Become a Stronger Climber
Climbing is a challenging and rewarding sport that requires a unique combination of strength, endurance, technique, and mental focus. As a climber, you are constantly pushing yourself to reach new heights and conquer tougher routes. To become a stronger climber, you need to train both physically and mentally, be patient, and set realistic goals. Let…
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Moving from Indoor Climbing to Outdoors
Indoor climbing has become an increasingly popular sport. It is a great way to stay active, have fun, get/stay in shape, and challenge yourself mentally and physically. At some point, some who have only climbed indoors begin to think about venturing outdoors to climb. However, transitioning to outdoor climbing can be intimidating. Climbing outdoors requires…
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Auto Belays: Pros and Cons
An auto belay is a mechanical device that is used in rock climbing to provide an effective and efficient way of lowering a climber to the ground after they have completed their climb. They eliminate the need for a climbing partner who belays the climber, belaying is manually controlling the rope to hold the climber…
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You Might Be a Gumby If…
PART 2 Gumby (noun) guhm·bee | gu̇mbē An inexperienced, unknowledgeable, and/or oblivious climber; one who lacks coordination, common sense, or know-how. Experienced climbers can spot and cast contemptuous glances at Gumby climbers. However, we should not be too quick to disdain new climbers. They keep our sport alive, interesting, and exciting. Their sense of awe…
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You Might Be a Gumby If…
Gumby (noun) guhm·bee | gu̇mbē An inexperienced, unknowledgeable, and/or oblivious climber; one who lacks coordination, common sense, or know-how. Gumby is an American clay animation character created and modeled by Art Clokey in the 1950s. He was the subject of a couple television series, a feature-length film, comic books, and other media. Since his first appearance,…
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Stopper Knots
A stopper knot creates a fixed, thicker point on an otherwise uniform rope preventing the rope from slipping through a narrow hole or retaining device. In climbing a stopper knot helps keep the rope from slipping through the belay device. This protects a climber from potential injury in an extended fall or from potential ground…
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Climbing Terminology: More Basic Terms
Climbing is a unique sport and has created its own strange and wonderful vocabulary. Whether you are an experienced climber or just beginning, understanding what others are saying is important. Here are more terms that will have you sounding more like a “rock jock” in no time. 1. Traditional or “Trad” Climbing Traditional or “trad”…
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Climbing Terminology: A Primer
Climbing is an exciting and challenging sport that requires skill, strength, and endurance. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced climber, understanding the terminology associated with climbing is essential. We will explore some of the most common climbing terms to help you communicate more effectively with other climbers and enhance your overall climbing experience.…
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Does the Type of Landing Surface Matter?
PART 3 – What is the Best Landing Surface for Indoor Climbing Facilities? The best landing surface for an indoor climbing facility is dependent upon the needs, conditions, and type of usage. It should be able to absorb the shock of a climber’s fall and distribute the impact across a large surface area to reduce…
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Does the Type of Landing Surface Matter?
PART 2 – Types of Landing Surfaces for Indoor Climbing Facilities The risk of falling is one of the inherent risks of climbing. Indoor climbing facilities strive to provide landing surfaces that help prevent or lessen the severity of ground impact injuries. In part 2, we will explore the different types of landing surfaces that…
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