Rock Climbing Basics

Rock climbing basics are pretty much a short simple explanation of the basics what everyone should know about rock climbing. Rock climbing is starting to become an exhilarating sport that's growing in popularity for people of all ages. Below are all the basic things you need to know about this fun, yet physically demanding activity.

1. Types of Rock Climbing. There are 5 main types of rock climbing: bouldering, top roping, lead climbing, free soloing, and rappelling. Bouldering is rock climbing on low walls, usually with no rope sue to being low enough to just land on the ground if grip is lost. Top roping is climbing while being attached to a rope from the top of a climb. Usually there is another person that acts as a belayer to stop your fall if grip is lost. Lead climbing involves climbing a rock face while placing protective gear and attaching the climbing rope as the climber moves up the rock while the other climber belays the person from the bottom. Free soloing, the most dangerous type of rock climbing, involves climbing without a rope or any type of support of any kind. Rappelling involves the climber lowering themselves with a rope down from the top of a climb on either a rock face or through the air.
2. Gear Needed for Rock Climbing. The most common climbing gear that is used is the harness, belay device, chalk bags, which help keep the hands dry and from becoming slippery when wet, climbing shoes, climbing helmet, ropes, carabiners, crash pads, and slings. Slings are often used to create an anchor or to attach a piece of gear to the climbing rope.
3. The Grading System. The grading system is basically a guide that's usually in books that lets you know how difficult a climb is. It lets you know how long the climb is, how steep and rugged it is, what the route is, and other important information. Although scary, your confidence will build to higher gradings as you overcome each level as your strength and stamina increases.

Although Rock climbing is a fun activity, always keep in mind that it is a dangerous activity. Regardless of how little or how much you are experienced, you should always wear your rock climbing gear at all times when climbing and never take the risk of doing this activity without them.