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.

The post Basic Rock Climbing Equipment appeared first on Rock Climb Every Day.

Rock climbing is a thrill for many men and women who enjoy the challenge of such an intense outdoor and indoor sport activity. There are several different forms of the rock climbing sport and rock climbing equipment you would use will target each variation.

Traditional rock climbing involves two people, yourself and your partner as well as the use of rope. One climber ascends a piece of rock, placing protection such as nuts and hexes into the rock’s weaknesses such as cracks or rock spurs. The rope that this climber is carrying is attached to him or her via a sit harness that is worn. The other end of the rope is attached to a climbing partner and while one climbs up, the other partner feeds out the rope as is needed through a belay device.

Sport climbing uses the same rope technique as traditional climbing but there is a bit of a difference in the sports equipment that is used. In this case, the protection has already been placed in the form of bolts. Quick draws as they are referred to are a short sling with a carabiner on each end. Sport climbing tends to stay to shorter climbs not much longer than two pitches or rope lengths. In this types of climbing there is less danger, so there is more leeway to work on technique.

Bouldering is a method of climbing where your feet seldom reach more than a few feet of the ground. There is no rope involved or any other protection. Bouldering often refers to boulder challenges and there isn’t a high risk injury because you are just a few feet off the ground.

Solo climbing is the freest form of climbing. It is similar to bouldering but still quite different. A solo climber is committed to reach the summit as opposed to focusing on his or her particular moves. This is really dangerous because a solo climber doesn’t use rope, protection or any other gear.

Mountaineering involves the thrill to reach a mountain top.Mountaineering is a form of climbing that uses a combination of skills. You may find yourself in hot and humid conditions but very quickly find yourself in steep, cold terrain. Rock climbing skills and ice skills need to be put to use full force in these areas.

Ice climbing involves using ice tools, to climb vertical ice, such as frozen waterfalls. Ice axes, crampons are two of the main tools that ice climbers use. This can be a risky sport simply because ice undergoes daily and sometimes hourly mutations and changes.

Indoor climbing is an excellent way to learn how to initially rock climb or enjoy the sport fully without ever having to climb on steep, dangerous rock. It is safe as well as supervised and controlled. Indoor climbing walls are quite popular today and often walls are moved to the outdoors. Men and woman can climb year round indoors when the outdoor weather such as rain forces rescheduling.

The post Rock Climbing Information and Equipment appeared first on Rock Climb Every Day.

Some benefits to purchasing your own equipment

You will use it, you know where it has been, you know how and where it is stored, you know how old it is, you can inspect it’s condition, you won’t have to drive to a store to rent it, you won’t have to wait for a store/friend to be available to decide and join someone climbing, etc.

Climbing equipment is not cheap

It never has been, it never will be. There are always great sales out there that we can all benefit from. If you are truly interested in the sport and becoming an avid climber, remember this – any money spent on renting equipment is money you will spend in addition to purchasing your own equipment. So renting is fine, if you are shopping around and looking for the best deals, but getting your own equipment will eventually be more cost effective.

What should an aspiring climber get first?

Experience! Take some classes with professional certified climbing instructors. Then go shopping for a harness, belay device, belay carabiner, climbing shoes and a helmet. These are just some of the essentials you will need to get climbing outdoors with friends who already have rope and anchoring set-up experience. Gear can be found in packages, but if not – buying them separately, is not that much more. What should you get next? More classes, experience, your own rope and anchoring equipment.

Where to shop? RCED Climbing Gear Shop

The post Spending a little, saves you a lot… appeared first on Rock Climb Every Day.