Realistically, how feasible is it for someone to climb up the side of a house?

Dee

Depends on the house. If there are ledges, strong guttering and rough stone, it's much easier. Trees help, or a garden wall that adjoins the facade. Garage roofs are handy.

I know this because I used to sneak in and out of my bedroom window, and no, I didn't have a bag marked SWAG over one shoulder.

JB

Thanks JB. I can't decide whether to have my character risk life and limb heroically climbing up the outside of the house or just to be her usual practical self and break a window. Decisions decisions!

Dee

How about she gets part way up the side, decides it's a mugs game and then accidentally breaks the window when she jumps down?

Hehe, Naomi! I was starting to think along the lines of having her climb half-way up the house side and then see the door swing open.

Dee

<Added>

Don't you just hate it when that happens? ;)

Dee,

Drainpipes, trellises, pagodas, flat roofed extensions make climbing upto an upstairs window quite feasible for most people, virtually easy for anyone with the proper motivation.

Large scale masonry or stone built houses with depressed pointing would be difficult but doable at a push.

Climbing a standard brick wall, with not much else for help would be strictly for experts only.

This of course is just my opinion, but in a previous life (where I was thirty pounds lighter), I used to be a rock climber, so I think I’m probably close to the truth.

Hope it helps.

Cheers, Grinder )

Grinder, I'm very surprised you've chosen this forum to reveal yourself as the legendary CatMan.

JB

Breaking a window sounds far more realistic to me, unless the character is a demon rock climber.

Deb

Waxy,

Damn, I’m exposed!

Actually, on reflection, my previous post makes paints me as an experienced “bedroom window peeper” which was not my intention at all!

Cheers, Grinder

Thanks everyone. Some great answers!

This character is an experienced climber, so I wanted to use it in a scene where it would be unexpected. However, on balance, I think it would be out of character for her to attempt something so risky when there’s the much more practical option of breaking a window.

Cheers

Dee

Unless, of course, the character has reason to show off. Is she alone? I'm thinking she could scale the outside of the house, Spiderman style, while the other one on the ground smashes a window. Humourous moment?

JB