So you want to be a rock climber.  You’d like to climb a rock wallor maybe hang off the side of a rock formation somewhere.  Well, you’llhave several styles to choose from to do it.  It could be pretty easy andsafe or you could seriously risk your life.  Either way, you’ll need toknow exactly what you’re doing.

Rock climbing is climbing to the summit of a natural rock formation orclimbing to the summit of a manmade rock wall.  It could also be climbingto a designated endpoint on a climbing route.  It doesn’t always mean thatyou’ve got to reach the very top.  A sectional climb like this is referredto as a pitch.  If you’re climbing several routes consecutively, it wouldbe considered a multi-pitch climb. 

Rock climbing has been around for nearly a hundred years.  Climbershave encountered many kinds of rock formations all around the world.  It’snot surprising then that rock climbing has branched into several more distinctstyles.  Most of the rock climbing done today is considered to be a formof free climbing.  This involves using solely one’s own physical abilityto climb.  Equipment is used but only as a means of protection fromfalling. 

-  Aid climbing.  The safest method of rock climbing is aidclimbing.  Equipment is used for all handholds and all footholds, meaningthat the climber is assisted every step of the way.  When rock climbingfirst began, this method allowed for ascents that were believedimpossible.  It was this fantastic enabling quality of aid climbing thathelped to bring such interest to the sport. 

- Bouldering.  This style of rock climbing involves short climbingroutes that are near enough to the ground that a fall should not result in theclimber’s death.  There is no rope or harness but, preferably, there is ahelmet.  The only other option for protection is to use a bouldering pad(protective mat).  The climbing partner (an absolute necessity) on theground usually directs the location of this pad, aligning it with the climber’slocation.  The climbing partner is also the all-seeing eye that warns theclimber of hazardous areas.

-  Top Roping.  This is probably the easiest and safest way tofree climb.  A rope is already secured through an anchor at the top of theclimb.  A belayer, your climbing partner, holds onto the opposite end ofthe rope, controlling any give or take while keeping ittaut.      

-  Lead Climbing.  This involves a lead climber who ascends withone end of a rope tied to his harness.  The belayer, the leader’s partner,holds onto the other end of the rope, giving or taking up slack asneeded.  The lead climber sets up a belay system as she climbs, securingsafety anchors for her partner to use, which is also the fail-safe system tocatch the lead climber in case she falls.

If this is a multi-pitch route, the partner picks up the anchor points onthe way up.  The climbers then proceed to the next pitch.  If it’s asingle pitch, the anchor points are cleaned (taken out) on the way down by thelast climber.  This is a great way to help keep criticisms at bay thatrock climbers litter the natural landscape.  All climbers should live thecreed:  Take nothing, leave nothing.

-  Traditional Climbing and Sport Climbing.  These methods ofclimbing are both styles of lead climbing.  The difference is in how theprotection is placed.  In sport climbing, the anchors are alreadyset.  You needn’t worry about placing them or removing them.  Intraditional climbing, the anchors are placed as the climb progresses and thenremoved by the last climber.

-  Free Solo Climbing.  This is also called free soloing.  Itis the most advanced form of rock climbing.  The climber uses nothing forprotection.  No anchor points, no belay, no rope and no harness.  Ifhe falls, he falls unencumbered all the way down.  It’s quitefrightening.  Accidents, in this case, are tragic.  You’ve got to befit, skilled and have great emotional and psychological control to do thissuccessfully.  Be more than ready.  Be extremely more thanready.  Your life depends on it.

If you decide to free solo, be very weary of the weather.   Theclimbing may be going just fine and then it rains.  This could prove fatalto this kind of climber.  Dry, sunny days are what you want.  Don’trisk your life.

-  Deep water soloing.  The only “safe” method of free soloing isdeep water soloing.  This is climbing done on sea cliffs over water. While falling into the ocean beneath a cliff face seems better than falling onhard ground, it isn’t particularly safe.  You’ve got to be aware of thetides and of prevailing wave action, of submerged boulders or coral islands. Not only that but, if you’re climbing more than 80 feet above the surfaceof the water, the impact alone could prove fatal.  Mind yourelevation. 

-  Indoor Climbing.  This designation is for all rock climbingdone indoors.  Climbing is done on man-made rock climbing walls.  Anystyle is permitted, although not free soloing.  You’re required to wearand use all safety gear.  This would be the safest and most recommendedway to learn how to rock climb.    

There you have it, all the ways to rock climb.  It could be a highlydangerous activity where you risk your life at every moment.  Or it couldbe very safe and protected without worry.  Just use caution at alltimes.  And, please, don’t ever climb outdoors alone.  You knowyou’re just asking for it.

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Len Q. is a master blade sharpener and an adventurer who strives to protectthe natural world.  If you would like to learn about

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