Rock Climbing

When Climbing Becomes Rock Climbing

The basic foundation of rock climbing is extremely clear-cut: what the climber needs to do is ascend from the bottom of a rock to emerge at the top. In broad terms, this take place on a natural rock formation which offer a steep rock face for challenging climb. This rock could be just meters wide boulder (called bouldering), or else a gigantic rock face you might expect on a rock tower like Mont Aiguille. Either way, the climber has to scale the rock to reach the top.

If rock climbing could be this easy, all that's needed to rock climb would be a pair of good traction shoes and a chalk bag. However, the contemporary stance of rock climbing is nowhere near easy, in fact even the easiest variant of rock climbing is already a very demanding task. But what do people see in rock climbing that makes it one of the most pursued outdoor activities nowadays?

Rock climbing speaks volumes of strength, endurance, stamina, and willpower. With these in ample supply, the climber can take on any challenges whatever the grade of the climb is. If you were familiar with rock climbing history, you would know that this activity had evolved from an alpine necessity to a sport/ lifestyle/ outdoor activity it is today. As a sport, rock climbing does well. It poses degrees of challenges, and it utilizes the climber's skills. For some, rock climbing has become so much a lifestyle, like hunting and fishing. Rock climbing requires a great deal of concentration and physical fitness.

There are many takes for rock climbing, and each differ from the precautions taken.

Traditional Rock Climbing is a variant that makes use of artificial aids (also called protection or climbing aids) for the climb. These tools aid the rock climber as well as provide for safety measures. Normally, traditional rock climbing would involve two climbers, one as lead climber and the other as belayer.

Free Rock Climbing is another popular variant. While it does not use artificial aids for the climb, these makes use of ropes and equipments only as a safety measure. Many enthusiasts prefer free rock climbing to traditional rock climbing since it is less complex than traditional rock climbing, though also for the same reason free rock climbing is only good at short climbing spurts.

If you call rock climbing extreme activity, then Solo Rock Climbing is the "extremest" if such term exists. Solo rock climbing makes neither use of artificial aids nor protective gear. The climber may only have a chalk bag in which he can use from time to time to get the sweat off his palms. Solo rock climbing is very dangerous, for that reason it is often used in situations that could present remedy to an occasion of a fall, such as deep water solo rock climbing.

Aside from the guts exacted to start the climb, the sheer physical and mental effort it takes to reach the top can make rock climbing not really for everybody. But to those that can, rock climbing becomes the most fulfilling activity.