Parley Vous Rock Climbing?

When we were kids, we loved to climb on just about everything. Don't believe me? Ask you parents. Well, more and more people are taking rock climbing up as adults. To get into the game, you need to know how to speak the language of rock climbers.

As you might guess, there are different types of climbing. Sport climbing is a version that allows for the perfection of technique without a lot of the steps that slow a climb down. Bolts are pre-placed, so you do not need to place them.

One of the pillars of rock climbing is the bolt. A bolt is pretty much what it sounds like. It is a piece of steel bolted into a rock and used as an anchor. Due to its strong hold on the rock, it is a very safe think to hook on to prevent long falls.

Lead climbing is a step up in the climbing world. When you lead, you are displaying the skill to work the route, the pitch and place anchors. You also risk the potential of falling farther than those below you. All and all, an advanced level of climbing.

The next step down from a bolt is a camming device. The device is placed in cracks on the climbing surface. The modern version is spring loaded, so it snaps open in the space creating friction and a hold that can support a lot of weight.

Strap on crampons are used more in mountaineering than in rock climbing. Sooner or later, however, you will do some mountaineering to at least reach a climb, so you need to know what it is. The crampons strap over the bottom of the boot at the heal and toe.

What do rock climbers do during the winter? They either fly somewhere warm to climb or go ice climbing. If you ice climb, you need to know what crampons are. They are spikes that strap onto the bottom of your boots and can be used to anchor yourself.

Climbers often have some pretty nasty looking fingers. One reason is a finger technique used that is known as the crimp. The crimp is basically any hold where you transfer all weight to your fingers in the hold. It places a lot of stress on the tendons and joints.

Once you finish a climb, you need to get down. This process is known as rappelling. Ironically, a lot of people get hurt rappelling, particularly the first couple times they do it. It should be a controlled descent completed by running a rope through a friction device on your belt.

These terms and explanations represent the basics of rock climbing. Every area and group of climbers has their own expressions for various moves, routes and what have you. Just jump on in and you will pick it up quickly.