Rockclimbing » Articles

Bouldering

admin4rockclimbing — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:56:08 +0000

Once used as a training method, bouldering has become a means to an end for many who boulder exclusively. Boulder problems range from a few moves to many extremely intricate techniques. Bouldering allows climbers to focus mainly on the crux of a problem with out the hindrance of a rope. The equipment used for this climbing method include climbing shoes, chalk bag, and a crash pad. The challenge of bouldering vary with each unique problem and many boulder problems can be climbed in different ways. Just remember that rock climbing is an inherently dangerous hobbie so always check and double check all of your gear and anchor points.

Ice Climbing

admin4rockclimbing — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:15:43 +0000

Ice climbing is not a leisurely pursuit. You can’t slip on a pair of climbing shoes and head out to your local ice climb. You have to take into account many factors that are unique to this type of climbing such as protective clothing, boots, crampons, ice ax, and ice screws to name a few. Ice is inherently slippery so you can’t rely on friction as in other forms of climbing. Instead of hand holds you must use an ice ax and instead of smearing or edging your shoe you have to kick into the ice with your crampons. Ice climbing is unique, challenging, and a required skill for alpine climbing. Just remember that climbing is an inherently dangerous hobbie so always check and double check all of your gear and anchor points.

Trad Climbing

admin4rockclimbing — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:10:58 +0000

Traditional or Trad climbing is considered by many to be one of the purest forms of climbing. It requires a “lead” climber to climb a route while on belay. As the lead climber progresses he places various pieces of protection such as camming devices, nuts, and slings in cracks and natural rock features. Trad climbing requires an intimate understanding of the mechanics of gear as well as rock features. Your life depends on proper gear placement. Once the lead climber reaches either the top on a single pitch route, or a belay anchor point on multiple pitch routes, he anchors and prepares to belay the second climber. Second climber then ties in and proceeds to climb the route established by the lead climber. As the second climber progresses he removes the gear previously placed by the lead climber. Removing the gear is often referred to as “cleaning” the route. The second climber doesn’t rely on the placed gear for safety as he is being belayed by the lead climber from an established anchor point. The route is finished once the second climber reaches the belayer on a single pitch route. On a multiple pitch route the second climber reaches the lead climber (belayer) and anchors himself in. Then the lead climber ties in and the whole process starts over again until they complete all of the pitches. Just remember that rock climbing is an inherently dangerous hobby so always check and double check all of your gear and anchor points.

Sport Climbing

admin4rockclimbing — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:21:18 +0000

Sport climbing routes have fixed bolted anchors at spaced intervals. As the lead climber climbs the route he clips into the anchor points using a quickdraw (two carabiners connected by a sling of varying length). As the lead climber reaches the top of a climb he connects himself to anchor points, disconnects the rope from his harness and attaches a belay device. Belayer at the bottom of the route removes his belay device and ties the rope into the load bearing point on his harness using a figure 8 knot. Top man belays bottom man as he ascends the route removing quickdraws as he climbs. Requiring the use of quickdraws and lead climbing techniques, sport climbing offers a more technical variant to sport climbing. Just remember that rock climbing is an inherently dangerous hobby so always check and double check all of your gear and anchor points.

Top Roping

admin4rockclimbing — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:38:07 +0000

Top roping is a safe and versatile method of climbing. It’s a great way for beginners to learn technique and experts to hone their skills. Top roping requires access to the top of a climb where you place slings around anchors. These slings are then connected via carabiners (preferably two opposing) which the rope is run through. Back at the bottom, climber will tie one end of the rope to the load bearing point on his harness with a figure 8 knot. Then belayer will attach a belay device (ATC, Figure 8, Gri Gri, etc.) to the other end. As the climber climbs the belayer will take out slack. Good communication is essential. The fast set up and minimal gear requirements make top roping a fun user friendly method of climbing with a fast learning curve. Just remember that rock climbing is an inherently dangerous hobby so always check and double check all of your gear and anchor points.