Rock Climbing Info

Rock climbing, a testament to man's shear will, determination, strength and stamina all in order to achieve a goal and arrive to a certain destination through hard work. Its gives new meaning to those who, I know where I came from and I know where I am right and though journey may have been treacherous, I have arrived at the top and it was worth it all the way there.

A bit over the top and emotional, yes I must say. But that is exactly how rock climbing feels, at the time you reach the summit; it is like your life's greatest achievement has been accomplished. Scaling up the steep and rocky and sometimes illusive mountain face whereby your life literally in your hands and the rope of course and the person belaying for you. Then again the person belaying had to climb the mountain face him/herself first.

After all that, what is rock climbing? Well rock climbing is a sport by which a person climbs up or across a mountain face in the case of a natural rock or outdoor rock climbing or a climbing wall or man-made rock in the case of indoor rock climbing along a pre-defined route to get the summit or the top of the previous. As mentioned before in order to be able to do this sport you must be in utmost physical and mental competence, since these are the basic requirements with the accompaniment of proper rock climbing training, since no matter how good you are naturally, how good your reflexes are, there are some things that must be thought in order to recognize what should and should not be done while attempting.

Rock climbing usually consist of a basic set of equipment that unless you are free soloing (discussed later) is required now in modern times more as safety precaution than an actual aid. This consist of the rope, climbing shoes and helmets which all self explanatory, a belaying device anchors the rope at the top and the belayer uses to guide the climber following up and in the case that the climber falls to aid the belayer, a harness usually attached around the waist and around the legs or in some cases the chest or even full body, that is used to support the climber, carabiners, used frequently in rock climbing, are rings of solid aluminum with a spring-loaded gate that allows them to be opened which normally, the spring holds the gate closed, but the gate can be opened to admit a rope and anchors which attach the rope to the rock face.

Rock climbing itself is split into many different forms which some are:

1. Bouldering which involves the climber climbing short low routes without the use of safety ropes and thee case of protection being used is usually consistent of a cushioned boulder pad below the route and/or a seeker, who directs the climber as he ascends.

2. Free Solo as mentioned before is rock climbing without the use of equipment like bouldering but fortunately or unfortunately up higher and more dangerous terrain in which a fall will result in either death or serious injury.

3. Lead Climbing is more or less one climber the leader has to establish there own their own belay route while carrying one end of the rope and anchoring it as he/she goes along since there was not a system in the first place.

4. Indoor Climbing which was mention above is the used of man made rock faces in gyms and other indoor facilities called climbing walls to substitute for actual rock faces. This can prove extremely useful for beginners or those who are rock climbing training since everything is done in a controlled environment.

Rock climbing is a great and exhilarating experience and if you get the chance to try go ahead and take it. Its worth it.