A popular sport, rock climbing requires its athlete to scale precipices and angular rock faces. Often pursued as a hobby, rock climbing includes the usage of specialized equipment and a variety of techniques. Rock climbing techniques are methods of performing ascents, using the knowledge in the main Rope Systems, hand holds and belaying methods.
Rope Systems in rock climbing
Rope systems for rock climbing are of three types:
The single rope system works best on multi-pitch and single routes, where a single straight rope is required. Such a rope works best on artificial walls and is often used in sport routes. A single rope system can increase a climber's speed, if the bolts are placed in a straight line.
When employing the Single Rope System, the maximum abseil achieved is half of the actual original rope length. This practice is followed to ensure climbers safety. Employing the Single Rope System is a cheaper alternative than the Double or Twin Rope System. However, the durability factor is less reliable.
Double Rope System
The Double Rope System is a more flexible system than the Single Rope System. This system reduces the rope- dragging factor considerably and thus extensively protects the climber.
The system is employed in Traditional Rock Climbing, Mountaineering, and Ice Climbing. In this system, both the ropes are tied to each other and the complete rope is used for abseil. The durability of this rope is more reliable. The width of the rope is smaller between 8-9 mm.
Twin Rope system:
In this system, twin ropes are used combining them together as a Single Rope System. The combination of ropes offers both ropes assistance and protection at each point. By tying the twin ropes together, a full rope length abseil can be employed. The system is not as safe as the double Rope System, though the durability is the same.
Hand Systems in Rock climbing:
Jug System:
The system is a type of hold that is comfortable for an athlete's hand. The hold is perfectly shaped for the hand and uses the entire palm for action. The system requires the athlete to convex his palm, and by doing so the climber can receive a proper grip of the rock surface.
Finger Lock System:
The finger lock is used to grip cracks in the crack climbing technique of rock climbing. The technique is secure. However, special care should be taken over the finger used in the lock, which can be damaged or crippled during a fall. The system is performed using the pointer finger, by compressing the fingers.
Open Hand System:
Used as an alterative to the Finger lock system, the system is used to grip on small to medium sized edges. The system is safer for the fingers. However, it does require a good amount of forearm strength. Regular practice of this open handed technique is required, before fully utilizing this technique.
Belaying:
To become an ace rock climber, both the techniques of Climbing and Belaying must be mastered. In the belaying technique, the last climber(BELAYER)- to ascend the climb, secures the preceding climber.
Shoes
Having the right shoes is essential to learning how to climb. You wouldn't try to learn how to mountain bike on your six-year old cousin's Huffy so why attempt climbing rocks with tennis shoes. Make sure you spend the right amount of time trying on shoes and getting the exact right fit for your feet. You want a small bit of room but not too much, or you won't have the sort of control you need over the surface. If your shoes are too small you'll be putting your toes directly on the edge of each rock you try to step to.
Keep those shoes as clean as you can as well. Make sure to wipe them down every time they're used and let them air dry, brushing out the deeper stains and any interior dirt. You don't want any foreign bodies invading your feet while trying to climb.
Physical Strength and Flexibility
You'll need to be a moderately strong person to successfully climb. Building up leg strength is as simple as leg presses and cycling in the afternoon. Before anyone starts climbing, they should consider bulking up a bit. The foot strength will come in time.
Stretching and achieving a suitable level of flexibility is important as well. You want to make sure that you can handle the agile moves and stretches you'll be performing with your feet
Looking For Footholds
One of the most important parts of basic footwork is knowing where to look for footholds. You want to make sure you have a basic idea of where they are even before you start up the route. You'll only see a few from the ground but even those few will help you get started. Knowing where good footholds are and keeping track of them makes the entire process easier. It keeps you from slipping because of exhaustion and deteriorating hand holds.
Check out the footholds before you use them as well. Know exactly where it is and what it is looks like before putting your foot in it. You want to carefully watch and feel out the perfect spot to put your feet while climbing to keep from slipping. Once you step into a foothold put a little pressure on it to ensure it stays put and your foot doesn't skid loose. That pressure acts as the force holding you in the foothold. Don't let it go.
Once you've gotten used to finding and feeling for those footholds your shoes will do a lot of the work for you. They're specially built to seek out those footholds and hold them well. Knowing how to find a good foothold and where to set your foot makes the entire process much easier.
For those just starting out in climbing, foot work is the most important thing you can work on right away. Once mastered, footwork becomes second nature to the best of climbers and allows you to better enjoy the overall sensation off scaling a perfect route.
Both Kris Koonar & Tony B are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kris Koonar has sinced written about articles on various topics from Site Promotion, Certified Public Accountants and Culture and Society. Manufacture Extreme Engineering holds several patents and is the original inventor of the. Kris Koonar's top article generates over 550000 views. to your Favourites.
Tony B has sinced written about articles on various topics from Recreation and Sports, mountain bike and Guns. Tony Brian is a freelance writer for outdoor sports magazines and a contributing writer for