What is Rock Climbing?…Hint It’s not all muscle.
All ages and genders can participate in rock climbing all the way up to the highest capacities. There are pre-teen girls who are considered among the best climbers in the sport. Rock climbing requires you to overcome your own mental boundaries of what you are capable of.
Climbing is About Balance…
Rock climbing is a balance of both mind and body. The strength of those parts and how flexible they are. It’s about problem-solving, and a deep understanding of oneself and their capabilities. There are no silver bullet skills or physical genetics to get you to the top of this intriguing sport. It’s you versus the rock … You versus yourself. When against the unforgiving rock there is no room in the mind to wander off… All you have is yourself up there along with some gear. Give up or falter and gravity will do the rest…
What are the Benefits of climbing?
- Increased strength and muscle tone… From head to toe, climbing will exercise all key muscle groups.
- Increased flexibility of the body as well as the mind… Solving problems in a holistic manner, perseverance, and dedication is what climbing is all about.
- Oddly enough reducing stress… Increasing levels of norepinephrine, a key neurotransmitter in relieving stress.
- Burns a lot of calories… The sights, the sun, solutions, and the sweat. All combine in a perfect union of exercise for the mind and body.
- Seeing the world from a different perspective… Feels good to be “on top of the world!”
- Conquering fear(s)… Heights are a common sight in climbing. So is falling but through the use of many safety measures, injury and harm are mitigated.
- The challenge… By pushing ourselves out our comfort zones do we learn and grow as human beings. We could all use more of that.
So how does one get into the world of climbing?
First, lest delve into the most common types of rock climbing, as well as some of the gear associated with each type…
- Traditional or Trad Climbing: A climber or group of climbers places all gear that is required to protect against a fall, and removes all said gear when the climb is complete. Common equipment that is used is spring-loaded camming devices, slings, hex chocks, steel nuts, and chalk and harnesses.
- Bouldering: Performed on large rocks, boulders, and artificial rock walls.Climbs are more reliant on the problems encountered rather than the height of ascent which is usually less than 6 meters (20feet). Bouldering requires only some equipment such as crash pads (in case of falls), chalk, and somewhat specialized shoes.
- Sport Climbing: Much like traditional climbing with the exception that it relies on permanent means of fall protection being drilled into the rock in the form of bolts. Many climbers start in sport climbing through indoor gyms as well as the need for less equipment than trad climbing. The practice of bolting routes remains a hot topic amongst members of the climbing community to this day…
- Top-Rope: An anchor system is placed at the top of the climb with a rope passing through below to a belayer at the foot of the climb. The belayer acts as the fall protection in this instance of climbing, so communication is key here for a successful climb. Commonly found in indoor gyms throughout the world, top-rope climbing serves many as an introduction to rock climbing. A top-rope climber will always use a harness in conjunction with a belay device.
- Free Climbing: The climber uses a rope to protect them from a fall and not in aiding in their ascent. Not the same as free soloing.
- Crack Climbing: Here climbers use specialized equipment and techniques to ascend natural cracks in the rock. Many Traditional climbing paths will follow these natural areas to place gear to protect from falls. Common gear is much like trad with an emphasis on hexes, nuts, and cam devices.
- Deep Water Soloing: The protection here rests solely on a body of water being under the climber. Rubber dinghies or other small craft are sometimes used to pick up climbers that have fallen into the water. Synthetic soled shoes and liquid chalk are specialized tools used to counter the wet environment in deep water solo climbing.
- Free Soloing: Free soloing is the most dangerous of all climbing methods. Highly dangerous as there is no safety equipment except the own climber’s skill, determination, and the mood of nature itself. Not recommended to even watch for the faint of heart…
The Gear You Need…
- Rope: Comes in a static form used mainly for anchoring, and rappelling. The other class is dynamic and stretches to absorb the energy from a fall.
- Webbing: A multi-purpose sewn tube of nylon. Some uses include being an anchor around rocks or trees, An anchor extension, carrying equipment, protecting expensive rope hanging over sharp edges, and many other uses.
- Quickdraws: Used to connect ropes to bolts or other types of fall protection. Many times they come pre-attached to climbing walls in indoor gyms.
- Carabiners: Metal spring-loaded loops used to make connections. The shape and type of gate (opening) varies depending on the use of the carabiner. Two basic versions are locking and non-locking. Vital connections, on a belay device, or on an anchor point require locking carabiners. Non-locking carabiners are often a part of quickdraws.
- Harness: A vital part of most climbing forms. Connects the climber to the rope.
- Belay Device (ATC): Links a belayer on the ground to an ascending climber (or repelling). The belayer takes and gives rope to the climber based on verbal commands. “ATC” refers to perhaps the most common line of belaying devices from Black Diamond.
- Protection Devices: Small pieces of metal attached to a wire loop. Common forms include nuts and hexes.
- Chalk: Used by the climber to absorb moisture on their hands. Commonly stored in a bag in powder and ball form.
Perfect Practice Makes Perfect…
A short list of some equipment vital for any rock climbing training regimen…
- Training boards and fingerboards: Used by hanging to strengthen various grips. These are the most common and arguably the best way of increasing contact strength.
- Grip Savers: used to strengthen the ligaments in the hands and forearms.
- Training Balls: Small 3″-4″ balls used to hang off of and improve endurance.
- Campus Boards: Horizontal rods attached to an overhang. Can improve finger strength.
The action now is to visit your local indoor climbing gym for more in-depth instruction, and to experience the exciting world of rock climbing for yourself!!!
Indoor Climbing For Beginners.