| Rock climbing did not start to become a sport in its | | | | elasticity to help absorb the shock of a fall without |
| own right until the latter part of the 1900s. At first, | | | | breaking, and the rope is usually threaded through a |
| rock climbing was just a necessary part of mountain | | | | series of sharp curves on a belay device which |
| climbing: the set of techniques that one had to make | | | | prevent the rope from running loose and the lead |
| use of in order to scale sheer rock faces. However, | | | | climber from falling any farther. |
| with climbing locations around the world that are | | | | Once the lead climber has ascended a short vertical |
| specially suited to this and only this style of climbing, | | | | distance, he or she will set up an anchor system |
| rock climbing has become a popular pastime. While | | | | using bolted hangers and / or spring loaded cams to |
| rock climbing may still be necessary for some | | | | secure the belaying equipment on his end of the rope |
| mountain ascents, most people who rock climb for | | | | to the rock. After that, the lead climber will take a |
| fun climb at relatively low altitudes, where weather | | | | rest and become the second, while the second |
| conditions and lack of oxygen are not major | | | | becomes the lead climber and passes by on the way |
| concerns and where attention can be focused on the | | | | up. By taking advantage of such a system, the |
| techniques of climbing. | | | | process of climbing is made much safer, and as long |
| Usually when ascending a vertical surface, climbers | | | | as the belaying system is safely secured to the |
| work together in pairs. One of the rock climbers will | | | | outcroppings and niches of the rock face both of the |
| move further up the face of the rock, while the | | | | climbers should be able to protect each other with a |
| other stays where he or she is. Both of the climbers | | | | safety line that is always in place. Only in special |
| will be linked by a rope, and the lower climber will | | | | conditions should rock climbers attempt to "move |
| give the upper climber a longer length of rope using a | | | | together", or both climb at once, as this leaves them |
| belaying device as the climber ascends (the length of | | | | without a solid support and if one falls the other may |
| rope between the two should be minimized in order | | | | be dragged off as well. When moving together, the |
| to prevent the strength of sudden jerking motions | | | | lead climber will usually place a large number of |
| which take place if one of the climbers drops). When | | | | handhold supports into the face of the rock to help |
| the lead climber falls, the distance that he or she falls | | | | the second hang on if there is an accident, but this is |
| will be twice that of the length of rope between the | | | | still very risky. Climbers must always remember to |
| lead climber and the climber belaying the rope. Modern | | | | exercise proper safety precautions for a fun, |
| climbing rope is designed with a certain degree of | | | | controlled ascent. |