It’s almost 2025, and while the idea of reinventing yourself overnight might sound tempting (thanks to those endless “new year, new you” articles), let’s be real — you’re not going to wake up tomorrow as a brand-new person. But picking up a fresh activity? That’s totally within reach.

To kick off the new year with something exciting, Terrain consulted experts in five outdoor activities to gather their top tips for beginners. Here, Spencer Schmick, the head youth coach and route setter at Upper Limits Rock Gym & Pro Shop in Maryland Heights and Chesterfield, shares his insights on how to make 2025 the year you become a climber. Ready to tackle a mountain (or at least a climbing gym wall)? Grab your chalk bag and read on.

What’s the first thing an aspiring climber should do?
Go to a climbing gym. In the gym’s initial orientation, they’ll probably teach you basic climbing etiquette, how climbing routes work, and how to use auto belays – which help you safely lower to the ground. This will set you on the right path.

Then what?
Take a class on top rope climbing. That will give you more options than just bouldering or auto belay.

Do beginners need to decide between bouldering and rope climbing?
No, you can do both. It’s really a personal preference. Bouldering is shorter and more powerful. Rope climbing is longer and higher. Rope climbing is like a 400-meter run, and bouldering is like a 50-meter sprint.

As far as climbing technique, what are some rules of thumb?
Using your legs is very important. Climbing is almost as footwork-intensive as it is arm- and finger-intensive. With your arms, try to relax them and keep them straight. Don’t T-Rex arm everything. With your feet, try to use your big toe, rather than the sides of your foot, to drive off the foothold. Finally, keep your hips close to the wall.

Spencer Schmick demonstrates proper bouldering technique. (Spencer Schmick)

What gear do beginners need?
I recommend climbing shoes like La Sportiva’s Tarantulace. They’re non-aggressive, meaning they’re more comfortable. You’ll also want a chalk bag, harness, and probably an Edelrid Jul 2 belay device. All in, this will cost about $200.

When climbers are ready to move outdoors, where should they go?
Robinson Bluff in Cadet, Missouri, is a good beginner area for rope climbing. For bouldering, there’s Holy Boulders in Southern Illinois. And Rockwoods Reservation in Wildwood, Missouri, has both rope climbing and bouldering.

What’s one thing you wish you’d known when you started?
Always use chalk when climbing. Chalk makes your hands drier, and drier hands equal better grip.

When did you start climbing?
When I was around two years old, haha. My parents were climbers, so I just started climbing up rocks and stuff, and my parents would belay me. I started belaying for top ropes when I was seven, and then I learned how to lead climb when I was 11. At Upper Limits, we don’t teach kids how to lead climb until they are 12, and that’s if they join our climbing team.

What’s the typical learning curve? How long does it take to get good at climbing?
It depends on your genetics a little bit. And it also depends on your work ethic. If you’re coming to the gym every day and trying hard, then you’ll progress very quickly. I know people who have gone from (the climbing grades) V0 to V10 within two years.

Author: Shawn Donnelly is the managing editor of Terrain.

Top image: By Mimi Harzan.