Rock climbing is the original extreme sport. Basically, rock climbing is going from the bottom of a wall to the top and then back down again. The main goal is to have fun while doing so and to preferably not die. Its roots go back at least 200 years to the explorers of the high Alps and Himalayas and probably even 6)further. It's a dangerous sport that requires experience, skill and a cool head. But if you're the right type of person to do it, a whole new world of vertical fun will open up.
The best and safest way to get started is to go to an indoor climbing gym. The "rock" walls at an indoor gym are not really made of rock at all. They are usually tall wooden walls with hard plastic handholds set at various angles. The handholds feel like rock, and allow the climber to have as realistic an experience as possible.
Climbing gyms have many advantages. They are safe because experienced climbers are always around. People can learn from instructors how to belay-to hold a partner's rope while he or she is climbing. You can also take classes that teach important safety skills. Furthermore, you don't have to buy lots of expensive equipment. Gyms usually provide ropes and rent shoes, harnesses and belaying devices. And let's face it: when you can use an indoor gym, there's no excuse to skip practice on a rainy day.
After you've toughened up your hands and built up some enthusiasm at an indoor gym, it's time to go outdoors and try sport climbing. To do this, it's necessary to buy some gear. Except for the most popular spots, you'll need to bring your own rope, climbing shoes, helmet, belaying devices and clips for the bolts on the rock walls. Some chalk for your hands would be nice too.
Sport climbing started in the 1970s when French rock climbers began drilling bolts into rock walls to make them safer to climb. Because the bolts were never taken out, climbers didn't need to worry about making their own trails. As the climbers went up, they just clipped their ropes onto the bolts. The bolts made falling less dangerous, so sport climbers tried the same route again and again (falling often) until they got it just right.
OK, you've done your time at the indoor gym and you've "sent" enough sport climb routes. Now you want to try something new. It's time for a traditional climb. For this type of climbing, you have to be mentally prepared. There won't be any bolts fastened to the rock walls, so it's up to you to put them there. For this, you'll need special tools that stick into holes and cracks in the rock. These tools then attach to your rope. Finding the right place to put the tools that will save your life requires a cool head. If you panic, there’s a good chance you'll die. So make sure you try an indoor gym first.
There are many ways to rock climb. You could spend a few hours a week at a gym, getting 1)in shape and getting to know some climbing 2)buddies. Or you could just go out on your weekends to climb at a favorite spot. Or if you're really into it, you might put handholds all over your house to practice on. However you do it, rock climbing can bring out the true monkey in you.
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