Climbing in Montreal: Getting Started
Everyone loves climbing and is curious about how to get into it. If you have enough strength to stand up onto a chair, you can climb. It is not about bicep strength. Often people with little upper body strength progress faster because they have to learn good foot technique. Foot technique goes pays off more in the long run. So try it out! Here are some tips on how to get started.
Disclaimer: climbing is dangerous and anyone who tells you otherwise is a fool or a liar. Climbing has come a long way since hobnail boots and hemp ropes. If you are aware of the risks and have proper instruction, you can manage those risks. There are many ways to start learning to climb safely. Reading this blog is not it; this is not a substitute for professional training nor for common sense.
Once you know how to belay, you can always find more climbing partners on the gyms facebook groups.
It may come to you as a surprise that there isn't much outdoor climbing on the island of Montreal. There are a communities of climbers that get together to drive off the island to some close by crags (the closest worthwhile spot is Mont Rigaud). You need gear to be able to climb outside, you need to have a partner and possibly you need some more training and/or want to get a guide.
About the author: Greg Gibson has been climbing since 2010 and started MTL Climbing with Kushwant Bussawah to help bridge the gap for his friends trying out climbing and help share cool areas and trip stories. When he is not trying figure out how to get up a rock, he works a day job as an engineer.
Disclaimer: climbing is dangerous and anyone who tells you otherwise is a fool or a liar. Climbing has come a long way since hobnail boots and hemp ropes. If you are aware of the risks and have proper instruction, you can manage those risks. There are many ways to start learning to climb safely. Reading this blog is not it; this is not a substitute for professional training nor for common sense.
Climbing Indoors: The Fastest Way To Get Started
There are many approaches to getting into climbing but staring by climbing on plastic is by far the easiest and safest, that is going to a climbing gym. You can show up with no gear nor training and climb.
The main gyms to check out in Montreal are Allez Up, Horizon Roc, Escalade Vertical and Zero Gravite. They all offer gear rentals and training. All you need is someone to climb with or not.
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| Kush top roping one of the silos of Allez Up |
The main gyms to check out in Montreal are Allez Up, Horizon Roc, Escalade Vertical and Zero Gravite. They all offer gear rentals and training. All you need is someone to climb with or not.
If you have a partner who also wants to get into climbing, I highly recommend you start by learning how to top rope (climbing with a rope above you) before heading outside. It is by far the easiest option to learn how to belay for around $50. Every climbing gym offers top rope courses which covers top rope belaying. It usually is a couple hours then a test on our belaying technique.
If you don't have a partner to bring you, for the price of a good meal, the staff at Allez Up will belay you without a reservation from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday.
Bouldering (aka pebble wrestling) at a climbing gym another avenue you can take if you don't have a partner. I don't recommend starting with bouldering given it feels so hard at first that one get easily discouraged when compared to learning how to top rope. That being said don't let me talk you out of it bouldering is rad and a combination of top rope and bouldering will help you develop technique and strength.
If you don't have a partner to bring you, for the price of a good meal, the staff at Allez Up will belay you without a reservation from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday.
Bouldering (aka pebble wrestling) at a climbing gym another avenue you can take if you don't have a partner. I don't recommend starting with bouldering given it feels so hard at first that one get easily discouraged when compared to learning how to top rope. That being said don't let me talk you out of it bouldering is rad and a combination of top rope and bouldering will help you develop technique and strength.
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| Greg bouldering. As you may notice, there is no rope just a nice big mattress to catch any falls |
Climbing Outside: Get Out More
You have gone to gym, learned how to top rope and now you are ready to take it outside.
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| Virginia trying some outdoor climbing for the first time at Montagne d'Argent |
It may come to you as a surprise that there isn't much outdoor climbing on the island of Montreal. There are a communities of climbers that get together to drive off the island to some close by crags (the closest worthwhile spot is Mont Rigaud). You need gear to be able to climb outside, you need to have a partner and possibly you need some more training and/or want to get a guide.
Get Gear
If you don't have any gear, you can always rent a harness and shoes from the McGill Outdoor Club (MOC). It is open to everyone. All you have to do is pay a small annual membership fee and you have access to all sorts of cool gear. Mountain Equipment COOP rents helmets and crashpads but sadly they do not rent harnesses nor shoes.
If you want to invest in some gear, buy it new especially ropes and harnesses. Harnesses are inexpensive. Why one wants to get a used one is beyond me. The only pieces of gear in a basic climbing kit (harness, shoes, helmet, atc, carabiner), I would say if you really wanted to save buy used would be a chalk bag and rock climbing shoes. If they fail, it's not the end of the world. Don't bother being cheap; your safety depends on it.
The two best spots to buy some shiny new stuff in Montreal is LaCordee on Saint Catherine and MEC on Acadie. They both offer a basic climbing kits that are affordable.
The two best spots to buy some shiny new stuff in Montreal is LaCordee on Saint Catherine and MEC on Acadie. They both offer a basic climbing kits that are affordable.
Get Some Training
Top roping is fun but being able to lead climb makes it a lot easier to open a route. When are only able to top rope only, you have to hike above the spot you want to climb then setup an anchor. If you are able to lead climb (preferably you learnt how to indoors first), then you don't have to hike up.
Greg lead climbing at Montagne Du Tranchant
There are two climbing schools that I would recommend checking out: Attitude Montagne and Passe Montagne. They offer transition courses for top roping and leading outside as well as guiding services.
This is isn't a substitute for professional guiding but also check out my article for some tips on how to transition outside (if you already know how to lead climb).
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| Greg lead climbing at Montagne Du Tranchant |
This is isn't a substitute for professional guiding but also check out my article for some tips on how to transition outside (if you already know how to lead climb).
Get a Partner
Get on the MOC mailing list, individual often send messages out to find a partner. Also the MOC organization holds intro to climbing events every year for cheap. On the facebook groups/pages for our climbing gyms, you can always find climbing partners who want to go outside.
One notable group on meetup.com is Grimpeur MTL Climbers. This group is fairly active and does alpinism in the winter too. Super cool group that I have been on many outings with!
Every year there are some great events held all over Quebec that are great for finding more experienced climbers as well:
Closing Remarks
I tried my best to not leaving anything out. Let us know what you guys think. Are there any gyms, climbing schools or events you think we left out?
If you need any advice or have any questions feel free to ask and we will try to guide you in the right direction.
About the author: Greg Gibson has been climbing since 2010 and started MTL Climbing with Kushwant Bussawah to help bridge the gap for his friends trying out climbing and help share cool areas and trip stories. When he is not trying figure out how to get up a rock, he works a day job as an engineer.
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