What does UIAA stand for?

The abbreviation (UIAA) comes from its French name Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme, which stands for International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation. The international federation was founded to be in charge of researching and finding solutions to all problems related to climbing and mountaineering.

What is a UIAA Certified Harness?

It is imperative, when purchasing your climbing harness, that it has a certified UIAA Safety Label attached.

What kind of climbing harness should I get?

First and foremost, the type of harness you need will need to meet the requirements of the type of climbing you will be doing. First lets go over some general basics, then we will break down to more specifics.

There are two types of comfort; a harness that is comfortable while standing and another that is comfortable while hanging. If you are climbing mostly in a single pitch environment, then you should go for the harness that fits more comfortably while standing. If you are climbing mostly multi-pitch routes in which your body will be hanging, then is best to get a harness that serves that purpose. Now, each harness is designed to be comfortable for its purpose, so each sacrifices the alternative; a harness comfortable while standing may be uncomfortable while hanging and vise versa.

Finding the right size and best fit to your body can be a challenge. No matter how much or little padding you see on a harness, it will not be comfortable if it does not fit you well. Harnesses are designed and built by different distributors (brands), therefore made for different body types. Go to a local gear shop and try several brands on, this is not something you can eyeball on the internet and shop for.

Harnesses do have a wear indicator, threads or strips of nylon that are inside of the external layer of a harness. When this layer wears out, it shows the indicator thread or strip as a warning that the harness needs to be retired. Usually the lower tie-in point (attached to the leg loops) tens to wears out first, since it is the one that gets the most friction while walking. Regardless of if your harness is not showing these warnings, you should read the manufacturer’s recommendation on when the harness should be replaced; in other words, just because you climb three times a year and your harness is looking pretty good, does not mean it will be safe to use after 20 years. Read the manufacture details and keep track of when you first purchased your equipment, to give you a better idea of how long you’ve owned it and if needs to be retired.

How can I check if my harness is UIAA Certified?

Use the following link to verify that your equipment is certified by the UIAA.

Have safety concerns over recalls?

Use the following link to verify what recalls are currently in place. You can search equipment by brand, year, name or part number.

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However, you will need to have the right rock climbing equipment in order to get started. The good news is that you can find high quality rock climbing gear at low, competitive prices which means that you can start your new adventures without having to pay through the nose.

Climbing Harness
This type of gear consists of the waist belt that fits snugly around the hips and adjustable or removable leg loops that goes over each leg. Your harness is the heart of your rock climbing gear and you will need one made from strong, high quality materials that will provide the needed support for your adventures.

Rock Climbing Shoes
The shoes are special-made to protect your feet and provide the necessary friction so that you can establish the proper footholds. The shoes should fit snugly without being too tight and the harder you climb the closer fitting the shoe should be to your foot. Remember, they are not made to walk long distances, so have another pair of shoes for hiking available.

Helmet
A proper climbing helmet offers good protection against bumps, scrapes and small falling rocks. The helmet should be a snug fit, but not too tight as it sits flat on the head. Remember to secure the chin strap properly and that the helmet meets the UIAA regulations for rock climbing.

Belay Device
This is a device that is used to control the rope and help secure your progress during a rock climb. It will help lower you down the rope, play out enough rope for your needs, and most importantly will catch your fall and stop something worse from happening.

Carabiners
These are the metal rings that have spring-loaded gates which connect the rope to the nuts, bolts, and camming devices that offer you protection during your climb. In addition, they are also used to create quick-draws and attach your rock climbing gear to the appropriate slings. Most climbers use a dozen or so carabiners.

Quickdraws
These are two carabiners that are connected through a sling. You can create your own quickdraws or purchase them assembled. They help in increasing your speed through the climb and make your use of energy more efficient when climbing.

Climbing Ropes
There are two types of climbing ropes. Dynamic ropes have elastic woven inside that will absorb the energy of a fall while static ropes have no such elasticity and are mostly designed for rappelling or rescue operations. All climbing ropes should be UIAA approved for use.

Before you start any rock climb, be sure to check the gear thoroughly whether you rent or own the equipment. A little precaution can save you from enduring a considerable fall. Plus, you’ll want the best rock climbing equipment that will help protect you throughout the entire experience.

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