| Rock climbing can be pretty dangerous. If you don't | | | | If you decide that you want to progress to climbing |
| have the correct kit for what you are doing then | | | | longer routes then this will mean buying some more |
| you can get seriously hurt. In this respect it seems to | | | | kit. Sport climbing uses bolts and is the next, least |
| be a pretty exclusive activity in that only those with | | | | expensive, part of climbing as a whole. For sport |
| the equipment and experience to use it can do it. | | | | climbing you will need a rock climbing harness, a rope |
| Though this is true of some aspects of rock climbing, | | | | and some quickdraws. If you are sport climbing it will |
| it is not true of all types: | | | | be with a partner. So, it makes sense for you to |
| Deep Water Soloing | | | | share the cost with them by buying different pieces |
| The least expensive type of climbing is a relatively | | | | of equipment between you. How many quickdraws |
| new type. Deep Water Soloing involves climbing cliffs | | | | you need and how long your rope needs to be |
| which are directly above water. This means that | | | | depends wholly on the length of route that you will |
| when you get tired or fall, you just fall into the | | | | be climbing. |
| water. For this you need some rock climbing shoes | | | | Trad Climbing |
| and something to swim in. | | | | The next step once you want to be more |
| Bouldering | | | | adventurous is a fairly big one. The progression from |
| Bouldering is an offshoot of climbing and is very | | | | sport climbing, using bolts, is to trad climbing, using |
| closely linked. It involved completing the hardest | | | | leader placed protection. This obviously means buying |
| moves your body is capable of, close to the ground. | | | | all of the protection you think you might need to |
| You use a mat which absorbs the shock when you | | | | place. This can include nuts, cams, hexes, slings and |
| land and ideally 'spotters' who will help make sure you | | | | micro-nuts. In addition to the actual protection, you |
| land upright and on your mat. Bouldering is a great | | | | will need a lot more screw-gates and quickdraws to |
| way to improve your climbing and is pursued by | | | | attach to the protection and construct belays. |
| many as an end in itself. | | | | When trad climbing, it is often in a slightly more |
| Bouldering requires very little equipment or | | | | committing location than if you were sport climbing. |
| experience for you to have a go. You will need some | | | | The possibility of loose rock is much greater. You |
| rock climbing shoes and ideally a bouldering mat. With | | | | should therefore also invest in a climbing helmet. |
| just these two pieces of relatively inexpensive kit | | | | To buy all the gear for a long trad route is |
| you can begin. Often the rock and your hands will | | | | expensive, no matter how you do it. This doesn't |
| get sweaty. To counter this it is often useful to use | | | | mean that you can't climb though. There are things |
| chalk to absorb the moisture. For this you will need a | | | | you can do just with a pair of shoes. Over time you |
| chalk bag and, obviously, some chalk. | | | | will gradually build up your gear supply and gradually |
| Sport Climbing | | | | new doors will open. |