ROCK CLIMBING BASICS

When rock climbing you should consider several things. The basics of the sport of rock climbing include safety, proper gear, foot techniques, hand techniques, and climbing techniques.

Safety is of the most importance when you are considering rock climbing basics, because it is one of the most dangerous sports that you can do. When you are rock climbing you should verify your knots and buckles are properly secured.

Although our team all knows how to do these things, we have them double-checked by a partner. I feel silly asking sometimes, but it can save my life. When we are tired in a race, it is easy to miss a loop or mis-tie a knot. That is what your team or partner is there for!

You should know the people that you are climbing with and their climbing habits. Always inspect your gear and if it needs to be replaced then you should replace it.

Never climb with gear just one more time if it looks like it might need to be replaced. Pay attention to the weather also. If a storm is coming, you might not want to go that day.

At Primal Quest 2006, Team Nike had to rappel down a 450 ft ascent they had just climbed. No climbers were allowed on the rocks as a lightening storm was on the way. After the storm Nike "got" to climb it again.

Rock climbing gear is extremely important. If you want to take up the sport, it may be expensive but you should not take it up without the proper gear.

You will have to invest in proper rock climbing shoes. You will need a chalk bag and chalk. This is used for keeping your hands dry while you are climbing. You don’t want to wear gear that is too heavy because it can cause problems for rock climbing basics. You also have to carry it!

This is a basic list of what you need for rock climbing. You can check out detailed information on climbing gear on the climbing gear page.

Carabiner

Quickdraw

Harness

Chalk Bagand Chalk

ATC

Grigri

Helmet

Climbing Tape

Rope Bag

PHYSICAL SKILLS

You must have outstanding upper body strength when you are rock climbing. However, your legs are just as important if not more. It is common for people to forget to use the strength of their legs.

The first time I tried ascending I used my arms only. I tried to do pull ups, which I can't do. I used up all my energy in about 10 minutes and was toast the rest of the day.

Using proper foot techniques are extremely important rock climbing basics. When you are edging, you should use the inside of your feet when you stand on footholds.

While you are back stepping, you use the outside edges of your feet and you move with your side.

Smearing is something else that is considered and this is when your foot is placed directly on the wall.

A heel hook is another foot technique that you use when you place your foot at chest level to pull and balance yourself.

A toe hook is another technique of rock climbing basics when you use your toes and flagging is another technique when you cross your foot behind the other.

Rock climbing basics say that all of these foot techniques require you to use your leg strength, do not forget the importance of your legs.







HAND TECHNIQUES

There are many hand techniques that you should use when you are thinking about rock climbing basics like the crimp, open hand grip, gaston, jug, pinch, side pull, sloper, and the undercling.

The crimp is a natural way to grip the rock.

The open hand grip is when you grip the rock by keeping your hand open and using the first joint of the fingers. This is considered to be the safest hand position when you are rock climbing.

When you use a pinch technique you use your thumb and your fingers to hold onto the rocks.

A sloper is a palming technique like when you palm a basketball.

When you are learning rock climbing basics, you should learn the hand techniques and ensure you have mastered them.

There are more techniques that are considered to be rock climbing basics like the cross through, drop knee, high step, mantle, and the foot switch. The cross through occurs when you are climbing when you do a cross over under your hand to reach a strong hold.

A drop knee is when you take a back step by dropping your knee toward the ground and the other hanging upward. This technique is commonly used when you are overhanging on the rock.

More rock climbing basics include the high step when you place your foot high on the rock. The mantle is another rock climbing basics technique that you should learn because it requires you to transfer your body from a pull position to a push position.

This is commonly used when you are on a large boulder and you need to top out. When you are switching hands on a hold and you need to place both hands at the same time you will use the technique called the match.

It is extremely important for you to learn the rock climbing basics if you are thinking about taking up the sport. You cannot just get out there and start rock climbing. There are many different techniques that you should consider with your feet and your hands. You should also consider the gear you are using to climb with and the people you are climbing with.

In one race we had to do some climbing that I was not familiar with. A teammate who rock climbs literally told me where to put every foot and hand. It made is so easy. Having an experienced partner is golden.







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