How to Rock Climb – The Different Types of Rock Climbing

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June 25, 2011


When learning How To Rock Climb these are the more common styles or types of rocks climbing.

Bouldering – climbing low routes that are relatively safe without the use of ropes. Components for safety may include a pad of some sort at the base of the climb and/or someone on the ground to direct a climber away from potential hazardous areas.

Top-roping – an anchor at the top of a route provides a point to run the rope through as it is tied from climber to belayer. The belayer then is responsible for making sure the climber does not fall very far. This is considered the safest type of rock climbing, and is ideal for the newcomer.

Traditional climbing – the climber or climbers place any and all required safety gear as they climb and remove it as they progress, when they have completed the climb, nothing is left behind. This form of climbing does not deface the natural rock and leaves no trace after the climbers are gone, therefore ecologically it is the best form of climbing, though perhaps not the safest.

Sport climbing – in sport climbing any and all safety gear is permanently attached to the rock along the determined span or route(s).

Scrambling – in scrambling the climber basically uses his hands and feet to accomplish a route. Scrambling is generally a free solo style, however protection and rope are used on advanced routes that are “technically”, normally scramble routes.

Free climbing – a form of climbing where the climber may use safety gear as a backup to prevent injury, but only uses their strength, balance and ability to actually perform the climb. This is in contrast to aid-climbing where the climber utilizes the gear to help reach the summit.

Lead climbing – The leader will climb from the start point with his rope as the second climber belays him. He establishes or utilizes intermediate safety points as they progress through the climb. The second climber catches up to the lead climber at every point, and thus they belay each other as they go.

Aid climbing – as the climber ascends the route they place gear at intervals to assist or “aid” the climb. In this type of climbing the gear and rope may be used to directly help the climber reach each point in the climb.

Free soloing – the climber climbs alone and without the use of any safety gear. This type of climbing is probably the most dangerous and potentially lethal.

Rope soloing – a form of climbing where the climber starts a route with the rope tied off allowing them to belay themselves as they go. This could be done as free climbing or aid climbing or even a combination of the two.

Solo aid climbing – this type of climbing usually involves a harness and at least some safety gear or protection but no rope. The climber will free climb as much as possible and only use safety gear as required by the circumstance. The climber may or may not use the gear to “aid” in the climb.

Deep water soloing – this is a form of free soloing where a climbers route on the rock face is over a body of water deep enough to protect the climber from serious injury in the event of a fall.

Simultaneous (simul) climbing – this is climbing where two climbers progress up a route at the same time. Much like lead climbing except the roles may reverse at any given time. A form of traditional climbing, usually one climber places the safety gear and the other collects it as they go.

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Climbing – Protective Gear Basics

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June 24, 2011


Climbing is an exhilarating and adventurous sport which requires endurance and stamina. Due to the nature of the sport there is more risk of injury than most other activities. This makes having the right protective equipment (or “pro”) that much more important. There is no one single piece of equipment that will ensure your safety; a combination of equipment is necessary to prevent injury or fatality.

Cams are devices that you place into cracks or holes to provide protection from falls. They are spring-loaded so as to expand and hold when they are inserted and pressure is applied; the more pressure that is applied, i.e. your body weight, the harder they grip. They come in a variety of sizes so as to fit in various sizes of cracks and holes.

From the cam, a karabiner (or “biner) is attached. A biner is a ring with a spring opening and it is used to attach your ropes and harness. D-rings are a type of biner which is ultra strong to hold your weight and prevent your from falling.

Another basic type of pro is the nut which is small and usually in the shape of a nut. They have a hole through which a cable is threaded to attach another piece of equipment such as a D-ring. The proper placement of nuts takes experience; you have to judge which crack to insert them in that will safely support the weight.

Another piece of equipment that is inserted in cracks to support weight is a hexentric (or “hex”). This piece of equipment is passive meaning that it doesn’t have moving parts and is meant to remain stable. They are six sided, usually barrel shaped and to be used in parallel-sided cracks. As with a nut, proper hex placement requires skill and experience.

Runners are short loops or straps used to sling around an immobile object such as a tree or outcropping. They are usually made of a combination of nylon and other durable and strong material.

Pitons are spike shaped tools that provide a stay for your rope. They are hammered in place and are made to hold your weight. Their grip can be so strong that removing them can be more challenging than anchoring them. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes to accommodate different terrain and preferences.

Knowing your protective climbing equipment and how to use it is essential to the sport of climbing. Learn how to use it properly and with time and experience it will become second nature. Ofcourse do remember that even with all the tips, tricks and tools the current weather will determine how your trip finally goes.

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Mountain and Rock Climbing With Your MP3 Player – The Advantages of Music

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June 19, 2011


Mountain climbing and rock climbing can be one of the most terrifying sports anyone can ever do, and yet, it is one of the most exhilarating, challenging, and rewarding of all human activities. Still, the excruciating pain that comes from muscles that are fully depleted, and the draining of all your human strength while your muscles shake and your mind wants to give up is the kind of self-induced adversity that tests a man’s soul, his very essence.

At some point, you realize that you can go back and you don’t have enough energy to go forward (up), and yet, you have to; to survive. You wind up reaching down into your gut for more, begging for just a few more ounces of strength, and then shooting another burst of adrenaline, looking for an answer to your command for a little more energy. Energy from anywhere, you don’t care where, because without it, you are toast. And even in this ultimate challenge of life-and-death, enjoying the journey with your MP3 player and your favorite music; it can make all the difference.

It is truly incredible how you can be playing one of your favorite songs while you are Mountain climbing, and then every time you play that song no matter where you are, you might be at home, in your car, or even standing in line at the DMV as that vivid memory of the mountain comes back and reminds you of what you’re made out of.

Your mind flashes back and you cannot help it, you remember as if it was yesterday. And all you can do is give a little grin and a smile and think back how you pressed on, and refused to give up when other men wouldn’t dare to take that challenge. This is why I take my MP3 player on the mountain, why do you?

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Learn the Basic Skills of Rock Climbing

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June 18, 2011


Today in this modern world of ours, rock climbing has become a very popular sport and pastime. Rock climbing can be done indoors on climbing walls, which is a great way to get the feel for it. Most people prefer to climb on mountains, this can be local or anywhere in the world. The growing popularity of this sport and pastime has made it accessible to many people across the world. But to climb mountains, you must have some basic skills of mountaineering. If you do not have the basic skills of climbing you will be advised to take some training. You certainly need to know the basic skills to prevent injuries and to be able to climb safely, therefore training for rock climbing is essential.

Any skills of rock climbing you may have will help you discover your personal goals and help you improve your endurance. Once you start climbing, you may find that there are some levels in terms of difficulty, here the climber must choose the route or mountain that is based on their own current skills. If you have a love for the taste of traditional climbing you may find that it is very difficult for the novice. For this you will need more technical skills associated with climbing the use of the climbing equipment that will be used.

What are the basic skills you need when you start rock climbing? First and foremost, I would say that you must have the courage to climb mountains and to walk the very often long distance to the base of the mountain. Anyone who is not very fit will certainly struggle. Therefore, you need to improve your fitness and stamina before a long day of climbing. To achieve this, you can do regular workouts at the gym or running and swimming will keep you fit and build your muscles you need for climbing.

Another skill you need to have is strength in your body, especially the muscles of the legs and arms. This is because you may have to hang on to the rock face with just your fingertips or stand on a ledge that is only a few inches wide, all this will put a great strain on your muscles.

Another skill that you will require is how to use any of the climbing equipment that you need. Watching other climbers may make it look easy but it is not, you will need to know how to use all the equipment in different circumstances in which you may encounter while on the mountain.

Besides all these skills you will also have to have some knowledge on what type of clothes to wear and when. Perfect fitting clothes will help to protect you from the weather. It could also one day save your life. After extending the knowledge for use in apparel sometimes can save your life climbing the rock.

To enhance your climbing performance you must master the basic skills of rock climbing first. Always seek out help if you are unsure about something, never be afraid to ask. It is also recommended that someone accompanies you on your climbing activity. What are you waiting for, go climb your mountain!

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Best Mountain Boots For Climbing in the Rockies

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June 17, 2011


Hiking and also backpacking is a great way to discover the countryside and get closer to na. It can be a great experience and fun in all seasons provided that you dress appropriately according to the weather and terrain conditions. It can be done in one day as a day trip or some people like to take along a tent and enough supplies to camp out for a few days and complete a longer hiking or backpacking trip.

Hiking it could be said is the fundamental outdoor sport which can be part of or lead you on to towards various extreme sports such as mountaineering or rock climbing, camping, or navigation pursuits such as geocaching and many other outdoor ventures. All of these outdoor excursions require you to be physically and mentally fit. The reason is that these outdoor excursions require great amount of concentration, endurance, stamina and strength. When you are planning for a hike with a group of friends or family relatives, there are a few things you must do.

It is beneficial to accompany an experienced hiker if you are planning a hiking trip for the very first time. An experienced hiker will give you ample information related to hiking and camping even if you are planning to do. People who are fond of hiking usually plan this outdoor excursion for pleasant weather or climate. During hiking you need to feel comfortable throughout the journey. Too much hot or cold climate will for sure make you uncomfortable during your hiking trip. Most of the people who go for hiking trips are basically fond of nature or are keen about their physical fitness and well being. It is also an escape from the hectic daily routine which enables you to relax your mind and work out freely. Hiking is the lightest form of different outdoor exercises which you can carry out easily.

Then there is mountaineering, this can be described as an extreme outdoor sport, which is much more adventurous than hiking alone, however when going mountaineering the hike to the mountain or up the easy part of the mountain is also part of the trip. There are some mountaineering tips which must be followed throughout, regardless of your skills related to mountaineering. First of all your priority is safety. Mountaineering takes your physical patience and potential to extreme limits. So it is wise enough to have a sound health, before going on a mountaineering venture. Most of the people take training classes and exercises which are essential for mountaineering. By doing this they are able to make their mountaineering trip a more exciting and a memorable one.

For both mountaineering and hiking, it is vital to have a proper foot gear long with other necessities. There are various hiking and mountaineering boots available in market, which you can choose from, according to your finances and nature of hiking or mountaineering. Having proper foot wear and choosing the best mountaineering boots will obviously make your hiking or mountaineering trip more comfortable and a memorable one for the right reasons, there is nothing worse than having memories of painful feet or even chilblains because you did not take the appropriate footwear.

As well as tough mountain boots there are now also sandals designed for hiking. This especially made type of sandal is quite popular with light hiking activities. Sandals provide a proper room to your feet for ventilation and also give a feeling of lightness while you are walking. These sandals are totally comfortable for hiking. You can choose different styles of sandals according to your choice. These sandals come in different strap styles and designs. Sandals are great for excessive warm weather, or are even useful for crossing different low streams or other water channels.

Then there are some boots and shoes designed for hiking and light mountaineering. These shoes come with high cuts and have additional padding and sole. These shoes are equally useful for hiking and mountaineering where the terrain does not involve climbing but rather just cross country type mountaineering as well. The soles of these trail shoes are quite tough and strong and protect you from rough ground surfaces and poor weather conditions These are tough shoes for rock climbing and mountaineering specially. These special shoes provide you a firm grip on rocks and minimize the chances of slipping. It is essential because losing your foot grip can lead to severe injury or can even cost you your life. These shoes are purpose made from materials that are suitable for different weather conditions. These shoes also come in high cut which provides ample support to your feet and ankle and minimize the chances of ankle sprain. They also prevents water and dust from the outside to touch your feet. Remember however for extreme mountaineering you need purpose made boots as well as other additional safety gear, clothing and tools and equipment.

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