ROCK CLIMBING

Rock climbing is the sport or activity of climbing rock faces, especially with the aid of ropes and special equipment. The concept is to reach an endpoint, or a summit, of a rock face or structure. This can be done with specific equipment, depending on the difficulty and severity of the climb.

It is a physically demanding sport that combines fitness and agility with the mental fortitude required to conquer an ascension or traverse. It can be perilous, but that is often considered a positive aspect of the adventure.

There are many types of rock found all over the world, from igneous (granite) to sedimentary (limestone and sandstone) to metamorphic (gneiss). Some courses and routes are built on artificial walls, as well.

There are many types of rock climbing, each with their own equipment, setting, and surface(s).

What Are the Types of Rock Climbing?

Bouldering

Bouldering is a basic form of climbing that can be done indoors and outdoors. Using short movements without harnesses or ropes, the climber moves over small rocks or boulders. It normally features routes with a shorter height, but still has many complex and challenging routes. Often the only equipment is a cushion or pad placed below the climb in case of a fall, and chalk and climbing shoes will aid in gripping the wall. It can be done solo or with a spotter.

Sport Climbing

Sport climbing, while possible to do indoors, is mostly enjoyed outside. With the assistance of a partner (or belayer) holding a rope, the climber ascends a bolted and established rock face using a harness, ropes, and a belay system. The routes in this type of climb are higher, and therefore require more safety equipment. Along with the belay, rope, and harness, the equipment also includes a helmet, chalk, climbing shoes, slings, and quick draws.

There are two types of routes: single-pitch and multi-pitch. Single-pitch climbing allows the climber to ascend and then descend with the help of the belayer. Multi-pitch climbing is comprised of more than one of these levels. Sport climbing includes top-rope climbing and lead climbing. Top rope involves placing an anchor rope at the top of the route to run the climbing rope through. Lead climbing involves a lead climber ascending and setting up the quickdraws along the rock.

Rockclimbing Italy Guide

Trad Climbing

Trad climbing is similar to sport climbing, but the bolts have not been secured onto the climbing route. This requires placing bolts along the rock wall at the moment of the climb, and then, once the climb is finished, all of the equipment must be removed from the wall. Nuts and camming devices must be carried along with the climber. This is a more difficult style of climbing, as climbers must find the route and secure the equipment on their own.

Ice Climbing/Dry Tooling

Dry tooling involves placing ice axes into the wall as you ascend the rock, with the assistance of crampons in place of climbing shoes. It includes ropes, harnesses, and the equipment used for sport climbing. The damage that this type of climbing can do to the rock has made it a more controversial style. It is best just to Ice Climb with this equipment.

Big Wall Climbing

Big wall climbing utilizes long multi-pitch routes along vertical rock, and often requires more than one day. The thrill of sleeping on the side of a rock wall makes this an attractive type of rock climbing. Big Walls are usually tacked using trad gear or by Aid Climbing. Aid climbing is the technique of placing removable equipment along the rock, and then attaching a webbing ladder to it to climb. This is repeated along the route to reach the summit.

Alpine Climbing

Alpine climbing involves ascending to a summit or peak. Similar to mountaineering, it includes climbing over rock, ice, and snow, and perhaps traversing glaciers with a higher technical level.

When Is the Best Time to Go Rock Climbing?
For outdoor climbing, a neutral climate is ideal, and spring, summer, and fall offer the best weather. Extreme weather makes it difficult to safely and successfully complete a route or climb.

Quartzite climbing on Rogers Pass. Photo: Ross Berg.

In the height of summer, some surfaces retain heat and make it difficult to climb, while in winter the cold can hinder a climber´s ability to proceed up or across a surface.

However, thanks to the abundance of indoor gyms dedicated to the sport, and the natural geoformations and eclectic landscapes all over the world, you can easily find a place to climb near you all year round.

What Equipment Do You Need?

It depends on the form of climbing, but general equipment includes:

• Harness
• Rope(s)
• Belay System
• Helmet
• Chalk
• Climbing Shoes
• Slings
• Quick Draws
• Nuts and Camming Devices
• Ice Axes
• Crampons

Every trip is different, and certain equipment can be rented or will be provided. Others may require climbers to provide their own gear. Sometimes certain routes will call for specific items, depending on the setting and circumstances.

Why Hire A Guide?

By hiring a local guide you benefit from the guide´s expertise in the local area. They can get you access and insight into a specific region, efficiently using your time so you get the most out of your experience. And, of course, a guide will enhance the overall safety of a program. Hiring a guide is a great way to progress your skills, depending on what your goals are. When you have a guide, you are capable of undertaking a more challenging route and increase your experience on the rock.