Rock Climbing - So You Want to Be a Rock Climber

So you want to be a rock climber. You'd like to climb a rock wall or maybe hang off the side of a rock formation somewhere. Well, you'll have several styles to choose from to do it. It could be pretty easy and safe or you could seriously risk your life. Either way, you'll need to know exactly what you're doing. There should be no room for guess work.

Rock climbing is climbing to the summit of a natural rock formation or climbing to the summit of a manmade rock wall. It could also be climbing to a designated endpoint on a climbing route. It doesn't always mean that you've got to reach the very top. A sectional climb like this is referred to as a pitch. If you're climbing several routes consecutively, it would be considered a multi-pitch climb.

Rock climbing has been around for nearly a hundred years. Climbers have encountered many kinds of rock formations all around the world. It's not surprising then that rock climbing has branched into several more distinct styles. Most of the rock climbing done today is considered to be a form of free climbing. This involves using solely one's own physical ability to climb. Equipment is used but only as a means of protection from falling.

æ Aid climbing. The safest method of rock climbing is aid climbing. Equipment is used for all handholds and all footholds, meaning that the climber is assisted every step of the way. When rock climbing first began, this method allowed for ascents that were believed impossible. It was this fantastic enabling quality of aid climbing that helped to bring such interest to the sport.

æ Bouldering. This style of rock climbing involves short climbing routes that are near enough to the ground that a fall should not result in the climber's death. There is no rope or harness but, preferably, there is a helmet. The only other option for protection is to use a bouldering pad (protective mat). The climbing partner (an absolute necessity) on the ground usually directs the location of this pad, aligning it with the climber's location. The climbing partner is also the all-seeing eye that warns the climber of hazardous areas.

æ Top Roping. This is probably the easiest and safest way to free climb. A rope is already secured through an anchor at the top of the climb. A belayer, your climbing partner, holds onto the opposite end of the rope, controlling any give or take while keeping it taut.

æ Lead Climbing. This involves a lead climber who ascends with one end of a rope tied to his harness. The belayer, the leader's partner, holds onto the other end of the rope, giving or taking up slack as needed. The lead climber sets up a belay system as she climbs, securing safety anchors for her partner to use, which is also the fail-safe system to catch the lead climber in case she falls.

If this is a multi-pitch route, the partner picks up the anchor points on the way up. The climbers then proceed to the next pitch. If it's a single pitch, the anchor points are cleaned (taken out) on the way down by the last climber. This is a great way to help keep criticisms at bay that rock climbers litter the natural landscape. All climbers should live the creed: Take nothing, leave nothing.

æ Traditional Climbing and Sport Climbing. These methods of climbing are both styles of lead climbing. The difference is in how the protection is placed. In sport climbing, the anchors are already set. You needn't worry about placing them or removing them. In traditional climbing, the anchors are placed as the climb progresses and then removed by the last climber.

æ Free Solo Climbing. This is also called free soloing. It is the most advanced form of rock climbing. The climber uses nothing for protection. No anchor points, no belay, no rope and no harness. If he falls, he falls unencumbered all the way down. It's quite frightening. Accidents, in this case, are tragic. You've got to be fit, skilled and have great emotional and psychological control to do this successfully. Be more than ready. Be extremely more than ready. Your life depends on it.

If you decide to free solo, be very weary of the weather. The climbing may be going just fine and then it rains. This could prove fatal to this kind of climber. Dry, sunny days are what you want. Don't risk your life.

æ Deep water soloing. The only "safe" method of free soloing is deep water soloing. This is climbing done on sea cliffs over water. While falling into the ocean beneath a cliff face seems better than falling on hard ground, it isn't particularly safe. You've got to be aware of the tides and of prevailing wave action, of submerged boulders or coral islands. Not only that but, if you're climbing more than 80 feet above the surface of the water, the impact alone could prove fatal. Mind your elevation.

æ Indoor Climbing. This designation is for all rock climbing done indoors. Climbing is done on man-made rock climbing walls. Any style is permitted, although not free soloing. You're required to wear and use all safety gear. This would be the safest and most recommended way to learn how to rock climb.

There you have it, all the ways to rock climb. It could be a highly dangerous activity where you risk your life at every moment. Or it could be very safe and protected without worry. Just use caution at all times. And, please, don't ever climb outdoors alone. You know you're just asking for it.

Mountain Climbing

Mountain Climbing is a challenging sport that requires mental commitment , fitness, strength in your arm and legs that will allow you to handle the degree of difficulty that the climb demands. Mental commitment is crucial otherwise your strength is unchanneled. When you are faced with difficult obstacles you have two choices: give up or do it. Climbing enthusiast claim that the sense of achievement and satisfaction in reaching the top of a climb is terrific. You have challenged yourself and won and this is why these daredevils love it.

Rock Climbing began as a man's sport. This has changed in recent years as ever increasing numbers of women have become involved. The first women climbers were involved in mountain climbing and rock climbing was a part of that. The major difference in mountain climbing and rock climbing is that the mountain climber is seeking the easy way to ascend to the top of the mountain while the rock climber is looking for the hardest way. However, sometimes rock climbing is the only way on certain sections of the climb. So, when women began to climb mountains, they naturally began to climb rocks as well.

Mountain Climbing Journals

Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent mountain climbing experience. What sticks out in your mind? Now think about the first time you ever went mountain climbing. Undoubtedly, you remember few things about the geography, people you went with, particular mountain climbing routes and spectacular views. The experiences you've forgotten are lost to time. If you keep a mountain climbing journal, this won't be the case.

History of Rock Climbing

Rock climbing was earlier seen as a part of mountaineering; mountaineers indulged in rock climbing in preparation for a climbing expedition. Early climbers in Germany and Great Britain were passionate about this sport and set remarkable standards of rock climbing. By the 1920's, rock climbing started gaining a foothold in the United States. Aid climbing and free climbing are two traditional climbing methods. Aid climbing involves the use of climbing equipment whereas free climbing depends only on the ability, skill, and physical strength of the climber.

Mountain Climbing Gear

Mountain climbing is a very popular sport. It is very exciting, adventurous and fun, provided you do it the right way. Mountaineering depends on your route, your partner and your level of expertise. Mountain climbing can also be very risky, as much depends on the weather, the mountain, and other conditions. Being equipped with the right kind of gear is very important for mountain climbing. These days, there is very good equipment for climbing available. The gear is being made to be very durable, strong and light weight.

There are quite a few different rock climbing gear package available. You can browse the rock climbing gear package and decide which one is the right one for you and the type of climbing you do best. You can purchase a Big Air Package from Black Diamond. This features a belay device that is easy to use. It is reliable for the beginner as well as the veteran. It has Airlock2 biners that are easily manipulated with just one hand and the square hinge end will hold your belay loop in place. This rock climbing gear package is not expensive.

Mountain climbing experiences are unpredictable. Because of this, it not only physically stimulates you, but mentally as well. Environment can range from freezing to sweltering hot (even in the same day!) as altitude, weather and sub angles change. These changes challenge your mental ability to plan in advance, improve, problem solve, and navigate, while physically challenging your physical conditioning and climbing skills.

Hazards of Mountain Climbing

While mountain climbing can be one of the most exciting and challenging sports, there are also many dangers involved in mountain climbing which one should consider. To decrease the odds of falling victim to a damaging or fatal injury on the mountain, make sure that you are aware of all of the hazards and take appropriate safety precautions. In this article we will look at some of the common dangers that one faces when climbing.