Rock climbing can be a fun and exhilarating hobby you can take part in at any age. Lots of people get their start in a climbing gym, however, many will quickly realize they don’t know how to transfer to the outdoors. With there being several types of rock climbing (Sport, Trad, and Aid Climbing), specific gear (shoes, harnesses and helmets) and equipment (cams, nuts, quickdraws) learning everything can be quite overwhelming. By following this quick guide you can advance your knowledge to help start your adventure.
Types Of Rock Climbing
There are two major types of rock climbing: sport climbing and traditional climbing. All climbing revolves around wearing specific shoes, a harness, and a helmet for safety. If you are visiting a climbing gym, then you can try on many different shoes and harnesses to see which you prefer.
Rock Climbing Slang
Terminologies are important for any genre of activity you are looking to take part in, and as such, rock climbing has its own fair share of jargon. These are necessary for communicating quickly and effectively with another rock climbers that you are tying in and climbing with or people at the cliffs.
● Anchor: For top-roping this is the attachment point for the rope at the top of the cliff. It can also act as your connection to the cliff when lead climbing between pitches.
● Approach: The hike to the base of the climb.
● Beta: Detailed info about the climb or part of a climbing sequence provided by a guidebook or an experienced climber.
● Clean: When a climber takes the protection out of the route as they climb it, they “clean it,” leaving no protection behind.
● Crag: A small rock-climbing area, usually with several climbing routes.
● Crux: The toughest portion of a climb.
● Pitch: The length of a climb that can be done in one rope length. A multi-pitch route requires multiple length pitches to ascend the cliff.
● Pro: Short for “protection,” this is any piece of equipment used to secure the rope to the rock to prevent the climber from falling.
● Scrambling: The middle ground between hiking and rock climbing, scrambling doesn’t require a rope but does require both hands and feet.
● Take: What a climber yells when they want their belayer to give the rope tension as a brake. When a climber falls or has completed the pitch.
Belay Certification
Belay certification refers to passing the basic test or training associated with rock climbing gyms in the U.S.A belay certification typically involves several tests when climbing inside a gym they start with—putting a harness on, tying a figure 8 retrace knot with a backup, performing a pre-climbing safety check and commands, belaying partners of differing weight, and showing proper lowering technique. Outdoor climbers are taught by their partners or guides and learn how belaying differs indoors versus outdoors.
Get Started With Your Rock-Climbing Adventure Today!
SouthernXposure Climbing School and Guide Service employs professional guides to facilitate your first rock climbing adventure or to lead big wall routes with more experienced climbers . As one of the most trusted guide services in Mexico, our guides are locally knowledgeable and worldly experienced. Book your rock-climbing journey with SouthernXposure today!