Adventure Education Rock Climbing

Getting Started Rock Climbing For physical fitness, fun and, yes, adrenaline, nothing beats rock climbing. Despite its daredevil reputation, rock climbing can be enjoyed safely by any reasonably fit person with proper instruction and equipment.

Indoor Sport Climbing This can be at a climbing gym, sports club or even a home climbing wall. Indoor walls have artificial hand and foot holds placed in sequence to create routes of varying difficulty. Indoor sport climbing offers a great way for beginners to get started. It allows you to try the sport with rented gear before investing in your own. There are routes for all levels of ability. If you have a fear of heights, indoor climbing can be less daunting than climbing outside. No matter what your level of expertise, climbing the walls at an indoor gym makes you stronger, leaner and more graceful.

Outdoor Rock Climbing Outdoor climbing is not as predictable as indoor climbing, but it comes with a near-guarantee of beautiful scenery, great exercise and unbeatable camaraderie. Bouldering: is close-to-the-ground climbing without a rope, going only as high as you can jump off without risking serious injury. Beginners can traverse, working on strength and movement without going so high as to risk a serious fall. Sport climbing: Climbing got easier and safer in the 1990s with the addition of pre-placed bolts. This "clip-and-go" style of climbing allows the leader to progress upwards without the worry of placing protection. Requires only a rope, quickdraws, shoes and a chalk bag.

Outdoor Rock Climbing Traditional ("trad") climbing: Trad climbing is true adventure. A trad route is one that has few permanent anchors. The lead climber protects himself from a catastrophic fall by placing protection, nuts or camming devices, into fissures in the rock. The second climber removes the protection, and it's then placed again for further pitches. Other types of climbing: such as soloing, ice climbing or big-wall climbing.

Climbing Route Ratings Routes are rated by the hardest move on the route. In the U.S., the Yosemite Decimal Rating System is most commonly used to classify climbing difficulty. Class 1-3 are routes where you can walk with little or no assistance, Class 4 is steeper but can still be walked; most people would use a rope to avoid falls. Class 5 is technical and belayed roping with protection is required.

Class Easy – Large foot and hand holds. 5.5 – 5.8 Intermediate – Small foot and hand holds. Strength and skill required. 5.9 – 5.10 Hard – Technical, vertical and may have overhangs – 5.12 Difficult - Technical, vertical and may have overhangs. Rock shoes required – 5.15 Very Difficult.

Basic Climbing Gear Tip: Be safe. Always inspect your gear before climbing—whether you own it or rent it. While climbing equipment has some of the most stringent manufacturing safety standards in the world, frequent use inevitably results in some wear and tear. Eventually you'll want to get your own. The advantage of buying your own gear is that you know its history.

Climbing Ropes You can fall up to 50 feet in about 2 seconds. A climbing rope is your lifeline and a very specialized piece of gear. Dynamic: This is a rock climbing rope because it has elasticity worked into it. Static: This is a relatively stiff rope that, unlike dynamic rope, does not have much elasticity. Care tip: Protect your rope. Don't step on it. Always check ropes and slings for cuts and abrasion before you climb. Avoid high friction and excessive heat from speedy rappels and lowers.

Climbing Harness Unless you are bouldering, you need a climbing harness. Waistbelt: This sits over the hips and must fit snugly. Leg loops: One loop goes around each leg. Your harness allows you to tie into the rope safely and efficiently. All harnesses have a front tie-in point designed specifically for threading the rope and tying in. Fit tip: Test if the waistbelt is tight enough by opening your hand and slipping it between your body and the harness. Then make a fist. If the harness is fitting properly, you should not be able to pull your fist back out.

Carabineers These strong, light metal rings with spring-loaded gates connect the climbing rope to pieces of climbing protection. Oval: A basic 'biner that can be used for just about any climbing situation. All-around Use. D-shape: Stronger because the D shape can withstand more outward force. Lighter, Stronger, easier to clip. Asymmetrical D-shape: Smaller at one end to reduce weight, and the shape tends to push the rope to the solid side. Straight: Spring-loaded, opens easily when pushed, rotates closed. Bent: Designed for easy clipping, but should not be used for protection. Locking: Used when a single carabineer is needed and for extra protection, as in belaying. Wire: Uses a loop of stainless-steel wire for a gate.

Belay Device This is used to control the rope in order to secure a climber's progress. Used correctly, a belay device can be used to can catch a fall, lower a climber, play the rope out as the climber advances or reel in the rope to provide tension. There are several styles—tubular, self-braking, figure-8, and the Eddie

Climbing Helmet When you should always wear a helmet made specifically for climbing. Climbing helmets are designed to cushion your head from falling rock and debris, as well as provide protection in the case of a fall. A helmet should feel comfortable, fit snugly but not too tight and sit flat on your head. Many helmets are adjustable, so you can dial in a custom fit.

Rock Climbing Shoes Climbing shoes protect your feet while providing the friction you need to grip footholds. Rock shoes should fit snugly but not painfully tight. The general rule is that the harder you climb, the closer-fitting the shoe should be. Tip: Because rock shoes are so form-fitting, they aren't comfortable for walking long distances. If the hike from your car to the base of your climbing area involves some scrambling on rock slabs, wear "approach shoes." Climbing shoes are for climbing only—change into them once you reach the start of the climb.

Quick-draws A quick-draw consists of 2 carabineers connected by a sling (also called a runner). While you can fashion your own from webbing and carabineers, pre-stitched 'draws greatly increase speed and efficiency when clipping bolts, making them essential for sport climbing. Pre-stitched quick-draws are convenient for clipping onto bolts, ropes and gear.

Climbing Protection Often simply called "pro," these devices are used in traditional climbing to secure a climbing rope to the rock. Placed properly in a crack or hole, they prevent a climber from falling any significant distance. Types of protection include cams, chocks and nuts Active: These have movable parts, such as a spring- loaded camming device (SLCD) that can adapt to fit a variety of cracks. Passive: These are made from a single piece of metal and have no movable parts, such as a Hexcentric.

Other Gear Considerations Clothing: Wear clothing that is not restrictive and won't get in the way of you or the rope. It should breathe and manage moisture so you stay warm or cool while climbing. If you climb outdoors, always plan for changing conditions. Chalk: Just like gymnasts, climbers use chalk to improve their grip. Chalk absorbs perspiration on your hands. Chalk is carried in a small pouch slung from your waist by a lightweight belt. Crash pads: A must for bouldering, these dense foam pads are placed under the climber to cushion a fall or jump.

Top-roping Top-roped climbing is when your rope is anchored from above - You are belayed by your partner who is usually standing below When top-roping single-pitch climbs from the ground, the belayer holds one end of the rope and pulls in slack, keeping the rope taunt. The rope goes up through the anchor on top of the climb, then loops back to a secure knot tied to your harness. The climber attaches to the rope using a follow-through figure-8 knot with a simple overhand knot to keep any excess rope (the "tail") out of the way. Before starting the climb, partners should always double-check each other's knots, harness buckles and locking 'biners to ensure the system is perfect.

Belaying The technique used to stop another climber's fall. Belaying is one of the first things a novice climber should learn. The belay device is attached to the belayer's harness, with the rope winding through the device and then extending to the other climber. Tip: If you are belaying, avoid standing directly under the climber in case of falling rock (or dropped gear). The brake hand is kept in a closed fist, and never leaves the rope. The belayer’s job is to keep pulling in rope to eliminate any slack. Tip: Always pay attention to the climber you are belaying. Be alert and ready for a fall.

Communication It is important to communicate with each other. Climbers rely on a checklist of commands for safety. Communication between belayer and climber is a key to safety and teamwork. Climber: "Belay on?" Belayer: "Belay is on." Climber: "Climbing." Belayer: "Climb on." Climber: "Take." Belayer: "Show me your hands." Climber: "Ready to lower." Belayer: "OK, lower." Climber: "Off belay." Belayer: "Belay off."

Basic Climbing Technique The most important rule is to climb safely. Keep the weight on your feet instead of gripping and holding yourself with your arms, you won't tire as quickly. Other good practices: – Keep your heels lower than your toes. – Use the friction of your shoes. – Use your hands for balance. – Move fluidly.

Safety Tips Be careful and alert. Use the right kind of equipment. Don't overexert yourself. Stay within your limits. Avoid areas where there is a lot of loose rock. If you displace a rock or drop a piece of equipment, yell "Rock!" to warn others. If someone else yells "rock," don't look up. Test foot and handholds before using them. Don't climb in bad weather. Watch out for critters residing in handholds. Always safety-check your harness, rope, belay device and knots before climbing. Wear a helmet when climbing. Know and trust your belayer.