Rock climbing has everything to become “the new yoga”: smooth and coordinated movements are no worse than asanas, and all the muscles work naturally and harmoniously. It isn’t difficult to join this Olympic sport for a beginner who knows about it only thanks to the info at a betting site and a few workouts – all you need is to sign up for a trial lesson at the nearest climbing wall, and they will tell you everything there and show you many times. After that, you can go boldly to the rocks.
Theory and Practice
There are different routes: both gentle and vertical, sometimes they even overhang almost parallel to the ground. The shape and location of the hooks on the climbing wall – and hence the movements on the wall – are also different. Some trails – for example, gentle ones with big comfortable hooks – are passed at the first try, while others – for example, with a strong overhang – are extremely difficult and require hundreds of attempts, and sometimes several years of training.
The level of difficulty of trails marked with numbers from 5 to 9: five is easier, the nine – on the verge of human capabilities (categories 1 to 4 have historically belonged to mountaineering, part of which was considered rock climbing, and are not used now). To more accurately indicate the level, the letters a, b, c are added to the number, and the letters are followed by +. It turns out that “5a” is simple, “5a +” more complicated, “5b” a little more difficult, the transition “5b/5b +” even more difficult, and so on.
There are two main disciplines in rock climbing: bouldering and difficulty. Bouldering – passing of low, 5-6 meters in height, and difficult routes for 7-10 intensive movements. Rope insurance is not provided, but there is a soft floor under the track: if they fall, they fall on it. In “difficulty”, the tracks are more about endurance than strength. They are long, high, and they are done with a rope. One end is tied to the climber, and as he climbs, he snaps the rope into the carabiners on the wall. Your partner controls the rope from the ground: if you fall, he stops it, and if you descend, he jerks it.
There is also climbing for speed, a competitive discipline – athletes race to climb two identical tracks. The size and location of the hooks on such a “reference” route are clearly defined by the rules. There are also more rare, exotic types of terrain work such as Free Solo – climbing on rocks (sometimes 500 meters and higher) without any insurance or DWS – Deep Water Solo – climbing over the sea on rocky shores (when they fall, they dive into the water).
Types of Hooks
- “Handle” is a graspable hitch, sometimes you can even put your fingers around it, just like on a regular door handle.
- “Active” is usually a small hitch, with a narrow, protruding şişli escort edge, the kind you have to grip aggressively with your fingers.
- A “passive” or “slab” is a sloping, large hitch. It isn’t to be pressed with fingers – it won’t work, it’s too big. You put your whole palm on it and press, relying on friction: the wider the contact area, the better the grip.
- “Pinch” is clamped with the thumb and one or two or three or four more fingers.
- “Grip” is an inverted “activenik” or “handle,” such hooks have to be taken from the bottom up. If the grip is high above your head, it’s difficult to hold it, but the lower and closer to your waist, the easier it is.
Outfit
Here’s a rough checklist:
- Rock shoes – tight, a bit like pointe shoes, only with a sturdy non-slip sole. You need them to accurately put your feet on small ledges and chips, you can’t do that with sneakers.
- Magnesia – a product that is applied to the palms of his hands, so they do not slip. It comes in powder or liquid form – such does not dust, which is a big plus, but it needs time to dry.
For bouldering in nature, you need portable mats – crashpads. You can buy them, or you can rent them.
For “difficulty”, you need:
- A special belt – “safety system”, also called “harness” (the rope is attached to it) or “arbor”.
- Straps – paired carabiners, your points of insurance (as a rule, on the track you need 15 pieces).
- Rope length of 60-70 meters, depending on the height of the route.
- Helmet – it is not required on the climbing course, but necessary for those climbing and ensuring the passage of the “difficulty” on the live rock.
- Safety device – the design and principle of their actions are very different. The main thing – be sure to learn how to handle it under the supervision of a knowledgeable climber, and even better – an experienced instructor.
