a cousin decided to take up climbing with me, a veteran climber. i hesitated at first because i really don't have the patience with newbies, with teaching or any other thing of that sort but i gave her a chance. after hiking a considerable distance, i had to look back and find her so far away from where i was standing, saying she's not coming and she's not going to do it. at first i wanted to throw whatever i could get my hands on at her but decided to just take her home. if you were in my place (mind you, she's my cousin), what would you do?

I guess my first question would be how old is she. I have spent a great deal of time learning and teaching my two young kids how to do climb in the process. My son is 7 and my daughter is 6. My daughter has been a little more difficult than my son. But I have found that spending the time to help her through it and encourage her, has been far more benefical to both of us. Find out the cause of her distress and help correct it. Or just don't take her again.

that is a shame some people simply are not interested. maybe she never really wanted to go in the first place, she just wanted to give you a chance because you're related or something (gawd, i hope i don't sound like some shrink)

did she initiate the idea? whenever one of my friends decides that they want to try it out (which actually happens a lot) i always take them to a local gym first. i'd much rather make a trip outdoors, but by going to a gym first, they get an idea for the climbing part without all the leg-work of walking, setting up, breaking down, and other aspects of climbing outdoors that we (as frequent climbers) don't even really think about. i used to take new climbers outdoors first, but i think that both of us (me and the new climber) found it a little less rewarding than we thought because they think you just walk up to a rock and go (and i'm NOT leading with somebody who's never done it before). around here most of the routes that have hangers at the top are a little beyond a n00b's capabilities so i end up setting up a TR from natural anchors. i'm not sure what i would have done in your shoes, but i can tell you one thing... next time she asked me to go climbing, i'd head to the gym and get her to pay her own way . that way i don't end up planning a trip for somebody who's just gonna bail on the trail.

With all due respect, and I do respect your knowledge chilli, but that's the difference between guiding a climb and just taking a new, less confident climber on a trip. So, I understand where you're coming from. Guiding a trip is part mentor, part friend, and teacher! And you sometimes have to be really patient with new climber's to build their confidence and try not to scare the daylights out of them!!

that's a good point. i try to exercise a great deal of patience with new ppl on outdoor TR, but i am no guide, that's for sure

that's a bit beyond my realm of interest, for now anyway. more power to you for doing the guiding thing though.

I agree with Chilli, in that I'm not a guide but I am happy to help new climbers get their feet wet. People at work all the time see me hauling my rope and gear back in and out of the office and have questions and if they are interested then I'll take them to the gym with me so they can see "what this climbing thing is all about".

After they have been to the gym a couple of times and understand the concept of belaying, climbing, falling, etc. then if they want to go outdoors I'll let them tag along on a trip and I'll lead some easy routes that they can then toprope.

At least with official "guiding" as opposed to taking out a friend or relative the person is paying for the guide so they are less likely to back out while you are hiking into the face.

its ok to take a newbie if there aren't too many obstacles that only experienced climbers can hack. That is added baggage. Personally, i would only take a rookie with we were attempting to climb an easy target. Other than that, bringing newbies are big "no..no's"!! Too much responsibility.

I agree it is ok to take newbies outdoors to top rope but I still prefer at least one indoor session with them first personally.

In the gym it is easy for them to see the "rocks" and know where they are going and how to get there so they can get a basic understanding of the concepts of climbing. Outdoors, even on a 5.6 route, for someone brand new that rock can all begin to look the same when they get 15-20 feet off of the ground. More than once I have seen someone new freeze up on the rock.

Everyone does things their own way and has their own preferences, that is just my .02. :)