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What to Wear When Rock Climbing for the First Time
In 2024 the fashion world is definitely coming around to styles and trends set by climbers. It’s not uncommon to see people posing on instagram in expensive shell jackets with ultralight backpacks in tow. You couldn’t be blamed for thinking
The 17 Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Got Really into Climbing
When I began climbing 37 years ago, the only way in was through mentorship, climbing clubs, and how-to tomes like Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. (I still have my fourth edition, printed on parchment paper and delivered by horse-and-buggy….)
The Petzl Grigri: Usage Guide
When it comes to climber’s kits, their belay device is one of the most important pieces. Nowadays, there are about as many belay devices as there are crag dogs. But few devices command a presence at the crag like the
Our Comprehensive Guide to Choosing Climbing Shoes
Choosing a pair of rock climbing shoes is still an important process, and it’s likely the first purchase you’ll make as a beginner climber. Climbing shoes may not play a role safety in the same way ropes, helmets, and harnesses
What Are The Different Climbing Shoe Rubbers?
All climbers know that sneakers aren’t going to work for sending. The majority of us (besides a rare few barefoot climbers) opt for climbing shoes, so that the sticky rubber can help keep our feet on the rock. However, what
Let’s Talk About Edge Safety
In the guiding world, we talk a lot about a concept called “edge safety.” For first-timers, it may not be that hard to deduce what edge safety means based on its name. Edge safety is all about being safe around
How Often Should You Be Climbing?
One of the most attractive things about the sport of rock climbing is how quickly you can advance. Climbing is a sport that comes naturally to many, and new climbers usually experience rapid progression. Beginners often race through easy to
Jakob Schubert: One of the World’s Best Climbers
When you’re considering the best climbers in the world, Jakob Schubert cannot be missed. This 33 year old professional climber from Austria has one of the most impressive climbing resumes ever seen. Schubert focuses on both lead climbing and bouldering,
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Rock Climbing Gym?
At some point in our climbing careers we’ve all dreamed of opening our own rock climbing gym. Maybe it was just a passing thought, or maybe we seriously started crunching some numbers. Some of us even followed through! (A couple
Getting Too Pumped and Can’t Hold On? Try 4x4s
Despite getting some recent attention online or getting gossiped about at your bouldering gym, 4x4s are not new to climbing. The exercise has been around for a long time. Over the years, the climbing 4×4 routine has helped countless climbers
7 Tools for Climbing Muscle Recovery
Climbing is fun. Climbing recovery… not so much, particularly if you injure yourself. If you’ve been on the rock or plastic for long enough, chances are you’ve been sidelined by one injury or another, whether we’re talking minor (flappers) or
Climbing Technique Toolbox: How to Climb Slopers
“Sloper” is a term that rock climbers use to refer to rounded holds. In contrast to a crimp, an edge, or a jug, a sloper doesn’t usually have a specific spot to grab. They tend to be large holds; think
Leading Trad: 13 Lead Climbing Strategies I Coach My Clients
In my work as a climbing guide, I frequently offer introduction courses for leading trad. The following article is a short and snappy synopsis of some of the strategies I teach my clients. These strategies are just an introduction and
Strength Training for Climbing: A Comprehensive Guide
When I first started climbing over a decade ago, the climbing gym was the only gym. The other “gym,” with all the mirrors and heavy objects, was a place I did not go. I was not interested in pushing or
How Dangerous is Rock Climbing?
If you’ve just started climbing, you might perceive it as an extremely dangerous activity. Although there are of course some inherent dangers and accidents do happen, rock climbing might not be as risky as you would think. There are many