Climbing encompasses numerous styles and techniques that require various equipment to pursue, according to Tony Lourens, author of "Complete climbing Manual." The type of mountain terrain dictates what equipment climbers use and a combination of skill and technical knowledge regarding the use of equipment determines their success of reaching a summit.
Protection
In addition to using helmets to protect their heads, climbers prevent falling by wearing harnesses attached to a rope that runs through a locking belay device and quickdraws -- two carabiners connected by a sling -- which are connected to anchors, called protection. On rock, protection is created in the form of pre-placed bolted hangers, or manually placed protection, including slings, nuts, cams and expansion tubes. On snow and ice, pickets, ice screws, flukes and buried objects serve as protection.
Method of Climbing
Climbing involves a leader, the first to climb a stretch, or pitch, of a route; and a second who manages the rope below. The leader ties one end of the rope to the harness with a figure of eight or bowline knot. As the leader ascends, he clips the trailing rope to protection via quickdraws while the second feeds the rope through the belay device, which is attached to his harness via a locking carabiner. In the event of a fall, the second locks off the rope with the belay device and the last piece of protection catches the leader's fall. When the leader reaches the top of a pitch, he attaches to multiple anchor points and belays the second as they climb up and remove quickdraws and/or protection devices; this process is repeated until both reach the summit.
Climbing Equipment
On rock, climbers use their hands, chalk and high friction rubber footwear to progress up a route. Climbing snow and ice slopes, by contrast, requires the use of ice axes and snow crampons. Crampons are fitted to boots and have spikes designed to enhance traction. When climbing low angled slopes, ice axes are used as walking poles for stability. As the gradient increases, the pick of the ax is swung into snow or ice and is used for leverage. On vertical ice, only the front points of the crampons and the tips of ice ax picks are driven into the ice. If a route comprises a mixture of rock and ice, climbers may alternate between the use of both rock and ice equipment.
Aid Climbing Equipment
Aid climbing is carried out using pitons, nuts, cams and devices such as etriers and bat hooks to directly help an ascent, as opposed to being used solely for protection, says Malcolm Creasey in "The Complete Rock Climber." Equipment is pulled or stood on to assist upward progression, mainly to cross blank sections of rock that don't offer sufficient features to grip with fingers and feet.
Warning
Mountain climbing is extremely dangerous; equipment alone does not guarantee safety. According to "Advanced Rock Climbing," your safety depends on personal judgment based on competent instruction. Therefore, it's crucial that you consult an instructor or guide to learn climbing safety techniques.
References
- "Complete Climbing Manual"; Tony Lourens; 2005
- "The Complete Rock Climber"; Malcolm Creasey; 2006
- "How to Rock Climb: Advanced Rock Climbing"; John Long, et al.; 1997
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