More and more people are quickly discovering the thrill and satisfaction of rock climbing as a sport. The exhilarating demands of this passion, coupled with the intoxicating satisfaction of conquering nature's wonders with your sheer will and physical efforts, make rock climbing a truly addictive endeavor. Although it is addictive, care must be practiced.

But people can't simply pack their things in their bags and venture to the great outdoors to embark on rock climbing adventures. It's a little more complicated than that. For starters, proper pre-climb training is necessary, to build your strength and endurance which are both required by the exhausting challenges of the sport, and to prepare your mind to make sound decisions while scaling the sides of cliffs and crags. Also, you'd need the right rock climbing equipment to ensure an enjoyable, and more importantly, a safe experience for yourself.

Here lies the problem that most people who are interested with rock climbing do experience.

Though training can be gained for free through the aid of friends and acquaintances who have amassed the required experience in this discipline, and even community clubs that are devoted to the sport, rock climbing equipment are not as easily procurable. You'd need to spend for the gears and items you will need, and not everyone can afford the amount necessary to purchase them. I myself do not climb rocks!

This, however, should not be a bar to your enjoyment of rock climbing. All you need is to procure the necessary rock climbing equipment which is considered as basic for the sport. What are these? Here is a list of the "must have" supplies for your initial foray into rock climbing:

* Helmet. You need to protect your head from potential bumps or falls. You could get a helmet for as low as $35.

* Harness. A harness will provide the support you need while scaling cliffs and crags. You could get one for as low as $35 as well. Harnesses are quite durable. They'll serve you for many, many years.

* Climbing shoes. These are also called as approach shoes. Their distinctive feature is a clip that has a locking carabineer. You could buy a pair for $80 up.

* Safety carbineer. This is needed to lock into your harness and your rope.

* Rope. An absolute necessity, though if you're climbing with a group, you could most probably share one with the team.

Rock climbing is actually a more affordable discipline than other sports in its category. For as long as you stick with the basic rock climbing equipment, this passion doesn't have to be inaccessibly expensive. Study all of the information you can get on the subject and make your purchases over time or use a web site like Ebay (tm).