First of all, I love to make sure my climbers able to pronounce properly the 'climb' word. Pronounce 'climb' word is without B at the end. Pronouncing word 'climbing' is sound as 'climing' without B. So after can perfectly pronounce the 'climb' word, I'm pretty sure most of us can easily follow the instruction in my climbing class.
Rock climbing is a sport in which participants climb up or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling. It is a physically and mentally demanding sport, one that often tests a climber's strength, endurance, agility and balance along with mental control. Knowledge of proper climbing techniques and usage of climbing equipment is crucial for the safe completion of routes. Dare you challenge on it??
Principle of Rock Climbing
1. DO NOT guide or attempt to teach other climbers when one is inexperience or without proper knowledge to do so as it might end up causing injuries to beginner climbers or worse, or provide inaccurate information or knowledge to other beginner climbers.
2. A responsible climbing instructor must be experienced, often carried out review on one’s skill to ensure the proper knowledge was being taught to fellow climbers and also have the no-nonsense attitude when it come to the rock climbing safety measures.
3. As a beginner rock climber, it is essential to acquire the basis skill as it is assurance to safe rock climbing. It will be advisable to fetch out money from your pocket to learn from the appropriate rock climbing classes or instructors as it is always too late to feel sorry when tragic accidents took place.
4. Be considerate while climbing as there might be someone waiting to climb the same route on the climbing wall. If realize the fact that it is too tough to continue then don’t feel shame to change to a suitable route that you are competent to climb and not change the existence route to accommodate your competency as this act not only deem as dangerous in term to others’ safety but also reveal your selfishness.
5. Climbers SHOULD NOT remove any climbing equipment from the climbing wall i.e. sling or carabiner.
6. Climbers should conserve the environment and do not litter around the climbing site as it will cause discomfort to others and most importantly, it will turn the climbing site to dumping site in future.
pictures from my Basic Wall Climbing Course (Level 1) 2010
Rock Climbing Basics
Bouldering - The most basic of climbing where climbing a route with one's own hands and feet and little more than a cushioned bouldering pad in the way of protection.
Top-roping - An anchor is set up at the summit of a route prior to the start of a climb. Rope is run through the anchor; one end attaches to the climber and the other to the belayer, who keeps the rope taut during the climb and prevents long falls. This type of climbing is widely regarded as the safest type of climbing, with the lowest chance of injury.
Lead Climbing - one person, called the "leader", will climb from the ground up with rope directly attached to his or her harness (and not through a top anchor) while the other, called the "second", "belays" the leader by feeding out enough rope to allow upward progression without undue slack
Styles of Rock Climbing
Outdoor Rock Climbing - Climbing natural rock formations with the proper climbing equipment. Climbs usually take place on sunny days when the holds are dry and provide the best grip.
Indoor Rock Climbing - Climbing artificial rock walls at indoor gym with the proper climbing equipment. It permits climbing in all types of weather and at all times of day. Used for improving climbing skills and techniques.
Bouldering - Climbing on short, low routes without the use of the safety rope that is typical of most other styles.
Ice Climbing - Climbing on icefalls, frozen waterfalls, and cliffs and rock slabs covered with ice refrozen from flows of water with the ice-climbing equipment such as ice climbing axe, crampon etc.
Basic Safety Requirement
NEVER walk below when there is climber climbing especially children.
NEVER climb or boulder below when climber climbing at the same route.
NEVER step on the climbing rope.
ALWAYS maintain the climbing equipment.
NEVER talk or joke with belayer when he or she is belaying a climber.
NEVER borrow climbing equipment i.e. climbing rope to others especially strangers.
SAFETY i.e. belaying must be done especially climbing above 5 metres.
MUST INFORM belayer to be aware of falling objects especially rock regardless of big or small rocks.
ESSENTIAL to INFORM other climbers be aware of falling rope when you intend to remove the rope from the climbing wall.
Rock climbing Competition
Difficulty - competitors climb the same route(s) one after the other. Climbers must climb the route on-sight, they are not allowed to see other climbers on the route. Also, they given limited of time to visually inspect the route from ground level. The winner is the one who reaches the highest point on the climb; if several competitors reach the top (or the same high point) the time taken may be used to determine the winner.
Speed - On two identical routes, competitors race each other to the top. The first to reach the top wins the competition.
Bouldering - Competitors work through a series of boulder problems on either a time limit or an attempt limit for each problem. Points are awarded for completing each problem. In a tie-break situation or where limited attempts are allowed then points are awarded for the fewest number of attempts required completing the problem.
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