Reaching the top of a climb, turning around and drinking in a breathtaking view of land below can be as satisfying as the climb itself. Ascending a climb is a goal that has been reached, but not without some hard work and commitment. While there are several ways to climb, some more challenging or dangerous than others, the goal is the same – to reach the top.
Types of Climbing
There are different types of climbing to pursue depending on your skill level and thirst for danger or challenge. The two main groups are Traditional - or Trad - Climbing and Sport Climbing.
As the name implies, traditional climbing originated with the advent of climbing. Trad climbers place their own gear as they ascend the climb and remove it when they leave. Gear is placed in cracks in the rock in such a way that the piece would hold the climber's weight if they fell and not pop out of the rock, causing the climber to fall farther. Climbers must be outfitted with different sized pieces so as to fit snugly in different sized cracks and spaces in the rock. It is important to know how to place this gear to ensure the likelihood of being held by the gear in the event of a fall.
Sport climbs are popular in most climbing areas and are differentiated from trad climbs by the fact that there are bolts pre-placed in the rock along a climb. So instead of inserting gear into the rock, sport climbers hang gear called a "quick draw" or "extender" from the bolts as they climb. Quick draws are two caribeaners separated by a sturdy sewn piece of webbing. There are also bolts at the end of the climb called anchors, which would be used to set up a top rope situation.
There is also bouldering, which is climbing without a rope. A padded mat called a crash pad is placed beneath the climber in case they fall. This may seem scary, but most bouldering routes are close to the ground or at a safe height to jump off from. When bouldering it is recommended you have a spotter, especially as some routes are overhanging or higher off the ground.
Finally, free climbing. As this name indicates, you are free of ropes. Except unlike bouldering, these climbs are done on the same types of long routes used for sport or trad climbing. Obviously the result of a fall would be devastating. Beyond the obvious skill and climbing experience involved, free climbers have mastered mentally overcoming the fear of being on a rock with no protection, granting them a calm and focus to do the climb without falling.
Jennifer Keefe - I am a reporter and copy editor living in the beautiful Seacoast area of New Hampshire who is fascinated by how many stories there are in ...
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