TOP 10 TIPS TO ROCK CLIMBING
By Locke Hughes
Hiking--sure. Biking--no problem. But what about rock climbing? This is one of those athletic adventures that seemed a little out of reach. The feat of standing 45 feet above the ground while being held by a rope sounds amazing.
It turns out that climbing the wall indoors is much easier than we thought. Alex Johnson, a professional climber who is also a five-time U.S. National champion, says that climbing is an accessible and welcoming sport. The No. The No. Do not be afraid. Johnson states that it is easy to feel discouraged. It happens to all of us. But, the best thing to do to improve your situation is to keep trying."
Clinging to a wall for dear Life is not only an adrenaline-pumping experience, but it's also a serious workout. Rock climbing can be an aerobic exercise, increase upper-body strength and maintain cardiovascular fitness. You can also get a mental workout by figuring out how to climb the wall the best.
Brooklyn Boulders is a great place to learn how easy climbing can be. After one lesson with our instructors, we were confident enough to belay together and climb the bouldering wall on our own.
Are you ready to learn some Spider Man moves? These tips will help you feel ready to run into your local climbing gym and start wall climbing. (Note: While these tips are useful, a beginner should take an introductory class with a certified instructor.
1. Pick your poison.
There are many types of climbing. Luke Livesey is the head of instruction at Brooklyn Boulders. He suggests that you try them all to find what suits your needs. New climbers can cover great distances on the walls by top-roping (or rope climbing), with a partner. No partner? No problem--use an auto-belay.
Johnson states that bouldering, which is rock climbing without ropes, is a great alternative if you are afraid of heights. She explains that bouldering is similar to sprinting if rope climbing is long distance running.
You can also do traditional (trad), or sport climbing in the great outdoors. Traditional climbing involves placing your own protection along the route. As you probably guessed, trad climb is not for beginners.
2. Get geared up.
Proper footwear is essential. Johnson recommends choosing soft climbing shoes to give you a better grip and feel on the wall. If you rent, socks can be skipped. The only piece of equipment required for bouldering is a chalk bag. Top-roping requires a harness, lead rope and chalk bag. These should all be available for rent at your climbing gym.
3. Learn the ropes.
Now that you have the gear, you need to be able to belay properly. Climbers must be certified to belay before they can climb the wall. This is why it's important to take a class. Sarah Laine, an instructor assistant at Brooklyn Boulders, says that belaying is about learning how to get into the groove and forming muscle memory. Translated: It won't be easy to learn about belaying. Here are some basics that you will learn in an introduction class.
- To attach the lead rope to belayer's harness, tie a fisherman's and figure-eight knot.
- Your right hand (or your left hand, if lefty) should be in break (sometimes called home base). Keep your hand below the belay device. Don't let go!
- The climber creates slack as they climb the wall. To catch them, the belayer must pull it through. Pull the climber's side to the belayer by pulling down with your left and lifting the slack with your right. Then, return to your break position. (Think: Up, down, pinch, slide.)
- Your right hand should always be able to hold the rope. You don't need your left hand to help pull the rope. Your right hand should be used as a support.
4. Select your route.
Laine explains that top-roping routes always begin with a five. Then comes a decimal point and then another number that represents the difficulty of the climb. Routes marked 5.5 or 56 are beginner routes. The number after the decimal (like 5.12), indicates how difficult the climb is. The V-scale is used to rate bouldering routes. It starts with V0.
After you have chosen a path, place both your hands on the start holds. These are usually marked with two pieces tape. Keep your feet off of the ground. Follow the same route up the wall. It is cheating to change the color. You won't find two footholds on some routes, so it is best to keep one foot against the wall.
5. Engage your core.
Although it may seem like climbing requires a lot of upper-body strength and core strength, the most important thing is your core strength. Livesey states that first-time climbers have an advantage if they have experience in sports such as yoga, gymnastics, and Pilates. You will also need your fingers, hands and upper body (arms and shoulders, back, and back) to recruit.
6. Straighten your arms.
Livesey suggests that you think about how you carry groceries with straight arms. It would be much more tiring to lift them while benting your arms. The same goes for climbing. Keep your legs straight so it is easier to push yourself up with the lower part of your body.
7. Plan your climb.
Livesey recommends that you sequence your hand movements and identify all footholds on the wall prior to starting your climb. He says that climbers often mimic hand movements to determine the best (or most efficient!) order to use each hold. This is a valuable skill. You can also look for clues by looking at chalk marks on the holds (to show you where other climbers have placed their hands) or rubber marks from shoes.
8. Learn the language.
Johnson states that communication is key to ensuring you and your partner are on the same page. These are some of the most common climbing commands you will encounter.
- Climber: "On belay."
- Belayer: "Belay on."
- Climber: "Climbing."
- Belayer: "Climb on."
- Climber: Click "Take" (if you'd like to take a break).
- Belayer: "Got."
- Climber: "Lower."
- Belayer: "OK, lowering."
- Climber: "Off belay."
- Belayer: "Belay off."
9. Take a safe leap.
Laine says that while it can be scary to descend from the top of a wall, as long as you take all safety precautions, you will be fine. It's actually quite fun! Once you are ready to go, alert your belayer ("lower") and straighten your arms. Keep your feet in line with the wall. Then, let your arms loosen. To push your legs off the wall, think "feet first". Johnson suggests that it is safer for your knees to climb down the same route you went up than to bounce against the wall.
10. Before you go outside, be prepared.
Johnson states that rock climbing in a gym can be a totally different sport from climbing outdoors. You will feel harder outdoors than you do inside, so your grades are likely to be lower outside. You won't have access or training from instructors, and the outdoors is less controlled than indoors. Weather conditions and natural holds can make it more difficult to climb outside. Johnson suggests that climbing outdoors can be more enjoyable than indoors if you communicate well and take safety precautions.
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