Rock Climbing Basics

Some Basics Of Rock Climbing

Whether on the mountain or in the gym, there's many different styles of rock climbing to try out. "Bouldering" is the best way to start, since it generally stays close to the ground -- the risk of injury from a fall is limited. Yet a tough bouldering route can challenge even the world's greatest climbers, requiring all the power, strength, and finesse of an upside down rock face ten thousand feet up.

Bouldering routes are normally undertaken without rope or harness and go for very short distances, requiring the climber perfect a difficult series of moves in order to reach the top. The routes, which in a gym vary greatly in degree of difficulty, commonly feature at least one particularly tricky maneuver, which are known as "problems" by climbing gurus and route-setters.

"Traditional" climbing requires a whole different set of skills from the climber -- namely endurance. Trad climbers may ascend large mountain faces that can take hours to complete. They differ from "Sport" climbers in that they leave nature unblemished -- whereas the latter leaves permanent anchors in the rock, trad climbers attempt to pick up their protective gear as they descend.

Perhaps "Free Soloing" is the purest style of rock climbing. The climber forgoes ropes, harnesses and all other protective gear to make an ascent using purely physical strength and mental fortitude. High profile climbers inclined towards free soloing cite an advantage of more simplicity and speed, not to mention a chance to experience the ultimate adrenaline rush.