Sport Climbing Guides
Master Your Fear of Falling in Five Easy Steps
It’s natural to fear falling—it’s one of the few inborn, intuitive fears we all share, a protective mechanism meant to keep human beings from wandering off cliffs. The problem in rock climbing is that, if you want to push yourself,
General Knowledge
What is Sport Climbing?
Sport climbing is a style of free climbing whereby the lead climber clips quickdraws and their rope into permanently installed (fixed) protection bolts they ascend.
After arriving at the top of the climb, the leader clips their rope into bolted anchors and is either lowered off or abseils down.
In the event of a fall, a knowledgeable and adequate belayer, the bolted protection and the climbing rope, work together to arrest the leader’s fall before they can hit the ground.
Training
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
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6 Tips for Climbing Safe, from French Free Soloist Alain Robert
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, French climber Alain Robert etched his name in our sport’s history by tackling some of the most challenging rock routes yet free soloed. His solo of Compilation (5.13d) in Omblèze, France, in 1991
Wild Country Flow 2.0 Climbing Harness Review
The Wild Country Flow 2.0 is a great all-around harness, well-suited for any roped climbing endeavor. It’s breathable, lightweight (11.8oz for Mens Large), and has all the features you need for basic cragging. Thin and streamlined, you can stuff it
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
Sport Climbing Guides
Master Your Fear of Falling in Five Easy Steps
It’s natural to fear falling—it’s one of the few inborn, intuitive fears we all share, a protective mechanism meant to keep human beings from wandering off cliffs. The problem in rock climbing is that, if you want to push yourself,
What is Sport Climbing?
Sport climbing is a style of free climbing whereby the lead climber clips quickdraws and their rope into permanently installed (fixed) protection bolts they ascend.
After arriving at the top of the climb, the leader clips their rope into bolted anchors and is either lowered off or abseils down.
In the event of a fall, a knowledgeable and adequate belayer, the bolted protection and the climbing rope, work together to arrest the leader’s fall before they can hit the ground.
Training
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
More Climbing ...