Rock Climing
Essentials for the Amateur Rock Climber
What’s the dress code?
When preparing for any adventure, the first things we
think of are the items we’ll need in order to make sure
the trip is smooth and satisfying.
“We’re going to the beach.”
“What do we need?”
“We’re going on a hunting trip.”
“What do we need?”
Now, if you’ve been saying, “We’re going rock climbing,” it is very likely that you’ve been responded to
with, “What the heck do we need for that?” If you’re
a beginner, keep in mind that rock climbing is no
picnic. It takes endurance, physical stamina, critical
thinking skills, and a high level of passion for the outdoors in order to become a successful climber. So,
don’t expect to buy all the right gear and head on out
to Mount Everest by tomorrow. If your bucket list has
that goal on it, you’ll want to train indoors at a climber’s gym first. Most of the gear that you’ll need, right
down to the shoes, can be rented at the gym. Don’t
waste your money on expensive equipment until you
get the hang of the sport. But as a heads-up, here is
what you’ll need to get started:
»» Shoes – Buy climbing shoes half a size smaller
than you normally wear. They need to be snug
without hurting, and buy shoes that lace up for
a secure fit. Climbing shoes should have sticky
rubber soles on the bottom for maximum grip.
»» Helmet – You may not be required to wear
one of these while indoor climbing, but be
prepared to spend a good $40-80 for a helmet when you take on mountainsides. If you
slip and tangle in your rope, and your head
goes clanking against a rock, you’ll be a happy
camper if you’re wearing a helmet. If you’re not
wearing one, then you may just cease being a
camper altogether.
»» Harness – This is used for connecting the rope
to the climber. The harness you buy should be
fairly inexpensive if you’re just starting out, and
should be comfortable to sit in. If it cuts off your
circulation, up the size, and always allow 5-10
inches of extra length to hang off for slack.
86 Summer 2015 Adventure Outdoors
»» Chalk Bag – The chalk bag is for ridding your
hands of sweat and maximizing your grip to decrease the amount of accidental slips when grabbing a handhold. These are maybe $10-$15 and
worth every penny.
»» Rope – There are two main differences in type:
Dynamic and Static. Dynamic rope is the type
of rope used in descenders and belay plates.
It stretches to evenly distribute weight for rappelling. Static rope is more firm for ascending
and fixing onto bolts.
»» Carabiners – These are metal links used to hold
the rope in place and help you climb or catch yourself quickly on a safe-line if you’re falling. They are
otherwise known as those trapezoid-shaped clips
that hold all of our key chains together. Who knew
they were little life-savers for under $10!
»» Descenders and Belay Plates - The dynamic
rope runs through descenders and belay plates
to provide needed friction when descending. You
won’t need to purchase these for indoor climbing.