Be the chad.
I’ve seen the snickering. I’ve helped quite a few people. Not everyone is open to it, but most welcome it if you treat em with respect.
Same thing with bouldering. You see someone inexperienced struggle with a route and you give em a few pointers. You show em the moves. Can even help people with routes I can’t do cuz I somehow know how to read em.
Be the positive change in the world.
I miss my bouldering gym so much. It was always a great vibe there and people from all skill levels could climb together, chat, help each other out. Any time I went intending to climb alone I still ended up chatting and making friends because so many people are just friendly and happy to be there
Where I moved to has a proper climbing gym but it isnt the same vibe.
I have a question. Would age be at all a factor in the vibe? How about acute arthritis and being a newbie? I wouldn’t expect to just “fit in” immediately, but I’m left wondering if a slower middle-aged dude would have a hard time hanging with that crowd.
I’ve climbed with 10 year olds and 80 year olds. Ive climbed with people who could climb 8 hours straight and those who can only do a few routes a day. So long as you have a good attitude, climb safely and respect others you will likely fit in fine at your local climbing gym.
You’ll be fine, rock gyms tend to be a super welcoming place, regardless of age or experience. Things like arthritis and age will affect your ability, sure, but not enough to prevent you from doing it at all - you just might not be able to go as often or for as long as others 🤷♂️
