Climbing equipment as come a long way since the hemp ropes and hobnail boots of the early 1900s. The modern climber has access to a range of gear to make his ascents as safe as possible. Sports climbers ascend routes fitted with bolts to which they can clip their ropes for safety, whereas traditional climbers place their own protective equipment as they ascend. Both forms of climbing rely on numerous pieces of climbing gear to minimize the risks of danger associated with rock climbing.
Climbing Shoes
Climbing shoes are snug-fitting rubber-soled shoes that help you to grip the rock and balance on thin edges. The rubber used in climbing shoes is soft so that they hold firm to any rough surface. The soles of climbing shoes are also very stiff, so that you can balance on the smallest of edges on the rock face. Climbing shoes typically have small pointed toes so that you can press your feet into small pockets in the rock face. Climbers tend to wear their shoes one or more sizes smaller than their regular shoes. This increases the snugness of the fit but also means that climbing shoes are often uncomfortable. Climbing shoes can be high tops, which offer ankle protection, or low tops to maximize ankle mobility.
Climbing Harness
Your climbing harness connects your body to your safety rope and also serves as a utility belt on which you can hang your equipment. Climbing harnesses distribute your weight evenly around your thighs and waist and are made of very strong nylon webbing with a breaking strain of thousands of kilos. The harness, worn over clothing, needs to be adjusted for comfort and safety. A climbing harness has a finite lifespan and should replaced as soon as you notice any significant wear and tear.
Climbing Rope
Climbing ropes are used singly or in pairs. Ropes designed to be used singly are normally 11 mm in diameter whereas ropes designed to be used in pairs are 9 mm. Single ropes are generally used for very straight routes but if the route you are climbing zigzags a lot, twin ropes is the better option. Climbing ropes are slightly elastic and said to be dynamic. This means that if you should fall, the rope will stretch and you will decelerate gradually rather than come to an abrupt, injury-inducing stop.
As climbing ropes are literally your lifeline, you should take great care of your ropes. Avoid treading on them or exposing them to oil or excess sunlight and never let them run over a sharp edge. Climbing ropes are incredibly strong, but wear and tear can significantly reduce their breaking strain.
Protection Gear
Traditional climbers carry a selection of protection gear, either attached to their harnesses or on a bandolier. The gear is then placed into weaknesses in the rock so that the rope can be attached to it. This limits how far you will fall. Protection gear includes items called nuts, hexes, friends, cams and wires. All protection gear is designed to slot into cracks in such a way that they become lodged into the crack if it is loaded by a fall. Climbers use gated clips called carabiners to clip the protection gear to their ropes. It is usually the job of the second climber to retrieve the gear placed by the climb leader. Sports climbers use pre-fixed bolts and do not carry the same array of protection gear as traditional climbers.
Helmets and Chalk Bags
There is a constant danger when climbing that a loose rock may become dislodged from above and fall on you. Most climbers wear lightweight plastic helmets to protect them from injury. In addition, if you should fall when climbing, you may swing and bang your head against the rock face, and wearing a helmet will reduce your chance of injury.
Because climbing is a very strenuous activity, climbers typically use french chalk on their hands to soak up sweat. Chalking your hands can help to preserve your grip in the rock face. The chalk is stored in a small bag that is usually hung on the back of your climbing harness. Some climbers use resin instead of chalk as it leaves less of a residue and helps preserve the natural appearance of the rock.
References
- "Rock & Wall Climbing: The Essential Guide to Equipment and Techniques"; Garth Hattingh; 2000
- "Knack Rock Climbing: A Beginner's Guide: From the Gym to the Rocks"; Stewart M. Green, Ian Spencer-Green, and Mark Doolittle; 2010
- "Guide to Climbing - Techniques, Equipment and Ethics of Climbing"; Tony Lourens; 2005
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