Rock climbing refers to a sport of climbing rock faces, particularly with the help of ropes and special equipment. The concept is to reach to an ultimate point, or a summit of a rock face or a structure. This can be accomplished by using certain equipment on the basis of difficulty or severity of the climb. This sport can be physically demanding that integrates both fitness and agility with the mental strength needed to conquer an ascension or traverse. This can be dangerous but often deemed as a positive aspect of the adventure. There are number of rocks on this planet like igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic etc. There are also many types of rock climbing and each one of them have their own equipment, setting and surfaces.
Types of rock climbing
- Bouldering
This is the most basic form of climbing that can be done indoors or outdoors at Bloc Shop Gym. With the help of short movements with no harnesses or ropes, the climber can move over tiny rocks or boulders. It usually features routes with shorter height but has many complicated and challenging paths. The only equipment you would need here is a cushion or pad placed below the climb in case you fall, a chalk and climbing shoes that will help in gripping the wall. It can be performed solo or with a partner.
- Sport climbing
You can do sport climbing indoors but it is mostly enjoyed outside. With the help of a partner holding the rope, the climber can climb a bolted rock face with a harness, belay system and ropes. The routes in this very climb are higher and hence may need more safety equipment. Apart from the belay, rope and harness, the equipment also entails chalk, helmet, climbing shoes, slings and quick draws.
- Trad Climbing
This is very similar to sport climbing, but the bolts are not held in place in the escalation route. This may need placing the bolts along the rock wall and as the climb is accomplished, all the equipment must be detached from the wall. Nuts and camming devices must always be carried with the climber. This is a tougher style of climbing as the climbers must seek the route and secure the equipment by their own means.
- Dry Tooling
This entails putting ice axes into the wall as you climb the rock with the help of crampons rather than the climbing shoes. It entails ropes, harnesses and the equipment needed for sport climbing.