Indoor rock climbing is a vertical workout that requires minimal equipment, and maximum strength. You rely on your strength, and the ability of your partner to hold the end of your rope, to ascend a wall. An indoor climbing wall can reach heights over 60 feet, and as you are lowered to the earth, you will want to have confidence in your gear for a smooth and safe return.
Shoes
Although indoor rock climbing can be completed without specialty shoes; rock climbing shoes are designed to assist your ascent. For indoor climbing, choose a snug pair of shoes that are flexible. You will better feel the holds beneath your feet in a flexible soled shoe unlike a hard soled shoe in which you may have greater difficulty placing your feet on smaller holds. The rubber soles of climbing shoes help you "stick" to the wall even when a hold is not available on which to place your foot. Before purchasing climbing shoes, try them out on the wall to determine personal comfort.
Harness
A harness may be your most important piece of equipment. A lightweight harness with a secure waist band and padded leg loops will provide you with support during your climb. Adjustable harnesses contain safety indicators, so you will notice a specific color, or tag when your harness is not secured properly. Always double check your harness and your partner's harness before you ascend a wall.
Rope
Indoor climbing gyms supply the ropes for you. For a top-rope climb, you will notice both ends of the rope on the floor and the middle of the rope passing through a secure hook in the ceiling. You will be required to tie a figure eight in the rope to secure your harness to the rope.
Belay And Karabiner
Your partner, belayer, will pass the rope through a metal mechanism, belay device, that has two ovals approximately the size of the rope and one large "U" shaped piece of metal. The larger part of the belay device fits inside the karabiner. The karabiner is a metal clasp that resembles a "C", and closes the "C" with a screwgate or locking clasp. The belay device and karabiner allow your partner to take up the slack of the rope as you climb, and to slowly release the rope to lower you to the ground at the end of your climb. You will need these two pieces of equipment to belay your partner when he climbs the wall.
Chalk
Although some people climb without putting chalk on their hands, chalk is helpful to increase your hand grip on the holds. If you sweat from your hands, you may enjoy chalk's moisture absorbing benefits. Chalk is available in block form that you can break into pieces and carry in a chalk bag that you hang from your harness. You can also purchase chalk in powder form wrapped in cheese cloth and kept in your chalk bag.
References
- Indoor Climbing: Climbing Gear
- "The Complete Rock Climber"; Malcolm Creasey; 1999
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