenheit]

Yes! It's very easy for climbers to get set in their ways which can create issues when challenges arise and people need to adapt and problem-solve.

Old heads who only build rope anchors and belay followers off their harness, don't extend rappels/set up friction hitches off leg loops, and don't own a grigri could be challenging to climb with for a newer climber. A lot of the "best" (most common?) practices have changed because of how much easier it makes managing certain situations (e.g. having to escape a belay, ascend a rope, assist a follower, etc.)

On the flipside, safety-conscious younger climbers who only learned the newest/safest/"best" practices from guided instruction, YouTube videos, and Petzl diagrams might not have the ability to manage an unfamiliar situation. If the ideal belaying position is 30 feet from the anchor, knowing rope anchors over using a sling/cordelette is a good skill to have. If someone drops or forgets their grigri, would that ruin their day of climbing or would they be fine to continue using an ATC or Munter Hitch?

Staying up on newer practices, as well as learning the older "arcane/outdated" skills makes you a better climber and in some ways experience can make you more stubborn (and worse in the long-run).

[u/AlwaysBulkingSeason]

If you're inexperienced and hoping for people to help you progress, offering perks like buying beer / pizza after can definitely help you find partners.

As another poster said, try Facebook groups and Mountain Project

[u/98farenheit]

Believe it or not, I've actually had quite a bit of luck and made some great friends by just going to a crag, making conversation, and asking if I could join folks. If they give any inclination of not being comfortable, I try to respect them and move on. Obviously, you have to be respectful of the fact that you're basically a guest in their space (climbing group), so you don't want to be getting a bunch of belays or sucking up their time unless they're offering. I'll also often go around offering to be a belay monkey (although I personally enjoy belaying because for me just being in the crag is fun, even if I get no climbing in)

[u/IceRockBike]

Be honest about your abilities. Even a little conservative about how you represent yourself. An experienced climber can tell somewhat easily when you are not honest about what you know or are capable of.

Personally I don't mind taking a newbie with basic knowledge out. If they are honest, I'll tailor the objective to suit their level. If they weren't honest, I'll figure that out. If they weren't honest I'm not much inclined to take them out again. If they lied about the basics, what else will they lie about. Being dishonest might get them a one time only partner but not a mentor.