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ROCK CLIMBING GEAR

Rock climbing gear is some of the most important sporting equipment you will ever purchase. Your life will literally depend on it.

The basic climbing gear will be needed for both indoor and outdoor rock climbing, specialty rock climbing gear like rock protection gear will generally only be necessary in outdoor climbing.

Climbing gear is just fun! I love the sound of the ascenders clicking in, the rattle of the carabiners as we walk to the rappel sight, and the sound of the rope sliding through an atc. It is invigorating!

ROPE

The first and most important piece climbing gear is rope. Your indoor center will provide rope for you, but if you are going to climb outside you will need to invest in good quality rope that is designed especially for the purpose of rock climbing.

You will need to choose between dynamic and static rope and decide if you want rope that has been treated to be waterproof. Generally climbers use both dynamic and static rope; dynamic for actually climbing with and static for hauling gear up the rock face.

The choice between wet (waterproof treated) rope and dry rope is also a personal choice. Dry rope is cheaper, but will become waterlogged if it gets wet, meaning that it will heavier to carry and harder to handle.

Webbing is included in the rope category as it is basically flat rope that is most often sold already joined into a loop. Webbing is extremely strong and is used for many purposes when rock climbing, it is often used for anchors and to adjust or vary other anchors, as part of a quick draw or for carrying your other rock climbing gear.

CARABINERS

Carabiners are another essential piece of rock climbing gear. (Once again they will be provided by your indoor rock climbing center.) Carabiners come in a plethora of shapes and sizes to suit different climbing needs.

The most important difference being whether they are locking or non � locking. Locking carabiners are used for making important connections like anchors and attaching you to the rope.

Quick draws are a piece of rock climbing gear that is made by combining two carabiners and a piece of webbing it is used to fasten your climbing rope to the protection and anchors, the webbing allows the rope to pass over easily and reduces the amount of friction on the rope.

I have found some great lightweight carabiners. The Camp Base Twist Lock Carabiners are only 1.7 oz. The only issue I have had is sometimes it is hard to get the rope and belay loop in the small carabiner. For me it is worth saving the weight!

The Camp Nano 23 Carabiners are great for attaching little things. I use these to attach my whistle and knife to my pack.

HARNESS

A harness is a piece of climbing gear that will be provided by your indoor center, but that you may want to purchase for yourself. The harness connects the climber to the rope and there are many styles and types that suit different climbing needs and styles.

The choice of a particular type and style of harness is a personal one dependent upon your needs and what is comfortable for you to wear. It is this comfort factor that leads many indoor climbers to buy their own harnesses.

I have a comfortable Black Diamond Harness, but it is heavy. I am going for the new acertyx harness that weighs only 8.7 oz! Now I did find one other that weighted 3.2 ounces made out of webbing. It did not look comfortable and a little too extreme for weight cutting for me.

HELMET

Rock climbing helmets are a piece of gear that is also a personal choice. It is highly recommended that all rock climbers wear this piece of rock climbing gear to protect against serious injury.

The helmet is more for protection from rocks hitting you in the head, than protecting you in a fall.

I have worn two Petzls and like them both. The lightest helmet I can find is the Petzl Meteor III. It is lightweight and works great.

TAPE AND CHALK

Climbing Tape is a piece of rock climbing gear that is used by both indoor and outdoor rock climbers. The tape not only protects outdoor climber�s hands from being cut and injured on rugged rock faces, but is useful to indoor and outdoor climbers to help prevent tendon injuries to their fingers.

Chalk bags are another piece of personal rock climbing gear that it is necessary to use both indoors and out, without an easy to use chalk bag your grip will definitely suffer.

BELAY DEVICE

The last piece of rock climbing gear that indoor as well as outdoor enthusiasts need worry about is belay devices. Your personal safety and possibly your life depend upon your belaying gear and your belaying partner.

There are two different types of belay devices ATC�s. and Grigri Both of these devices are used to control the feeding of the rope during belaying and repelling. Ensure that both you and your climbing partner know how to use the belay device you choose.

I have also used a figure 8 which is popular. You will go down faster with a figure 8, although it can be slowed by feeding the rope in the small end. You have to decide if that is a good or bad thing!

PROTECTION DEVICES

The final pieces of climbing gear that will only be used by outdoor climbers are protection devices. These pieces of rock climbing gear are used to anchor the rope to the rock face temporarily. They are removable and reusable. The four types of protection rock climbing gear are: nuts, hexcentrics, spring loaded camming devices and tri-cams.

GEAR SUPPLIERS

These are stores we use. They are great stores and have great customer service. REI is the only one that is more generic so you must know what you are looking for. Don't get me wrong, I love REI. However their staff is knowledgeable in recreational areas, but most are not in sport specific gear.

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