| So you want to be a rock climber. You'd like to | | | | fail-safe system to catch the lead climber in case |
| climb a rock wall or maybe hang off the side of a | | | | she falls. |
| rock formation somewhere. Well, you'll have | | | | If this is a multi-pitch route, the partner picks up |
| several styles to choose from to do it. It could be | | | | the anchor points on the way up. The climbers |
| pretty easy and safe or you could seriously risk | | | | then proceed to the next pitch. If it's a single |
| your life. Either way, you'll need to know exactly | | | | pitch, the anchor points are cleaned (taken out) |
| what you're doing. There should be no room for | | | | on the way down by the last climber. This is a |
| guess work. | | | | great way to help keep criticisms at bay that |
| Rock climbing is climbing to the summit of a | | | | rock climbers litter the natural landscape. All |
| natural rock formation or climbing to the summit | | | | climbers should live the creed: Take nothing, leave |
| of a manmade rock wall. It could also be climbing | | | | nothing. |
| to a designated endpoint on a climbing route. It | | | | æ Traditional Climbing and Sport Climbing. |
| doesn't always mean that you've got to reach | | | | These methods of climbing are both styles of |
| the very top. A sectional climb like this is referred | | | | lead climbing. The difference is in how the |
| to as a pitch. If you're climbing several routes | | | | protection is placed. In sport climbing, the anchors |
| consecutively, it would be considered a multi-pitch | | | | are already set. You needn't worry about placing |
| climb. | | | | them or removing them. In traditional climbing, the |
| Rock climbing has been around for nearly a | | | | anchors are placed as the climb progresses and |
| hundred years. Climbers have encountered many | | | | then removed by the last climber. |
| kinds of rock formations all around the world. It's | | | | æ Free Solo Climbing. This is also called free |
| not surprising then that rock climbing has branched | | | | soloing. It is the most advanced form of rock |
| into several more distinct styles. Most of the rock | | | | climbing. The climber uses nothing for protection. |
| climbing done today is considered to be a form of | | | | No anchor points, no belay, no rope and no |
| free climbing. This involves using solely one's own | | | | harness. If he falls, he falls unencumbered all the |
| physical ability to climb. Equipment is used but only | | | | way down. It's quite frightening. Accidents, in this |
| as a means of protection from falling. | | | | case, are tragic. You've got to be fit, skilled and |
| æ Aid climbing. The safest method of rock | | | | have great emotional and psychological control to |
| climbing is aid climbing. Equipment is used for all | | | | do this successfully. Be more than ready. Be |
| handholds and all footholds, meaning that the | | | | extremely more than ready. Your life depends on |
| climber is assisted every step of the way. When | | | | it. |
| rock climbing first began, this method allowed for | | | | If you decide to free solo, be very weary of the |
| ascents that were believed impossible. It was this | | | | weather. The climbing may be going just fine and |
| fantastic enabling quality of aid climbing that helped | | | | then it rains. This could prove fatal to this kind of |
| to bring such interest to the sport. | | | | climber. Dry, sunny days are what you want. |
| æ Bouldering. This style of rock climbing | | | | Don't risk your life. |
| involves short climbing routes that are near | | | | æ Deep water soloing. The only "safe" |
| enough to the ground that a fall should not result | | | | method of free soloing is deep water soloing. This |
| in the climber's death. There is no rope or harness | | | | is climbing done on sea cliffs over water. While |
| but, preferably, there is a helmet. The only other | | | | falling into the ocean beneath a cliff face seems |
| option for protection is to use a bouldering pad | | | | better than falling on hard ground, it isn't |
| (protective mat). The climbing partner (an | | | | particularly safe. You've got to be aware of the |
| absolute necessity) on the ground usually directs | | | | tides and of prevailing wave action, of submerged |
| the location of this pad, aligning it with the | | | | boulders or coral islands. Not only that but, if |
| climber's location. The climbing partner is also the | | | | you're climbing more than 80 feet above the |
| all-seeing eye that warns the climber of hazardous | | | | surface of the water, the impact alone could |
| areas. | | | | prove fatal. Mind your elevation. |
| æ Top Roping. This is probably the easiest | | | | æ Indoor Climbing. This designation is for all |
| and safest way to free climb. A rope is already | | | | rock climbing done indoors. Climbing is done on |
| secured through an anchor at the top of the | | | | man-made rock climbing walls. Any style is |
| climb. A belayer, your climbing partner, holds onto | | | | permitted, although not free soloing. You're |
| the opposite end of the rope, controlling any give | | | | required to wear and use all safety gear. This |
| or take while keeping it taut. | | | | would be the safest and most recommended |
| æ Lead Climbing. This involves a lead climber | | | | way to learn how to rock climb. |
| who ascends with one end of a rope tied to his | | | | There you have it, all the ways to rock climb. It |
| harness. The belayer, the leader's partner, holds | | | | could be a highly dangerous activity where you |
| onto the other end of the rope, giving or taking | | | | risk your life at every moment. Or it could be |
| up slack as needed. The lead climber sets up a | | | | very safe and protected without worry. Just use |
| belay system as she climbs, securing safety | | | | caution at all times. And, please, don't ever climb |
| anchors for her partner to use, which is also the | | | | outdoors alone. You know you're just asking for it. |