The Basics of Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is a very popular sport. It is challenging and requires stamina and experience. Rock climbers work in pairs, one climbing and one belaying. The belayer feeds to the rope to the climber through a belay device, which the climber ascends the rock. Sometimes rock climbers use bolted hangers or some kind of protection on their way up the rock. Belayers lock off the rope to make sure the climber doesn’t fall.

The lead climber will either place his clips or protection devices into a permanent position. These are already attached to the rock in sport climbing. The protection is detachable in traditional climbing.

Spring-loading camming devices or nuts are placed in the cracks in the rock. Sometimes climbers use pitons instead. The bolts, which offer protection, are metal loops.

The word bolts in this context refers to expanding masonry bolts. These are secured to the rock. You can get expanding masonry bolts from construction stores or by putting glue in the bolt systems. If you are climbing on ice, you will need ice screws instead.

The lead climber normally attaches the rope to whichever protection he is using with quick draws or caribiners. If he falls while climbing, the fall will take him twice the length of the rope out from wherever his last protection point was. He also has slack and rope stretch. So, if a climber is 2 feet above his last protection, he will fall 2 feet to the protection, 2 feet beyond the protection and a little more because of rope stretch and slack. Because the distance you can fall is double the distance to your last protection, it is a good idea to use plenty of protection so you don’t fall too far.

If the leader happens to fall, the belayer needs to stop the fall. To do this, the rope has to pass through a belay device which is fastened securely to the belayer’s harness. This device goes through the rope and also throws a succession of sharp-edged curves. These curves stop the rope from running and increase the friction, if they are set up properly by the belayer.

If a multi-pitch route is used, the lead climber will set up an anchor system at the top of the pitch so he can watch his partner climb from that point. This system is also called a belay. The climber is protected from above when climbing but the lead climber is not. This is why the lead climber should be the more experienced of the two.

When both climbers have reached the top, they need to descent or rappel down again. When the belayer has completed one pitch route, he lowers the lead climber down.

The leader is almost a rope length above the second climber and will need to place varies ropes and protective hooks while climbing so the second climber’s weight is balanced. This is important in case the leader happens to fall. If the second climber falls, the leader will also be pulled. This kind of rock climbing is for more experienced climbers, since it is riskier than other types.

Even though there is a fair amount to learn about rock climbing, it is a highly enjoyable hobby and builds up your strength and stamina.