Equipment
Well to start with you will need very little equipment. The club provides most of the gear that you will need during your first outings. As you progress you might like to invest in some climbing equipment. The initial things you might like to buy will be the personal pieces of gear that the club cannot supply such as:
After which you might also like to purchase further personal gear such as:
Though you should bear in mind that the club can usually lend the above three. Should you wish to start leading then you will need some serious rock climbing equipment. If you ask any member of the committee then they will be able to advise you as will the staff in any outdoor shop. Since being a member of the club gets you a 15% discount at Cotwolds (just tell them the code on your membership card) then this is one of the best places to get your gear. Although if you shop around great deals can found everywhere.
Trips
A handly list of things to take on the various kinds of trips that we do can be found here. I’d advise printing it out so as to avoid being awarded the Spoon award when you forget your harness and have gone to Gogarth.
First Aid
There is no substitute for processional First Aid training, but if your wondering about what you might have to do in an emergency then this is the page for you. Rather than telling you how to treat an injured person this page explains how to deal with an emergency with some useful lifesaving tips!
Helmets
When you first start out then it is imperative that you wear a helmet. The club should provide you with one if you don’t have your own. Once you have some climbing experience of your own then the choice is up to you. Here however is something worth reading before you go galavanting off with your hair free to blow in the wind.