| Even though rock climbing was an essential part of | | | | Some of the more important gear one needs for this |
| the Victorian age mountaineering in the Alps, it is | | | | adventure are rope, cord, webbing, carabiners, |
| often believed that this sport began in the last | | | | quickdraws, harnesses, belay devices, rappel devices, |
| quarter of the nineteenth century in different parts | | | | figure eight, rescue eight, rappel rack, ascenders, |
| of Europe. This sport grew slowly from an alpine | | | | slings, daisy chain, protection devices, nuts, hexes, |
| requirement to a separate athletic activity. | | | | spring loaded camming devices, tricams, grip savers, |
| Today, it is a sport that is becoming more and more | | | | fingerboards, campus boards, bachar ladder, |
| popular every year as more and more people take it | | | | specialised clothing, climbing shoes, belay gloves, |
| up. Many are starting to introduce their children to | | | | helmet, tape, haul bag, gear sling, bouldering mat, |
| rock climbing at a very early age. It is a very difficult | | | | chalk, chalk bag, resin, nut tool and rope bag. But the |
| sport and takes a while to be fully mastered. | | | | equipment you use depends on the type of rock |
| Rock climbing is a physically and mentally challenging | | | | climbing you will be undertaking. |
| sport. Knowledge of proper climbing techniques and | | | | There is some criticism directed towards rock |
| usage of specialized climbing equipment is essential as | | | | climbing due to several reasons. One of these is |
| it can be a dangerous sport. So a person who wants | | | | environmental concerns that many have due to the |
| to take up this sport needs to do a lot of research | | | | fact that while climbing soil erosion, chalk |
| before starting. | | | | accumulation, littering, abandoned bolts and ropes, |
| Due to the wide variety and range of rock | | | | human excrement, introduction of foreign plants |
| formations around the world, rock climbing has been | | | | through seeds on shoes and clothing, and damage to |
| divided into several different styles. Some of them | | | | native plant species does occur. But many climbers |
| are - Aid, Traditional, Sport, Bouldering, Free climbing, | | | | today adhere to minimal impact and no trace |
| Free soloing, Solo aid, Indoor, Scrambling, Deep | | | | practices to limit their trace on the environment. |
| Water Soloing, Mixed climbing, Rope soloing, Simul | | | | All in all rock climbing is a very interesting sport which |
| climbing, Top roping. | | | | everyone should give a try. It helps to keep a person |
| It is very important to use the right gear for each | | | | healthy in many ways both physically and mentally |
| style as each of the above styles has a different | | | | due to the harsh conditions one is in while climbing |
| requirement due to the different terrains each one | | | | and also while preparing for the climb. |
| uses. The terrains range from very extreme and | | | | So go ahead, do your research and start climbing |
| dangerous to terrains that amateurs would use. | | | | today. |