| Rock climbing is the art of scaling or climbing up a | | | | Skill acquisition through training and experience are |
| natural rock formation to reach the top (summit), | | | | also very important to a climber. Climbing is a |
| a stopping point, or the end of a predetermined | | | | potentially dangerous sport and must be treated |
| "route". There are probably as many opinions on | | | | as such! while a good climber will always look to |
| how to rock climb as there are climbers. | | | | "stretch" his or her abilities, they should never |
| Make no mistake about it; rock climbing is a sport. | | | | attempt a route that far surpasses their skill level. |
| Although it is not an Olympic event, it is | | | | There are two basic types of rock climbing - |
| recognized by the International Olympic | | | | traditional or "trad" and sport climbing. Within these |
| Committee (I.O.C.) as a sport. All sports have | | | | two types are several categories due to the |
| their respective equipment or "gear" and rock | | | | many different formations available around the |
| climbing is no exception. Rock climbers must | | | | world. Knowledge of these types and styles is |
| maintain a variety of specialized "tools" including | | | | crucial to evaluating and executing each climb |
| but not limited to; climbing shoes, harnesses, chalk | | | | safely. |
| sack, rope, and a host of anchors and other gear. | | | | Newcomers to the sport are encouraged to start |
| As with any sport, climbers are athletes and as | | | | with "bouldering" and/or "top-roping", (both will be |
| such must be in good physical condition. A climber | | | | covered in another article). A smart potential |
| relies on strength, endurance, skill, and balance to | | | | climber will start with the basics and advance to |
| keep safe from injury while enjoying the climb | | | | the next level of skill only after having mastered |
| and not exhausting all their energy. Keeping fit is a | | | | the previous, all the while working on their |
| large part of the climbers lifestyle because it could | | | | strength and endurance. Remember, safety first |
| make the difference between fulfillment and | | | | is the name of this game! |
| serious injury or even death. | | | | |