Climbing Fundamentals Archives - The Adventure Junkies https://www.theadventurejunkies.com Be Safe, Confident & Prepared In The Outdoors Thu, 02 Dec 2021 13:02:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9.3 https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-AJFaviconSquare-32x32.png Climbing Fundamentals Archives - The Adventure Junkies https://www.theadventurejunkies.com 32 32 101 Gifts For Rock Climbers – The Ultimate Gift Guide for Climbers https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/best-gifts-for-rock-climbers/ Sat, 09 Sep 2017 23:16:39 +0000 https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/?p=35828 Buying gifts can be stressful and time consuming. On top of that, what if your friends obsess over one specific activity? We’re here to help you choose the perfect gift for the rock climbing junkies in your life. Climbing is a niche adventure sport and climbers have very specific wants, loves, and needs. Use our […]

The post 101 Gifts For Rock Climbers – The Ultimate Gift Guide for Climbers appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> Buying gifts can be stressful and time consuming. On top of that, what if your friends obsess over one specific activity? We’re here to help you choose the perfect gift for the rock climbing junkies in your life. Climbing is a niche adventure sport and climbers have very specific wants, loves, and needs. Use our selection of the 101 best gifts for rock climbers to find the perfect present for your climbing friends.

Our guide highlights gifts everyone would love, gifts for him or her, and gifts for the kid climber in your life. Furthermore, we’ve categorized suggestions by price range and gift type. Think about your climbing friends: Do they love reading? Are they into training? Do they collect art? Start with their interests and then let the following list narrow you in on a best choice. Happy giving!

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

GIFTS FOR EVERYONE UNDER 50 USD

CRAG SURVIVAL HANDBOOK: THE UNSPOKEN RULES OF CLIMBING

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

The Crag Survival Handbook is an excellent gift for any climber looking to make the transition from indoor to outdoor climbing. In an age where mentorship has largely fallen away, this book is a great resource for bridging the gap. Contains valuable info for new climbers and important reminders for veterans about crag ethics.

 

 

 

DRAWN: THE ART OF ASCENT

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

This beautiful book is about finding the balance between climbing, adventure and life. Jeremy Collins winds together stories of climbing, art, adventure, and family. An excellent gift for any climber passionate about the journey of story-telling.

 

 

 

MAKE OR BREAK: DON’T LET CLIMBING INJURIES DICTATE YOUR SUCCESS

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Climbers can get obsessed over injuries. If you have a friend who has been injured from climbing, you likely know first hand how true this can be. Help your friends stay on top of injuries and make better decisions about injury prevention with the gift of this book.

 

 

 

THE PUSH: A CLIMBER’S JOURNEY OF ENDURANCE, RISK, AND GOING BEYOND LIMITS

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

The brand new book by one of the world’s most talented climbers, Tommy Caldwell, has hit the shelves this year. Bound to be a best-seller for climbers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, The Push is the book to buy for your climbing friends.

 

 

 

ROCK CLIMBING NUTRITION: THE ESSENTIAL FOOD GUIDE FOR CLIMBERS

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

In the modern era of climbing, many climbers are highly focused on training and body maintenance. The fuel you put in your body is important. Aicacia Young’s book on nutrition offers insight to help climbers choose a diet that maximizes their performance and potential.

 

 

 

WORLD CLIMBING: IMAGES FROM THE EDGE

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

A perfect coffee table book for the homes of your climber friends. The images of Simon Carter showcase the breath-taking grandeur of rock faces throughout the natural world. The human feats of scaling such impressive walls are sure to capture the imagination of climbers and non climbers alike. Carter’s artistic representation of climbing will have your friends flipping through the pages again and again.

 

 

 

MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION

Check out the latest price on: 
Gripped

Climbing magazines were the original media through which climbers received breaking news about their sport. In the age of social media where all news is instant, magazines now focus on stunning photography and exceptional story-telling. There are three primary magazines devoted to climbing in the USA: Climbing, Rock and Ice, and Alpinist. Gripped is Canada’s climbing magazine.

 

 

 

BUFF

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

A buff is versatile and can meet all sorts of needs for climbers. Use it as a scarf for warmth on cooler days. Dip it in a stream to wash your face or cool yourself off mid approach. Use it as a bandana to keep the sweat off your nose and your hair out of your eyes. Protect yourself from dust in the desert and bugs in the forest. Buffs are also lightweight, comfortable, and a great tool for expressing personal style.

 

 

 

DYNAMITE STARFISH T-SHIRT

Check out the latest price on: 
Dynamite Starfish

Supporting small companies is a popular choice among climbers. Your friends will love this LA-based lifestyle brand that creates t-shirt art to celebrate California’s climbing. Dynamite Starfish donates 5% of their proceeds to local non-profits for conservation of climbing areas.

 

 

 

AEROPRESS COFFEE MAKER

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

The AeroPress has become all the rage among climbers. This easy to use press makes quick and delicious coffee-by-the-cup with little waste. Perhaps best of all, the required cleaning is minimal, which makes it perfect for your friends who live the dirtbag lifestyle.

 

 

 

ALPINE START COFFEE

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

A delicious alternative to pressing a pot of coffee at the crag. Alpine Start is perfect for climbers who are on the go or keen on early, alpine starts to their day. Enjoy premium instant coffee made from high quality, high altitude arabica beans. Their “instant coffee that actually tastes good” can be enjoyed hot or cold.

 

 

 

GNARLY WHEY SPORTS PROTEIN

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Climbing places great demands on the body and muscles. Protein is important for recovery, and when climbers allow their bodies to recover they can perform better. Gnarly Nutrition protein powders fuel outdoor adventurers with products that are natural, clean, and great-tasting. They are also GMO-free, use only natural sweeteners, and their whey protein is sourced from New Zealand grass-fed cows with no hormones or rSBTs.

 

 

 

SKRATCH LABS HYDRATION MIX

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

Plenty of hiking and climbing, especially in the heat, can use up a lot of electrolytes during the day. Keep your climbing friends healthy and hydrated with some delicious hydration mixes. Skratch Labs drink powders are all natural and come in a variety of wildly enticing flavors like Passion Fruit and Pineapple.

 

 

 

SPOTLIGHT

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

A spotlight is an especially great gift for the committed boulderer in your life. During the hot months of summer, many boulderers wait for cooler temperatures after nightfall to try their projects. What’s the big problem with this timing? The all-consuming darkness. A spotlight can light up those hard-to-see holds and make all the difference for a great night session.

 

 

 

ACCESS FUND MEMBERSHIP

Check out the latest price on: 
Access Fund

The Access Fund plays a major role in climbing in North America, by helping to keep access open and available to all climbers. We believe every climber should contribute to the Access Fund if they are able. If you know your friends are not yet members, help them out by purchasing a membership in their name! If they already have a membership, you could always set them up with the American Alpine Club or the local access society in their area.

 

 

 

PORTABLE SPEAKER

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Great for adding some music around the campfire, or watching late night movies on the laptop when on the road. Please remind your friends to avoid the use of portable speakers at the crag if others are around though. It is important to always be respectful of other climbers enjoying the outdoors.

 

 

 

BLACK DIAMOND MOJI LANTERN

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

These cute little lanterns pack a punch by adding 100 lumens of ambient light to a tent or campsite at night. They are simple and compact, running on just three AAA batteries. A unique dimming switch allows users to taper the brightness to their liking.

 

 

 

DRY POINTE SHOE INSERTS

Check out the latest price on: 
Dry Pointe

It is no secret that climbing shoes are stinky beasts. There are tricks to minimizing shoe odor, but the reality is that trapped sweaty feet lead to a build up in dead skin and bacteria. You can help your friends to fight the battle with a pair of dry pointe shoe inserts. These soft silica-filled balls will soak up the moisture inside climbing shoes and reduce the chance for bacteria to thrive. Get your friends to slip dry pointes into their shoes at the end of every climbing session to combat the smells and stretch the lifespan of their shoes. Dry pointes can be “recharged” whenever their moisture-sucking abilities are used up.

 

 

 

ROCK CLIMBER EVOLUTION MUG

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Almost all climbers drink tea or coffee. Here’s your chance to help your friends show off their love for climbing while enjoying a hot beverage. These mugs depict the popular sketch showing human evolution into climbers.

Do you have buddies who love pushing themselves in the climbing gym? A climbing hold mug is sure to make your friends smile and keep them psyched about heading to the gym when the work day wraps up. Climbing-themed mugs are also a great conversation piece.

 

 

 

CLIMBING CALENDAR

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Keep track of climbing dates, plan upcoming trips, and stay inspired with an 18 month climbing calendar. Each month features stunning images from climbing destinations around the world.

 

 

 

CLIMB ON! REPAIR BAR

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

One of the original and most trusted hand balms used by climbers. Climb On! is a hand balm bar that climbers rub into their shredded tips and calloused fingers to help heal and promote skin regrowth.

 

 

 

CLIMB SKIN HAND CREAM

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Climb Skin repair cream is produced in Europe and rapidly gaining hype in North America. Endorsed by Chris Sharma himself, your climbing friends are going to love testing Climb Skin for themselves. Use as you would any regenerative hand cream, by applying to clean hands at the end of a skin-shredding session.

 

 

 

CRKT NIAD KNIFE

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

The CRKT Niad Climbers Knife was designed by Hans Florine, one of the great speed climbers of the Nose in Yosemite. This knife is light and versatile, making a great addition to any climber’s pack. You never know when you might need to slice some cheese or repair your rope on a day out.

 

 

 

REELROCK FILM

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Each year the Reel Rock film festival brings climbers together to celebrate their sport while showcasing some of the best climbing stories of the year. You can purchase tickets for reel rock events across the country to enjoy these great films with your climbing community. But did you know you can also buy the collection of films after the screenings are finished each year? A great way to treat your friends to their favorite collection.

 

 

 

DRAW TAGS

Check out the latest price on: 
Etsy

DrawTags are one of a kind fabric identifiers for your quickdraws. Do you have climber friends who are obsessed with sport climbing and projecting? DrawTags are a low profile, lightweight and funky alternative to using nail polish or colored tape to identify your draws. They slip easily over the dogbone and don’t interfere with grabbing the draw. You and your friends will never mix your quickdraws up again. All designs are custom and unique.

 

 

 

FRICTION LABS CHALK

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

The Mercedes Benz of climbing chalk, your friends won’t be complaining if they are gifted a shiny foil pack of one of Friction Labs signature chalks. Friction Labs claims reduced impurities leading to longer lasting coverage and better friction on the rock.

 

 

 

CAMPING MAT SEAT

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

Do you know a climber who is also an “aggressive sitter”? When not climbing on rocks, climbers spend a lot of time sitting on them, which can lead to rapid wear of their beloved pants. A lightweight sitting mat will save their clothing and substantially increase their comfort at the crag.

 

 

 

JOSHUA TREE LIP BALM

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Climbers spend so much time in the sun and wind that chapped lips are almost inevitable. You can’t go wrong with Joshua Tree lip balm (the Mountain Mint flavor is our favorite). JTree lip balm soothes dry lips while adding protection at SPF 15 for continued adventures.

 

 

 

LUCI INFLATABLE SOLAR LIGHT

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

A fun and useful gift for your climber friends. Set your LUCI lamp out while you’re at the crag for the day so the panel can charge. In the evening simply inflate it to enjoy great campsite ambiance from an unoffensive solar-powered glow.

 

 

 

NEWDORA HAMMOCK

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Climbers love to unwind after a day on the rocks. A hammock is a fantastic, low volume lounge chair that takes relaxing to the next level. The Newdora Hammock is affordable, made from ultralight, durable nylon, and can hold up to 600 lbs!

 

 

 

PETZL ACTIK HEADLAMP

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

Whether it be for a night climbing adventure, prepping a meal at camp, or safety on the hike out from the crag, every climber needs a headlamp. Offering 300 lumens, the Petzl Actik is a great low profile and lightweight option that won’t occupy too much space in your friend’s crag bag.

 

 

 

YETI RAMBLER COLSTER

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

Don’t let your friends’ drinks warm up! The Yeti Rambler Colster has heavy-duty, rustproof stainless-steel walls with double-wall vacuum insulation. This classy and comfortable insulator is great to have on hand to help enjoy the end of the day.

 

 

 

STANLEY CLASSIC FLASK

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Looking to enjoy a little something once you’ve finished at the crag or are back at the campfire with friends? The Stanley Classic flask is a tried and true vessel for transporting the celebratory beverage you love.

 

 

 

SUBLIME BRUSH

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Sublime has created the fanciest brush to hit the market in climbing. Their boar’s hair brushes have over 14,000 bristles and are guaranteed to brush better and last longer. They are ergonomically shaped for comfort and to protect the neck from snapping against your project. The handle even has a secret compartment.

 

 

 

ATLIN TRAVEL MUG

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

This classy, stainless steel and vacuum insulated mug is perfect for carrying the hot liquids your climbing friends can’t be without. The Atlin Travel Mug is also great for icy beverages.

 

 

 

ZIPPO HAND WARMER

 

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

It is often necessary to climb in the cold to get the friction required to stick to the rock. In these sorts of conditions climbers need to stay warm between their burns! Hand warmers are a tried and true trick loved by many. Stuff the stocking of a climber with one of these reusable hand warmers, or a bundle of the single use variety.

 

 

 

CLIMB BUMPER STICKER

Check out the latest price on: 
CafePress

Stickers are a big hit among climbers, helping people to take ownership of their climbing culture. This bumper sticker will look great on your climbing friend’s car with letters artfully designed using climbing gear. For additional stickers, check your local gear store for a “sticker fund” that may help with rebolting or development costs in your area.

 

 

 

CLIMBING HOLD MAGNET SET

Check out the latest price on:
Etsy

There is always a need for hanging things on the fridge. This set of 10 climbing magnets is made from real climbing holds. Your friends may need to avoid the temptation of pulling on them when they’re grabbing goodies from the fridge. Do you have climbing friends who live in a van rather than a house? The body of their vehicle is magnetic too!

 

 

 

STATIC CLIMBING CHALK BAG

Check out the latest price on: 
REI

Surprise your friends with an artfully constructed chalk bag from the California-based company, Static Climbing. Static Climbing partners with artists to produce chalk bags that are functional, beautiful, and long-lasting. There are tons of great designs to choose from.

 

 

 

CRAG CARDS ESSENTIAL KNOTS

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Knots are immensely important to the safety of climbers. Your route climbing friends will love this small pack of essential knots cue cards. Taking up almost no space, these are a handy addition to any crag pack. A great for beginners who need to review, yet still useful for experts who might need to look up a less common knot in unusual situations.

 

 

 

DMM REVOLVER CARABINER

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

The DMM revolver carabiner has a unique roller insert that significantly reduces friction when the rope passes over it. Hanging a revolver biner on a quickdraw at the crux of a route where the climber falls repeatedly can reduce wear on the rope. Revolver biners can also be helpful at minimizing rope drag. Be cautious if using a revolver draw when the climber is much heavier than the belayer. A big weight differential coupled with reduced friction can lead to large and potentially unsafe falls.

 

 

 

PETZL BELAY GLOVES

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

A good pair of belay gloves can save your hands from rope abrasion and keep them clean when handling dirty ropes. If you have a climbing friend with sensitive skin, make their life a little more pleasant with a pair of Petzl Belay Gloves. Belay gloves are also great for climbers who do a lot of rope ascension.

 

 

 

SUPER CLIP STICK CLIP

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

A stick clip is an especially good gift for your sport climbing friends. Simple and easy to use, the super clip stick clip makes sport climbing safer by allowing you to clip up the rope and protect the opening moves on a route. This stick clip head has no moving parts and can hang and remove ropes or quickdraws. Pair it with a 12-foot extendable pole for the perfect gift.

 

 

 

OCUN CRACK CLIMBING GLOVES

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Crack gloves are a great idea for your trad climbing buddies. These Ocun gloves are made from microfiber stretch suede and sensitive, sticky rubber for maximum friction. Save waste by no longer needing to construct tape gloves for those splitter lines.

 

 

 

GRIPMASTER HAND EXERCISER

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

Help your friends improve their finger grip strength with the Gripmaster. The Gripmaster offers 9lbs of resistance for each finger on individual springs to ensure all fingers work equally. Worry no longer about keeping your pinkies strong. An alternative, simpler design is the GripPro Hand Strength Trainer – great for strengthening fingers, hands and forearms. Both of these grip strength training options are small and convenient to keep at your desk at work or in your bag for the climbing gym. They also both make for a nice warm up tool.

 

 

 

ACUPRESSURE MASSAGE RINGS

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Chinese acupressure rings help the body in the same way as acupuncture but without skin penetration. Roll them up and down your fingers when they are sore or tired, or if you are experiencing any numbness. The rings will enhance circulation and help to promote healing.

 

 

 

METOLIUS GRIP SAVER PLUS

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

The Grip Saver is an excellent opposition tool that will strengthen all 18 hand muscles in a single motion. Devoting time to opposition is essential for injury prevention. Conducting exercises with this tool can also help with rehabilitation of hand or finger injuries.

 

 

 

YOGA MAT

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon  | REI

A yoga mat is a versatile gift for a climber regardless of whether they practice yoga. A mat provides a comfortable space for warm-up stretches, core and body strength exercises. It is also a place for body maintenance such as rolling on a foam roller or lacrosse ball. The options are endless.

 

 

 

20LB BAG OF RICE

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Impress your climbing friends with how savvy you are about hand opposition tools. Rice makes one of the easiest opposition training tools for climbers. There are a multitude of rice bucket exercises to help climbers strengthen their forearms and protect the tendons and pulleys in their fingers. For a quirky gift that your friends will love, wrap up a bucket with a 20lb bag of rice inside.

 

 

 

THERABAND RESISTANCE BANDS

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Warming up is critical for minimizing the risk of injury. Quickly get your arms and shoulders warm before climbing with the use of a TheraBand. TheraBands are also great for resistance training and building strength in antagonist muscles.

 

 

 

THERA CANE MASSAGER

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Climbing at your limit leads to sore muscles, especially in the shoulders, lats and upper back. A thera cane is the perfect easy-to-use self massage tool that allows you to apply direct pressure in those hard-to-reach places. A thera cane is particularly great for those who spend a lot of time training or on the road without access to a massage therapist. Another easy way to apply direct pressure to knots in muscles is by rolling on a lacrosse ball. A lacrosse ball is small and portable and makes for an extremely effective massage tool.

 

 

 

VIVE THERAPUTTY

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Climbers put a huge amount of strain on their tendons. They are always pulling their hands closed and strengthening the flexor muscles in the forearms and hands. Tools that help with range of motion and opposition for the fingers are very valuable. Theraputty can help to regulate the imbalance between flexor and extensor muscles. Start with fingers together in the putty and extend them outwards against the resistance of the material.

 

 

 

FOAM ROLLER

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon  | REI

Foam rollers are self-massage tools that can help work knots and tension out of big muscle groups like the legs and back. Foam rolling, or self-myofascial release, is a great body maintenance tool for climbers to stay healthy and prevent injuries. In particular, new research is showing that foam rolling can help muscles to recover without compromising performance.

 

 

 

MUSIC BY CHRISTOPHER PARKER

Check out the latest price on: 
iTunes

Few climbers produce climbing-inspired music, but Chris Parker is one who does. For a singer-songwriter album that reflects the experiences of the climbing community in America, pick up his EP on itunes.

 

 

 

BOULDER TRAINER APP

Check out the latest price on: 
BoulderTrainer

There are a ton of different hangboards on the market. Best uses for the different boards can vary, which can make training overwhelming. This app for Apple or Android will walk your friends through pre-set workouts specialized to whichever board they own.

 

 

 

POWER COMPANY CLIMBING EBOOK

Check out the latest price on: 
The Power Company

Know a climber friend who wants to train but is super self-directed? Power Company Climbing offers a variety of different Ebooks that deliver focused training plans. Whether they want to boulder stronger, climb 5.12, or advance their finger strength, the perfect Ebook is out there to help your friends reach their goals.

 

 

 

METOLIUS ROCK RINGS

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

Rock rings are a great, portable training option for climbers. They are especially useful for beginners starting to explore hangboard training tools. Rock rings are inexpensive, innovative, friendly on skin, and allow for rotation of joints because of free hanging design.

 

 

 

THE ROCK CLIMBER’S TRAINING MANUAL

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

The Rock Climber’s Training Manual is one of the most highly acclaimed training manuals for climbing. The manual is authored by the Anderson brothers who have a combined 30+ years of experience in physical and mental training for climbing. The book clearly describes all elements of physical training and provides exercises and training plans to help climbers progress and reach their goals.

 

 

 

THE ROCK WARRIOR’S WAY

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

The mental barriers that some climbers face are substantial. In his popular book, Arno Ilgner teaches climbers to cope with issues of self-worth, ego, fear, and more. He uses clear, philosophical insight and easy-to-follow instructions to sharpen your mental tools.

 

 

 

 

GIFTS FOR EVERYONE BETWEEN 50 – 200 USD

FRED BECKEY’S 100 FAVORITE NORTH AMERICAN CLIMBS

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Fred Beckey is a 94 year old rock climbing legend. He has more first ascents than any other North American rock climber, and is still climbing to this day. This wonderful book describes 100 of his favorite climbs, accompanied by stunning photography. Have a climber friend who appreciates the history of the sport and is looking for routes to add to their bucket list? This book is the perfect choice.

 

 

 

PATAGONIA HOUDINI

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

For those days when the desert kicks up some wicked winds but the temperature remains warm. Offering extremely lightweight protection, the Patagonia Houdini has climbers covered.

 

 

 

ORGANIC CLIMBING ROLL DOWN PACK

Check out the latest price on: 
Organic Climbing

No matter what type of climber you are buying for, they will love the Organic Climbing Roll Down Pack. These tubular bags are mega-durable, constructed with a 1050D ballistic nylon shell. The roll-down feature allows you to adjust to the size of whatever you’re carrying. A great, versatile bag for taking to the crag, carrying around town, or even using as a carry-on bag for a flight.

 

 

 

RHINO SKIN SOLUTIONS PERFORMANCE PACK

Check out the latest price on:
Skin Solutions

The ultimate care package for friends who have skin that needs some help to perform. Rhino Skin offers repair cream, performance cream, sweat-reducing “tip juice” and more – all designed to get your skin to perfection before a day of climbing. Each of the products in the Performance Pack can also be purchased individually.

 

 

 

GRIGRI +

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

The latest belay device in the GriGri family, released in the summer of 2017. The GriGri + offers new features over its predecessor, such as a switch between lead and top-rope mode, and an anti-panic handle. The leading belay device on the market has just gotten snazzier.

 

 

 

Y&Y VERTICAL BELAY GLASSES

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

Contribute to the movement that is saving the necks of belayers around the world. Belay glasses reduce the strain to a belayer’s neck, by allowing them to keep their head level while still watching their climber. We can’t think of any rope climber who wouldn’t appreciate the gesture of such a useful gift.

 

 

 

BLACK DIAMOND PIPE DREAM PACK

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

These packs are a dream luxury among sport climbers. What else can carry all your gear for you and then turn into a comfortable lounge chair once you make it to the crag?

 

 

 

SEND KNEEBAR PAD

Check out the latest price on: 
SEND

Ever heard your climbing friends complaining about kneebar scrapes and bruises on their thighs? That’s because “knees are the new feet” and SEND Climbing knows it. They’ve been helping climbers send their projects for years with incredible kneebar pads. Besides their classic three-strap version they also make a two-strap variation and offer their pads in “slim”.

 

 

 

ARMAID MASSAGE TOOL

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Muscle overuse combined with a build up of lactic acid can lead to extreme tightening in the forearms of climbers. The Armaid addresses this very issue. With an Armaid your climbing friends can roll out their own forearms, helping to heal and maintain their arm, elbow and hand health.

 

 

 

YOGA FOR CLIMBERS

Check out the latest price on:
Aim Adventure U

This newly developed online course is specifically for rock climbers, and focuses on flexibility, strength and confidence. Once signed up for the course, all 22 yoga classes become available for the students to watch and rewatch at their convenience.

 

 

 

CLIMBER CLOCK

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

A fun art piece for the home of your climbing friends. Help them count down the hours to the next session at the climbing gym or weekend trip on the rocks.

 

 

 

ARTWORK BY HANNAH DWYER

Check out the latest price on:
Etsy

Do you have a climber in your life who loves art? The works of Hannah Dwyer use color and texture to produce nature and climbing-inspired work that will add flair to any home (or van!).

 

 

ARTWORK BY RACHEL POHL

Check out the latest price on:
Rachel Pohl Art

Gorgeous paintings by climber Rachel Pohl will inspire your friends to explore the outdoors. Pohl uses bright colors to capture scenery and wild places. Your friends will also appreciate your choice to support a climbing artist.

 

 

 

PROBLEM SOLVER HANGBOARD

Check out the latest price on:
Problemsolver

A problem solver hangboard is an excellent option for your traveling climber friends who want to keep their fingers strong on the road. These portable and customizable hangboards come with inserts to create variable depth holds. The boards can be tilted to change angle, and holds can be added to the back of board to train additional grip positions.

 

 

 

 

GIFTS FOR EVERYONE OVER 200 USD

GOAL ZERO SHERPA 100 SOLAR KIT

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Are you planning a meaningful gift for the van-dwelling climber in your life? A Goal Zero package covers all the bases to set them up with power for their adventures. The Goal Zero set-ups include panels, battery, inverter and hook-ups. In addition to the one we’ve highlighted here, there are many smaller and larger package options to choose from.

 

 

 

YETI TUNDRA 35 COOLER

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

The sturdy construction of a yeti cooler will keep your friend’s food fresh while they’re out for a day on the rocks. Yeti coolers are extremely durable and certified Bear Resistant. The coolers are also available in a variety of larger and smaller sizes.

 

 

 

 

GIFTS FOR EVERYONE ANY AMOUNT USD

WHOLE FOODS MARKET GIFT CARD

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Many climbers pride themselves on a healthy diet and consumption of ethically sourced foods when possible. Do your climbing friends fit this description? A Whole Foods Gift Card is an excellent option to satisfy their cravings and get them loaded up with delicious crag snacks.

 

 

 

REI GIFT CARD

Check out the latest price on: 
REI

Give your friends the gift of whatever their gear closet needs… by letting them pick it themselves! Buying gear for climbers is tricky as so much depends on personal preference and fit. If you know a climber in desperate need of new shoes, but aren’t sure of the model or size they wear, a gift card is your the safest bet. A gift card is also the safest way to buy your friends personal safety gear.


 

 

GIFTS FOR HIM UNDER 50 USD

WORLD’S OKAYEST CLIMBER T-SHIRT

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

A t-shirt is a gift where you really can’t go wrong. Do you have a climber in your life who appreciates a good laugh? The World’s Okayest Climber t-shirt will get your friends chuckling. Help them say “I’m a rock climber” with a good balance between humble and self-deprecating humor.

Another great option is a climber and belayer shirt, with a subtle color scheme that will go with most clothing. Alternatively, a Cam Patent t-shirt is perfect for the nerdy gearhead among your climbing friends. Bonus points if they’re a trad climber as the design highlights all components of a spring-loaded camming device. Each patent t-shirt is individually printed for a new order.

 

 

 

PRANA MOJO SHORTS

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

The chances of going to the crag or boulder field and NOT finding someone sporting the prAna Mojo shorts are rare. They are one of the most popular pairs of men’s shorts. Their lightweight, airiness makes them an obvious winner with climbers, and they come in a huge variety of colors.

 

 

 

 

GIFTS FOR HIM BETWEEN 50 – 200 USD

PATAGONIA SNAP-T PULLOVER

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

The classic Patagonia fleeces are loved by most climbers for their somewhat funky and timeless style. The Snap-T Pullover is made from soft, durable 200-weight Synchilla fleece that insulates even when wet. Patagonia is a leader in the industry with regards to upholding social and environmental standards. The Snap-T Pullover is also available for women.

 

 

 

BOULDER DENIM JEANS

Check out the latest price on: 
BoulderDenim

The sleekest and snazziest climbing jeans on the market. These pants are ultra-stretchy to move with your body while climbing. They also make for a perfect transition from boulder field to brew pub at the end of the evening. These pants are weather-proofed, resistant to deformation and have reinforced stitching. Boulder denim jeans are also available for women.

 

 

 

 

BLACK DIAMOND MOMENTUM CLIMBING HARNESS PACKAGE

Check out the latest price on: 
REI

The momentum harness package is a perfect gift for the new climber in your life. The package is also a great choice for your friends who are transitioning from bouldering to route climbing. Comes with harness, belay device, locking carabiner, chalk bag, and chalk.

 

 

 

PETER GILROY TIE CLIP

Check out the latest price on: 
Peter Gilroy

Peter Gilroy’s beautifully crafted art pieces and jewelry are inspired by the rock that climbers love. Pieces reflect everything from angular granite to smooth, swirling sandstone. In addition to the full collection on his website, Gilroy designs custom pieces for interested customers. Five percent of online sales are donated to the Access Fund.


 

 

GIFTS FOR HER UNDER 50 USD

HIGH INFATUATION: A CLIMBER’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND GRAVITY

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

A collection of short stories and essays by Steph Davis, with themes of love, life, compassion, and friendship. Told through the lens of a life devoted to climbing.

 

 

 

WOMEN WHO DARE: NORTH AMERICA’S MOST INSPIRING WOMEN CLIMBERS

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

A celebration of strong and bold female climbers in the community. The book profiles twenty of the most prominent and inspiring women climbers, each telling her own story.

 

 

 

EXCUSE ME WHILE I POWDER MY HANDS TANK

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Bring a smile to your climbing friend’s faces with this clever tank. The caption draws on the necessity of chalking one’s hands to help improve friction while climbing.

 

 

 

PSTYLE

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Peeing outside is inevitable when you are climbing. As a woman, it can sometimes be hard to find the perfect spot and remain discrete. It is especially difficult for female climbers to pee on a multi-pitch. Female-urination-devices, or FUDs, are a great solution for tricky pee scenarios. The pstyle offers more power to your female friends, providing more options for when nature calls.

 

 

 

SUSPENDED STONE DESIGN PENDANT

Check out the latest price on: 
Suspended Stone Design

These stone pendant necklaces are designed by climber and biologist Kate Rutherford. The elegant pieces are created using stones that Kate has collected from beaches on the west coast. Each piece is unique as no two stones are alike.

 

 

 

 

GIFTS FOR HER BETWEEN 50 -200 USD

E9 ONDA STORY PANT

Check out the latest price on: 
Shop E9

For fun, expressive colors and an alternative to skin-tight leggings, check out the e9 clothing collection. This popular European brand has recently begun distribution in the USA. Pants feature funky pockets and cuts displayed in bright, playful colors that will help your friends stand out on the wall. A men’s apparel collection is also available.

 

 

 

STONEWEAR DESIGNS LIBERTY TIGHT CAPRIS

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Stonewear Designs liberty capris were designed with climbers in mind, making them perfectly suited to an active woman’s body. These pants are comfortable, flattering, and meant to last a lifetime. Awesome flexibility also allows for top performance on the rock.

 

 

 

ARET BASEWEAR TOURA TOP

Check out the latest price on:
Aret Basewear

Arêt Basewear makes one of the best climbing bras out there, designed by women for women. These tops are long-lasting and multi-use: they double as swimsuits and are reversible. They are carefully constructed to support and highlight a woman’s strength.

 

 

 

TICKETS TO WOMEN’S CLIMBING FESTIVAL

Check out the latest price on: 
Flash Foxy

The Flash Foxy Women’s Climbing Festival started in February 2016 and has expanded to host two events annually. You can join the Spring festival out west in Bishop, California, or the Fall festival out east in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The events provide an incredible space filled with support and psych for climbers of all ability levels.

Did you miss your chance to grab a ticket for the ticket for the Women’s Climbing Festival? Don’t fret – there are many other women’s specific climbing events popping up across North America.

 

 

 

BLACK DIAMOND PRIMROSE CLIMBING HARNESS PACKAGE

Check out the latest price on: 
REI

The primrose harness package is a perfect gift for the new climber in your life. The package is also a great choice for your friends who are transitioning from bouldering to route climbing. Comes with harness, belay device, locking carabiner, chalk bag, and chalk.

 

 

 

ROPE AND CARABINER BRACELET

Check out the latest price on: 
Etsy

Delicate, handmade, sterling silver climbing jewelry. The charm-style bracelet is made to look like a climbing rope with figure eight knots, connected by a tiny carabiner. A perfect dress-up piece for the rock climbing ladies in your life.


 

 

GIFTS FOR KIDS

GIFTS FOR KIDS UNDER 50 USD

EAR FLAP BEANIE

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon | REI

Kids need to work hard to stay warm when the weather takes a turn. Keep the young ones in your life psyched on spending time at the crag with a present. Gift a child a fun and functional beanie that will keep their ears comfy and toasty.

 

 

 

CRAWL-WALK-CLIMB ONESIE

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

A hilarious prediction for the infant of climbing parents. The Crawl-Walk-Climb onesie will have all your friends beside themselves over its cuteness. Made from 100% super soft ringspun cotton jersey.

 

 

 

 

+ CHALK BAG

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

The 8b+ chalk bag collection features fun creatures that will bring a smile to the faces of everyone at the crag. These are perfect for young climbers to enjoy. Gift one to a kid climber in your life and help them name their new furry friend.

 

 

 

MAD MONKEY IDS CLIMBING SHOE

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Kids feet grow quickly, but they still want real climbing shoes for their feet. For an affordable, entry-level option try out the Mad Monkey shoes. These climbing shoes help young climbers practice footwork from an early age before they size up into regular shoes on the market.

 

 

 

LIVING STONE CUSHIONS

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

An at home gift for the climbing children in your life. Living stones bring the play room to life with pillows in the shapes of large, realistic boulders.

 

 

 

 

GIFTS FOR KIDS BETWEEN 50 – 200 USD

MOUNTAINS BABY MOBILE

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

A soft mountains baby mobile is a great gift for a newborn into a climbing family. These adorable mobiles will please the parents and send the wee babe off to a dreamland filled with mountains they might one day climb.

 

 

 

DINOSAUR SHAPED CLIMBING HOLDS

Check out the latest price on: 
Amazon

Do you know a kid with a climbing wall in their bedroom or home? Add to their hold collection with a set of colorful, dinosaur or bird shaped holds. Additional holds give them more options for varied climbing, while the animal shapes keep it fun and exciting.

 

The post 101 Gifts For Rock Climbers – The Ultimate Gift Guide for Climbers appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> 49 of the Best Climbing Books of All Time https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/best-climbing-books/ Sat, 26 Aug 2017 10:40:59 +0000 https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/?p=47184 Are you looking for some great climbing-specific entertainment to help you relax on your next rest day? Maybe you’re in the market for a great read to help you unwind in the evenings while you count down to your next weekend trip in the mountains? To help you satisfy your literary cravings, we at The […]

The post 49 of the Best Climbing Books of All Time appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> Are you looking for some great climbing-specific entertainment to help you relax on your next rest day? Maybe you’re in the market for a great read to help you unwind in the evenings while you count down to your next weekend trip in the mountains? To help you satisfy your literary cravings, we at The Adventure Junkies are excited to share 49 of the best climbing books.

For rock climbing adventure stories, tales of mountaineering and alpinism, and even the latest on physical and mental training, look no further. Pick up any of the following great reads for yourself or the climbing-lover in your life and prepare to be inspired.

 

ADVENTURE STORIES

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

A Youth Wasted Climbing: Canadian climber David Chaundy-Smart recounts stories as a deviant youth in pursuit of rock climbing. Pick up this book if you’re looking for a tale about the coming of age of a young climber in the 70’s and 80’s. Finalist in the 2015 Banff Mountain Book Competition.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Climbing out of Bed: A collection of 25 essays and short stories by Luke Mehall, publisher of the Climbing Zine, celebrating coming of age and the adventures that fuel a dirtbag climber lifestyle.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Jerry Moffatt: Revelations: The story of Jerry Moffatt’s rise to stardom in sport climbing, competition climbing, and bouldering through the 80s and 90s.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Kiss or Kill: Confessions of a Serial Climber: A collection of stories and essays by extreme alpinist Mark Twight. Writing style influenced by the punk that influenced him.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Learning to Fly: A Memoir of Hanging On and Letting Go: A memoir by Steph Davis on love and letting go. This book tells of the demise of her marriage with Dean Potter, her discovery of base jumping and living life to the limit, and finding love again.

 

 

 

80out the latest price on:
Amazon

Psychovertical: A gripping and entertaining read on how a lower-class kid overcomes his lack on self-confidence by climbing. The honest, intense, and humorous story of Kirkpatrick’s 12-day solo climb of the Reticent Wall on California’s El Capitan.

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Punk in the Gym: Stories from the Hollywood-looks climbing star of the 80s and 90s, Andy Pollitt. The book details his roller-coaster life from the UK to Australia, his accomplished climbs, his battles with drinking and depression, and his introduction of lycra to the American climbing scene.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Rock Jocks, Wall Rats, and Hang Dogs: John Long, a 1970s stonemaster, tells inspirational and historical climbing stories from the training grounds of Joshua Tree to the big walls of Yosemite National Park.

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Sherpa: The Memoir of Ang Tharkay: One of the only historical memoirs told from the perspective of a sherpa. The story of Ang Tharkay, born in 1908 and one of the most renowned Sherpas of early Himalayan exploration.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

The Bond: After disappearing from the climbing scene for 40 years, Simon McCartney emerges to recount his bold Alaskan first ascents of Mount Huntington’s north face and Denali’s southwest face with Jack Roberts.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Warnings Against Myself: Meditations on a Life in Climbing: A balance between first-hand tales of climbing ascents and a reflection on climbing itself, this book tells the adventure stories of a life dedicated to climbing.


 

 

INSPIRATION AND ADVENTURE

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Alone on the Wall: Autobiography of world-renowned free soloer, Alex Honnold. Alex recounts his personal life during his rise to fame and details several of his biggest climbing accomplishments.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Camp 4: Recollections of a Yosemite Rock Climber: Steve Roper lived in Yosemite’s Camp 4 during the Golden Age of rock climbing in the valley. Camp 4 tells the tales of the “misfits” who happened to be the top rock climbers in their era and how their presence in Yosemite changed the sport.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Climbing Free: My Life in the Vertical World: Lynn Hill is an inspirational and legendary woman of rock climbing. Climbing Free tells of Lynn’s famous first free ascent of the Nose in Yosemite, among other details of her climbing life.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Drawn: The Art of Ascent: A beautiful book about finding the balance between climbing, adventure and life. Jeremy Collins winds together stories of climbing, art, adventure, and family.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

High Infatuation: A Climber’s Guide to Love and Gravity: A collection of short stories and essays by Steph Davis, with themes of love, life, compassion, and friendship. Told through the lens of a life devoted to climbing.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

The Push: A Climber’s Journey of Endurance, Risk, and Going Beyond Limits: The inspiring, dramatic and personal memoir of Tommy Caldwell, one of the greatest rock climbers of all time and first free ascentionist of the Dawn Wall in Yosemite.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Women Who Dare: A profile of twenty of the most prominent and inspiring female climbers, each telling her own story.

 

 

 

 

EDUCATION AND REFERENCE

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Basic Rockcraft: A classic by rock master Royal Robbins from the 1970s. Techniques are in some instances outdated for modern rock climbing, but this book remains a classic for any climber’s library.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Better Bouldering: Covering bouldering techniques, injury prevention, and training tips comes this full-color-photo reference rendered from the 35+ year bouldering career of John Sherman himself.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Climb! The history of rock climbing in Colorado: A 25 year anniversary re-issue of the 1970s cult classic “Climb! Rock Climbing in Colorado“ , this book adds 50% more content while preserving the good of the original.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Climbing in North America: A history of the people, routes, peaks and adventures that make up climbing in the USA and Canada from the 1970s onwards.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Climbing: From Gym to Rock: Backed by the AMGA, this pocket-sized reference book can help any gym climber with their transition towards climbing in the great outdoors.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

 

Knots for Climbers: Climbers depend on knots for their safety lifelines, systems, and general convenience. This book provides step by step photographed knot-tying instructions on all the knots you will need in climbing.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Mountaineering: A best-selling instructional book with more than 40 contributing authors that covers everything from basic rope management and rappelling to evaluating avalanche terrain and developing leadership techniques. Includes hundreds of technical illustrations.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

One Move Too Many: Full color edition that examines all injuries common to rock climbers, from belayer’s neck to ruptured pulleys. Includes practical tips on how to prevent injuries, and how to recover quickly afterwards.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Self-Rescue: Knowing how to maneuver safely when unexpected circumstances arise can be a life saver. This instructional guide covers everything from rappelling with an injured climber to self-rescue to effective risk assessment and more.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

The Trad Climber’s Bible: A full color instructional guide on everything there is to know about traditional climbing, written by two of the world’s most respected trad climbers: John Long and Peter Croft.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Training for the New Alpinism: Training and advice from two world-class alpinists, this book is designed to help you coach yourself to any mountaineering goal.


 

 

MENTAL TRAINING

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

The Rock Warrior’s Way: Detailed and comprehensive insight into the importance of mental training for climbing, with easy-to-follow tips and training exercises. A must read for anyone looking to overcome mental obstacles and up their climbing game.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Espresso Lessons: A follow-up to the fantastic mental training reference, A Rock Warrior’s Way. This book teaches climbers how to gather information and assess risks with practical exercises that build on the previous book’s material.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Peak Performance: A book that can be applied to any aspect of life, Peak Performance teaches climbers how to avoid burn-out while revealing the science behind long lasting performance. Includes inspirational interviews with a variety of top performers from a range of disciplines.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Vertical Mind: Practical drills and step by step exercises drawn from the latest research in brain science and psychology. This book will help climbers train their minds to achieve higher levels of rock climbing performance.


 

 

TRAINING FOR CLIMBING

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Conditioning for Climbers: Written by coach and trainer Eric Horst, this book takes climbers of any ability through the process of goal setting, body conditioning, antagonist muscle work, climbing-specific techniques, and designing a training plan.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Gimme Kraft: A German training guide providing modern, sophisticated exercises for a strong, balanced, and well-rounded climber body, with a focus on long-term performance goals. Includes training interviews with several professional climbers.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

How to Climb 5.12: One of Eric Horst’s most popular training manuals, this book is for intermediate climbers eager to boost their performance. Horst provides a wealth of physical and mental training tips to dispel the myth that climbing 5.12 is a lofty goal and make it attainable for anyone willing to put in the effort.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

The Rock Climber’s Training Manual: One of the best physical training manuals out there with programs for boulderers, sport climbers, and traditional climbers, tailored for all levels of climbing expertise.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

The Self-Coached Climber: A full-color training manual with comprehensive instruction of 52 training exercises. Covers everything from the basics of gripping holds to developing customized training plans.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Training for Climbing: New third edition of an international best seller, this comprehensive rock climbing training manual draws on all the latest climbing research to help you push your climbing to the next level.


 

 

MOUNTAINEERING AND ALPINISM

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Above the Reich: The story of a young alpinist from Munich in the 1930s and his desire to make the best of a world in seeming disarray.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Beyond the Mountain: Stories by acclaimed alpinist Steve House on “suffering well”, fast and light alpinism, and hard lessons of the mountains.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Conquistadors of the Useless: One of the greatest adventure books of all time, written by one of the greatest alpinists of all time, Lionel Terray. The book tells stories of ascents in Alps, Alaska, the Andes, and the Himalayas in partnership with many other history-making mountaineers.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Eiger Dreams: A collection of stories of multiple mountain climbers and a multitude of ascents from a man who has a vast experience in the mountains himself.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Everest: The West Ridge: Originally published in 1968, this book tells the story of Tom Hornbein and Willi Unsoeld’s 1963 first ascent of the dangerous and forbidding West Ridge of Mount Everest.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Into Thin Air: Jon Krakauer’s National Bestseller is a personal account of the heart-wrenching tragedy that claimed five lives on Mount Everest in May 1996.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Starlight and Storm: First published in 1954, this story by Gaston Rebuffat tells tales of climbing camaraderie in the Alps and one’s harmonious communion with the mountain.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

The Calling: A Life Rocked by Mountains: Adventure memoir by Barry Blanchard on growing up in the punk era of climbing. Alpinism stories of his ascents from the Canadian Rockies to the French Alps, Peru to Pakistan and more.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

The White Spider: The spell-binding tale of the 1930s first ascent of the north face of the Swiss Eiger.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Touching the Void:A story of perseverance, friendship, struggle and the ultimate close encounter with death following a climbing accident at the summit of a 21,000 foot peak in the Andes.

The post 49 of the Best Climbing Books of All Time appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> 26 of the Best Mountain Climbing Movies of All Time https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/best-mountain-climbing-movies/ Fri, 25 Aug 2017 02:04:09 +0000 https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/?p=47274 For those times when you’re not in the mood for unwinding with a book but are still looking for a dose of adventurous inspiration with a side of popcorn, a mountaineering film is the solution! Travel to the summit of Mount Everest, scale the North Face of the Eiger, and stand atop the peak of […]

The post 26 of the Best Mountain Climbing Movies of All Time appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> For those times when you’re not in the mood for unwinding with a book but are still looking for a dose of adventurous inspiration with a side of popcorn, a mountaineering film is the solution! Travel to the summit of Mount Everest, scale the North Face of the Eiger, and stand atop the peak of K2 with our selection of the best mountain climbing movies.

From documentaries to cheesy action flicks, we at The Adventure Junkies have got you covered. Boost your knowledge of alpine climbing expeditions and prepare to laugh, cry and be terrified with this award-winning list. Even if you’re not into the life-and-death plight of climbers in the mountains, the breathtaking scenery in these films will have you coming back for more.

 

DOCUMENTARIES

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

180 Degrees South: A multi-generational film featuring Yvon Chouinard. Jeff Johnson attempts to retrace Chouinard and Doug Tompkin’s 1968 journey to Patagonia. Johnson endures ship-wreck but completes the journey to find his heroes, who are now on a mission to protect both the environment and the climbing they love. Excellent documentary on wilderness ethics.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Blindsight: The story of six blind Tibetan teens on their courageous attempt to climb the 23,000 ft Lhakpa Ri in the Himalayas. Enjoy breathtaking Himalayan scenery as you join the teenagers on their inspiring and difficult three-week journey.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Cold: After 16 different failed expeditions, COLD tells of the 2011 first ascent of one of Pakistan’s 8000 m peaks. Footage recorded on the expedition itself tells the story in this 19 minute film.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Everest: A 45 minute documentary that includes footage captured during the 1996 Everest disaster, as prepared for IMAX on the big screen. Documents the character of the mountain and the tragedy it can deliver.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

K2: Siren of the Himalayas: A group of climbers team up to climb K2 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the Duke of Abruzzi’s expedition. The film also explores the history and geography of the Karakoram Mountain Range. Themes include adventure, personal risk, and exploration in an age when most of our planet has been explored.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Meru: The story of three prominent alpinists of our era and their big wall attempt to climb the Shark’s Fin on Mount Meru, a 21,000 ft peak in Northern India.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Messner: The story of Reinhold Messner, one of the greatest mountain climbers of modern time, and his introspective look upon his life in search of self-knowledge through adventure.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

The Alps: Story of a man who embarks to climb the North Face of the Eiger after it claims his father’s life. Breathtaking scenery of the Alps. True life story of unstoppable courage. Filmed for IMAX.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

The Conquest of Everest: Award-winning British documentary on the Hillary and Tensing push for Everest, the tallest peak on earth. Features the entire trek from base camp to summit. Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

The Summit: After 18 reached the summit of K2 in 2008, 11 were dead only 48 hours later. Interviews with survivors of the trip are combined with raw footage from the trip to tell the tale of catastrophe and lives lost.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest: Conrad Anker discovers the body of George Mallory in Everest’s ‘death zone’ in 1999, 75 years after his 1924 disappearance. Mallory had been attempting to be the first to top the world’s highest peak. The Wildest Dream tells the interwoven story of Anker’s life with Mallory’s as he aims to unveil the mystery surrounding his death.


 

 

ACTION FLICKS

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

A Lonely Place to Die: A group of climbers find a lost and starving 8-year old girl in the mountains and decide to rescue her. They unknowingly end up intertwining themselves in an elaborate kidnapping ploy.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Cliffhanger: A Sylvester Stallone film that was one of the most fun action movies of the 90s, with memorable one-liners and great climbing footage. Edge-of-your-seat action, complete with damsels in distress, falling in to traps, and millions of dollars on the line.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

The Eiger Sanction: One of the strangest Clint Eastwood films you’ll ever see. Eastwood plays a college lecturer, top assassin and mountaineer whose next assignment is on the Eiger in the Swiss Alps.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

The Mountain: The chilling story of one man’s attempt to rob the dead upon learning of a plane crash in the Alps. Accompanied by his mountaineering brother, this is a touching and humane story on the battle of good versus evil.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Vertical Limit: A retired mountain climber races against time to save his estranged sister and her team who have become trapped on their expedition to climb K2. Despite mixed reviews on this box-office success, it is a pulpy action must-see for cultural reference.


 

 

DOCUDRAMAS

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Beyond the Edge: The story of the first ascent of Mount Everest, the highest mountain on earth, by Hillary and Norgay in 1953. Original footage and photographs from the expedition intertwined with dramatized reenactments. Best viewed in 3D.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Touching the Void: True story of two climbing friends, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, on a 1985 expedition in the Peruvian Andes. When an accident occurs on their descent and a severe storm hits, the men are faced with the hardest decisions of their lives. The tale of the greatest survival challenges they would ever experience.

 

 

 

 

FEATURE NARRATIVES

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Alive: Profoundly moving true-life story about human resilience. Survivors of a plane crash are forced to survive in the Andes mountains with minimal gear to live and only their survival-spirit to drive them.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Everest: Based on the 1996 true-story of the Mt Everest disaster, with excellent cinematography. Die-hard mountaineers may notice omissions in the true story and some scenes filmed elsewhere. Best viewed in 3D.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

K2: Loosely based on the story of the 1978 first ascent of K2, the second highest mountain on earth. An adventure stricken with all sorts of obstacles, complete with some of the best climbing scenes you will get.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Nanga Parbat: German film about brothers Reinhold and Günther Messner and their 1970 ascent of Nanga Parbat in Pakistan. Tragically, the younger brother, Günther, dies on their descent. The film is Reinhold’s retelling of their life and the truth of what happened on the expedition.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

North Face: Historical fiction film based on the 1936 true-story attempt by two German mountaineers to climb the North Face of the Eiger in the Alps. The story tells of the accident and perilous conditions that fall upon them. Gripping with breath-taking cinematography.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

 

The White Tower: Alpinist Carla Alten assembles a team to climb The White Tower in the Swiss Alps to fulfill the dream that claimed her father’s life. The team are a mismatched bunch that discover the true nature of themselves as they work towards their arduous first ascent.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

Third Man on the Mountain: A Disney film based on a true story that tells the tale of a young boy as he attempts to climb the Citadel: the mountain that killed his father. A fine adventure film with excellent cast and stunning scenery shot on location in Switzerland.

 

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

The Beckoning Silence: Joe Simpson’s retelling of one of mountaineering’s greatest tragedy stories: the disaster that struck Toni Kurz and party on the North Face of the Eiger in 1936. The film tells of Kurz’s battle with survival while exploring WHY climbers voluntarily bring themselves so close to death.

The post 26 of the Best Mountain Climbing Movies of All Time appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> A Beginner’s Guide To Rock Climbing Terms https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/rock-climbing-terms/ Thu, 01 Jun 2017 15:00:22 +0000 https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/?p=42676 Have your friends taken you rock climbing but you found yourself lost in what seemed like a completely different language? Climbers use a lot of jargon to describe their sport, talk about their projects, rant about conditions and discuss beta. We understand it can be really hard to keep up with all the rock climbing […]

The post A Beginner’s Guide To Rock Climbing Terms appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> Have your friends taken you rock climbing but you found yourself lost in what seemed like a completely different language? Climbers use a lot of jargon to describe their sport, talk about their projects, rant about conditions and discuss beta. We understand it can be really hard to keep up with all the rock climbing terms around you.

Fortunately, we at The Adventure Junkies are here to add some clarity to the confusing array of words swirling in your head. In this article, we define the things climbers say so that you too can confuse your coworkers with phrases like, “The beta was nails and I greased off the spoogy holds.”

Rock climbers talk in their own language. In their world, there is jargon for everything. To speak like a rock climber, you need a large database of terms and a lot of practice using them. Spend time with other climbers in the gym and outside, especially veteran climbers, to glean the local dialect.

The following list of over 200 terms is not exhaustive, but it will certainly get you started. Not every term is exclusive to climbing, but all are used by climbers. Be aware that several terms can be used as both verbs and nouns.

 

ROCK CLIMBING TERMS

Abseil – See Rappel. A term commonly used in Europe and Australia.

Aid Climbing – Ascending a wall by pulling on fixed or temporary pieces of gear rather than climbing under your own weight.

Anchor – A point of attachment for a climbing rope. Sport routes often have bolted anchors, but gear, slings or the rope itself must often be used to construct an anchor.

Ape Index – The distance from fingertip to fingertip with arms outstretched. Climbers measure their ape index in + and – inch increments in comparison to their height.

Approach – The hike required to reach a climbing destination.

Arête – Two planes of a rock that intersect to make an outside corner.

Back Clip – An error made by a lead climber where they thread their rope through a quickdraw backward, increasing the chance of the quickdraw unclipping in the event of a fall.

Back-Up – Refers to any system which has a back-up in place, adding redundancy. An obvious example is two anchor points at the top of a route, one providing back-up to the other.

Bare Down – To hold on and pull really hard on a hold. Example: “Bare down on that crimp!”

Barn Door – To swing away from the wall in an off balance fashion.

Beached Whale – Awkward belly-first top outs that involve a lot of thrutching and poor mantelling form.

Belay – To take up the slack through a belay device (top-rope belay) or feed slack through a belay device (lead belay) for a climber.

Belayer – The person who handles the rope through a belay device on the ground when their partner is route climbing.

Beta – Information or instructions on how to do a climb. “Micro Beta” describes very specific details about how to climb the problem or route.

Beta Map – A visualization tool, where the beta for a route or boulder problem is sketched out on paper.

Beta-Mime – When climbers act out entire sequences on a climb at the base of a route or problem.

Biff – An unexpected fall from anywhere on a climb.

Big Wall – A long multi-pitch route that typically takes multiple days to complete.

Bight – A small bend or fold in a length of rope.

Bivouac – Sleeping without a tent, for example in a bivy sac or on a big wall.

Body Belay – Friction-dependent belay technique for which the rope passes around the belayer’s body. Outdated and only used in emergencies.

Boinking – A technique used by lead climbers to get back on the wall after falling on a steep route. Involves grabbing the climber’s end of the rope above the tie-in point, thrusting hips as high as possible, and then letting go. The belayer drops, and the climber is closer to their last draw.

Bolts – Can be expansion or glue-in. Once in the rock, hangers are attached creating “permanent” protection for sport climbs.

Bombproof/Bomber – A very, very good hold, or a very secure piece of gear.

Booty – Abandoned gear that an incoming climbing party discovers. Often trad gear that was left on the route.

Boulder Problem – A short climb on a boulder with a series of hard moves. The term “problem” alludes to the need to solve the moves or sequence.

Bouldering – Climbing a sequence of condensed, hard moves on a small(ish) rock referred to as a boulder. Boulder problems are protected by crash pads and spotters. Problems are usually topped out.

Brake Hand – The belayer’s hand that protects the climber in the event of belay device fail. A belayer’s brake hand should never leave the rope.

Burl – To muscle through a climb.

Butt Dragger – An extreme lowball boulder problem, often a traverse.

Camming – To rotate into place and wedge until tight. Can refer to equipment or body parts.

Chimney – A constriction that is large enough for the entire body to move through. Chimneys are climbed using opposing force between feet and body.

Chipping – When someone manufactures a route or boulder problem by creating or enhancing holds. Chipping  is generally considered as bad form  and should always be avoided.

Chockstone – A rock that is tightly wedged into a crack or constriction.

Choss/Chossy/Chosspile – Bad rock. Often brittle, manky, crumbly, wet, or otherwise awful.

Clean – To climb something bottom to top with no falls or takes. Also refers to preparing the rock to be suitable for climbing on a new route or boulder problem.

Climber – In general, a person who engages in some form of climbing. Some people choose to identify themselves more specifically. Here are examples: Ice Climber, Gym Climber and Sport Climber.

Climbing – An activity that involves ascending rock, plastic, ice, or snow, usually under the force of one’s own body.

Come On! – A phrase frequently yelled by belayers, spotters, and bystanders when someone is trying hard on the route.

Comps – Competition events. Comp climbers spend most of their time climbing indoors preparing for comps on the circuit such as World Cup Events.

Core Shot – When the sheath of your climbing rope bursts open to reveal the core strands.

Crag – A climbing area, often a small cliff.

Crank – To pull really hard on a hold. Similar to Yard.

Crater – See Deck.

Crimp – A small hold or edge. Also describes the hand position climbers often use to grab a small hold or edge.

Crozzly – A hold that is uncomfortable to hold on to, aka toothy.

Crush – To send a route in phenomenal style, or to try really hard when sending. “Crush It” is used to encourage climbers to send a route or boulder problem.

Crusher – A person who climbs really well and strong. A more intense version is “Bonecrusher”.

Crux – The hardest moves on a route or boulder problem.

Cruxing – When a climber is struggling in the hardest moves on a route or boulder problem. Example: “He’s cruxing out!”

Dab – When any body part of a climber touches the ground/pad/hard object/spotter/etc while they are bouldering.

Deck – When a lead climber takes a ground fall.

Deep Water Soloing – Soloing (no partner or protection) above deep water. In the event of a fall or when finished the route, the climber drops into the water.

Developer – A person who invest time, energy, money and labor into creating new routes for climbers to enjoy.

Dihedral – Two planes of a rock that intersect to make an inside corner.

Directional – Protection placed on a route to prevent a top rope climber from taking a huge swing in the event of a fall on steep terrain or a traverse.

Dirt Me – Phrase used by rope climbers to ask their belayer to lower them back to earth.

Dirtbag – A climber who lives out of their vehicle on the road and climbs as much as possible while spending as little money as possible.

Dirty – Refers to a route or boulder that has not been cleaned by natural elements or humans to be suitable for climbing. Can also refer to dirty, loose rock, moss, lichen, vegetation, etc that is found on route.

Drag – Excess friction created in a system when the rope is zigzagging through protection or running over features.

Dry Fire – When one hand blows off a hold when pulling hard. Often results in one-hand-clapping, and knuckle bashing into the rock or wall.

Dynamic – Rope used by climbers that elongates under the force of a fall. Also used to describe movement in which climbers use momentum to get from one hold to another.

Eliminate – A boulder problem that restricts the use of certain holds on the wall.

Elvis Leg – When a climber is nervous, afraid, or fatigued on the wall and one leg begins to shake uncontrollably.

Ethics – Rules that climbers abide by. Ethics are often specific to different regions and passed down through mentors in the community.

Eurostyle – Language of comp climbers. Refers to boulder problems in a gym that are set using large volumes and involve trickery such as running starts and dynos.

Exposure – Airy positioning where the climber is high up and surrounded by space. Often experienced on multi-pitch routes, routes that extend above cliffs/ravines, and arêtes.

FA – First Ascent of a route or boulder problem.

FFA – First Free Ascent: Term applied to routes that were first sent using aid climbing techniques. Also stands for First Female Ascent: Refers to the first female to send a route or boulder problem.

Flail – When limbs seem to have a mind of their own when climbing. Usually sloppy or poor form.

Flake – A thin piece of rock that is separated from the main wall. Flakes often make for very positive holds, but can also be hollow and chossy.

Flapper – Large skin flap ripped off of the hand when falling off a hold.

Flared – A crack with non-parallel sides.

Flash – To climb a route or boulder problem with no falls on your first try, with some previous beta (knowledge/information) of the route.

Flash Pumped – When your arms get so pumped on the first route of the day that you are essentially out of luck for the rest of the day. Often resulting from a poor choice of warm-up.

Float – To climb a route or boulder problem with what appears to be very little effort. Opposite of Thrutch.

Follow – On multi-pitch climbs, the second climber who follows the leader up the route.

Font Scale – Bouldering grade scale used internationally. Developed prior to the V-scale, but never popularized in North America.

Free Climbing – Refers to any type of moves executed under the climbers’ own power to gain upward progress.

Free Soloing – Refers to climbing routes alone and without the use of any equipment or ropes.

Gardening – When a climber excavates dirt/moss/lichen/vegetation from a hold.

Get Purchase – To grab a hold or press into a foot and be able to use it to the climber’s advantage. Example: “It was hard to get purchase off that sloper”.

Gluing – Reinforcing holds that may break or have broken. Typically should not be done without permission of the First Ascentionist. Opposite of Chipping.

Gobies – Cuts and gouges in the back of a climber’s hands resulting from crack climbing.

Grades – Term used by climbers to describe the difficulty of whatever they are climbing. There are multiple grade scales used in climbing.

Greasing Off – Slipping off a hold due to it being warm or greasy with chalk, sweat, or humidity.

Gripped – To be paralyzed by fear.

Grovel – An execution of bad climbing form that still gets you to the top of a rock climb.

Gumby – A newbie climber who doesn’t really know what they’re doing.

Gym – Indoor climbing facility.

Gym Rat – A person who only climbs in a climbing gym and is there all the time.

Hangdog – Resting on the rope multiple times on lead. This term can be used in a variety of ways. Examples: “dogging” your way up or doing a move “off the dog.”

Hanging Belay – When the belayer is anchored into the wall and suspended in their harness while belaying.

Hard Catch – When a belayer does not leave a lead climber enough slack, resulting in the climber slamming into the wall in the event of a fall.

Have It – Phrase used to encourage climbers to get after it and try hard.

High Ball – In bouldering, a very tall boulder problem that often involves a no fall zone.

High Point – When attempting to redpoint a route, the high point refers to the highest point on the wall that the climber reached before falling.

Honnolding – Standing on a ledge face-out from the wall. True “honnolding” is without a rope.

Hueco – A large hole in the rock.

Janky – Describes a sketchy anchor.

Jug – A very positive hold which can usually be grabbed with the entire hand.

KiloNewton – A measure of force used in climbing. One kN is equal to 224.8 lbs.

Lead – When a climber heads up a route carrying the rope with them while the belayer feeds slack. The rope is clipped into protection while the climber ascends.

Low Ball – In bouldering, a very short boulder problem, often where all the hand holds can be touched from standing on the ground.

Low Point – When attempting to redpoint a route, the low point refers to the lowest point on the wall from which the climber climbed clean (no falls) to the anchor. Alternatively, the term can also be used to describe the lowest point on the route where the climber fell after leaving the ground.

Lurpy – Similar to Thrutch, but somewhat more wobbly.

Make Quick Work – To figure out the moves/beta on a route or boulder problem and send quickly.

Manky – When a route or particular holds are wet or soggy.

Multi-pitch – Routes that ascend tall walls beyond the reach of a single rope length. Multiple pitches on top of each other.

Nails – Term describes something that is very hard. Also used for things that are both hard and good.

Numbing Out – When your fingers get numb from climbing in the cold. Does not necessarily result in the screaming barfies.

Off-width – Refers to a crack that is too large for fists but too small to chimney.

One Hang – When attempting to redpoint a route, the one-hang refers to when you climb the route bottom to top with a single fall.

Onsight – To climb a route (on lead) on your first try with no falls, having no previous beta (knowledge) of the route. Not usually applied to boulder problems.

Overhanging – When a rock face is steeper than vertical. Often synonymous with “steep”.

Pad – Used in describing the anatomy of the finger. The first pad (also called the tip) is crucial in climbing. Climbers often use the pad a measure of hold depth. Example: Half-pad edge, quarter-pad crimp. “Pad” is also short for crashpad.

Pebble Wrestling – See Bouldering.

Permadraw – A quickdraw permanently left on a route, composed usually of a steel cable and biners, screw-locked to a bolt. Often located in high-traffic sport climbing areas with steep routes.

Pinkpoint – Climbing a route with no takes or falls, on pre-placed gear. Applies mostly to trad climbing, the term is out of fashion in sport climbing.

Pitch – A single rope length. Single pitch routes are usually half the length of a single rope.

Placement – A space in the rock into which traditional gear can fit.

Pocket – A round hole in the rock into which you can usually insert between one and four fingers but not typically the whole hand.

Positive – Usually refers to a very good hold.

Project – A route or boulder problem that a climber is working the moves on to try to send.

Projecting – The process of working the moves on a route or boulder problem, usually over days, months, or even years.

Protection – Anything used to secure the rope to a rock, snow or ice and prevent a climber from taking a dangerously large fall.

Psyched – To be very excited/stoked/amped.

Psyched Out – To be scared or afraid to commit or try something.

Pumped – A build-up of lactic acid in the forearms that leads to pain, tightness and an inability to engage the hand effectively.

Pumpy – A route or boulder or sequence of moves that is sure to make the climber pumped.

Punt – A fall (or repeated falls) off a route in the home stretch or easy sections.

Pure – A term used to describe a very beautiful, clean line.

Rack – The gear that a climber uses to protect their climb.

Rapid Fire – To repeatedly attempt something without adequate rests or breaks.

Rappel – Technique used to descend a rope.

Redpoint – To climb a route or boulder problem with no falls after having tried it at least once before.

Redpoint Crux – Not the actual crux of the route, but a mini crux where there is a probability of falling on redpoint. The redpoint crux typically comes sometime after the true crux.

Rest Day – A term used by climbers to define a day that they do not spend climbing.

Resting – Refers to a location on the route where you are able to get a stance and shake out your arms. Also used to describe the breaks between attempts on routes or boulder problems.

Retire – To remove from use a piece of climbing gear due to age or damage.

Rig – Slang for Route. Example: “Come on, send this rig!”

Roof – A very steep overhanging section of rock, often approaching horizontal.

Rope Soloing – Climbing without a partner but with the use of ropes and equipment.

Route – A sequence of moves up a rock face that is typically climbed with a rope, equipment, and belayer.

Running Beta – Information about the climb that is delivered to the climber while they are in the midst of climbing.

Run-out – Long distance between protection on a route, either bolts on a sport climb or gear on a trad climb.

Sandbag – A route or boulder problem that is on the hard end of a given grade, stiff. A “sandbagger” might tell someone that a climb is much easier than it actually is, thus “sandbagging” them.

Screamer – Long fall on a rope, often followed by screaming; see Wobbler. A Screamer is also a piece of equipment used for aid climbing.

Screaming Barfies – When a climber’s hands become so numb from climbing in the cold, that the blood returning to the fingers after climbing is incredibly painful to the point where you scream and feel like you will throw up. More common when ice climbing.

Second – The climber who is belayed from the top to follow a leader up on a multi-pitch pitch.

Send – To climb a route or boulder problem from bottom to top with no falls or takes.

Send Beer – What many climbers drink to celebrate finishing off a project.

Send Train – An occurrence where one climber sends a route or problem and several other climbers proceed to send it in sequence, thus creating a “send train”. The first climber to fall derails the send train.

Sending Temps – When conditions are perfect for sending. Usually cold, with fairly low humidity.

Sewing Machine Leg – See Elvis Leg.

Shaking Out – What climbers do when they get to a rest mid-route. Refers to relieving some of the “pump” in the forearms. See Resting.

Sharp End – The end of the rope that a lead climber ties into.

Shock Load – When a sudden force is applied to a static system.

Short-rope – When a belayer does not feed their lead climber enough slack, forcing them to have to pull up hard on the rope. Typically occurs when clipping as a result of an inattentive belayer.

Shut Down/Smack Down – To fail profusely.

Sidepull – A climbing hold that is oriented vertically, allowing the climbing to lean their body weight away from it.

Simul-climbing – When two people connected by a rope, with at least some gear between them, are climbing simultaneously. Common on fast ascents of multi-pitches and big walls.

Slab – Low angle climbing, often with few holds and requiring friction technique.

Slack – Extra loose rope in a climbing system, between the belayer and the climber.

Sloper – Usually a large rounded or flat hold that a climber cannot crimp on or insert their hand into.

Smedge – Smear edge.

Soft – When a route or boulder problem climbs slightly easier than the given grade.

Soft Catch – When a belayer gives a lead climber the perfect amount of slack (and sometimes a small jump), resulting in the climber having a comfortable and cushioned fall onto the rope.

Soloing – Climbing without a partner.

Speed Climbing – In competition climbing, refers to a timed ascent of a standard route. Outdoors, speed climbing usually refers to climbing big walls very quickly. [link: speed ascents of the nose]

Spit Off – To fall off a boulder problem or route. Used in the context of the climb throwing the climber off.

Split Tip – A slice in the first pad of the finger, usually resulting from grabbing a very sharp hold.

Splitter – A parallel sided crack.

Spock Hold – A hold that the climber grabs with their hand in the shape of the Vulcan salute.

Spoogy – Refers to an almost wet, chalk-caked hold. See Manky. Can also describe soggy tips after too many burns on a climb.

Sporty – Long distance between bolts on a sport route, see Run-out.

Spotter – A person who helps redirect a boulderer to their pad in the event of a fall.

Spray – To provide extensive beta, often when unsolicited. Climbers also spray about themselves, by bragging about their accomplishments through posting videos, pictures, links to 8a scorecards, etc.

Spray Lord – A person who is constantly spraying.

Sproggle Hold – A hold that splits the fingers into several mini pockets or divets.

Static – Minimal movement or stretch. Also refers to climbing slow and in control without the use of momentum. Opposite of Dynamic.

Stiff – When a route or boulder problem climbs slightly harder than the given grade.

Technical – Refers to climbing routes or problems that demand good technique. Often with small holds and precision footwork. Technical routes are usually near vertical.

Thrutch – An off-balance movement that doesn’t really feel good. Used to describe somewhat poor form in getting from one hold to another. Opposite of Float.

Thumbdercling – An undercling that you can only hold with a thumb to get purchase.

Tips – Fingertips.

Topo – An overview “map” that shows location, general line, and information about climbing routes.

Top-out – On a boulder problem, the final moves that involve mounting the boulder to stand on top.

Top-rope – Climbing when the rope is already running through an anchor at the top of the route.

Traditional – Refers to climbing requiring cams and nuts as protection. Traditional routes are rarely face climbs and often crack climbs. Traditional climbing predates sport climbing.

Try Hard – Used as a noun to describe whether effort was used. For example: “I brought all my try hard today.”

Undercling – A climbing hold in which the positive direction is oriented downwards, forcing the climber to pull upwards on the hold to get purchase.

V-scale – Also known as the Hueco Scale. Bouldering grade scale invented by John Sherman, with difficulties ranging from V0-V17.

Walk – To climb a problem or route effortlessly in perfect style. See Float.

Weekend Warrior – A person who works a Monday to Friday job and can only get outside to climb at the local crag on weekends.

Whipper – A very large fall taken on lead.

Wired – Very well-memorized and/or practiced beta and moves.

Wobbler – Tantrum or fit thrown by a climber after taking a long fall. Often off a project or when seemingly close on an onsight/flash attempt.

Woody – Home climbing wall.

Wrecked – When unable to climb anymore due to extreme fatigue and exhaustion.

Yard – To pull down really hard on a hold during a climbing move

Yardsale – A lot of back-to-back yarding on holds. Also refers to gear strewn all over the crag.

Yosemite Decimal System – The route grading system used in North America.

Z-Clip – An error made by the lead climber when they draw up slack to clip from beneath their last piece of protection.

Zipper – When pieces of protection sequentially pull out of the rock when a lead climber falls.

The post A Beginner’s Guide To Rock Climbing Terms appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> A Beginners Guide To Rock Climbing Knots https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/rock-climbing-knots/ Thu, 20 Apr 2017 02:38:03 +0000 https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/?p=40956 There is little in climbing as important as rock climbing knots. They are, after all, what keeps you tied to the rope, which ensures you stay alive if you fall, and gives you the confidence to venture off into the vertical. But there are so many different types of knots – how are you supposed […]

The post A Beginners Guide To Rock Climbing Knots appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> There is little in climbing as important as rock climbing knots. They are, after all, what keeps you tied to the rope, which ensures you stay alive if you fall, and gives you the confidence to venture off into the vertical.

But there are so many different types of knots – how are you supposed to know which ones are the most useful, and in what type of situation? Which knot is best for sport climbing, traditional climbing, building a belay of traditional gear, or simply for tethering yourself into a safety point? Here at The Adventure Junkies, we try to take the complicated, and make it easy for you to understand. This article will look at essential rock climbing knots, their strengths and weaknesses, and when to use which knot.

TYING-IN KNOTS

The tying-in knot is the most important knot you will use, as it is the knot that threads the leg and waist loops of your harness and connects you to the climbing rope.

It is the climber’s responsibility to tie the knots correctly, ensure they are well-dressed, with no strands crossing each other, and that each knot, where appropriate, is backed up, or has a sufficient tail. Always test the knot by pulling on the rope in the appropriate direction and seeing if it locks off, and always double-check your knots, and those of your partner.

 

FIGURE-8

The figure-8 is the go-to knot for many climbers. It is safe, strong, and easy to tell if it has been tied correctly. It is important to back up the knot with at least six inches of tail, or an overhand stopper knot.

The only drawback is that it can become stubbornly tight if you take a bunch of falls on it, making it very difficult to untie.

 

VIDEO: HOW TO TIE A FIGURE-8 KNOT

 

DOUBLE BOWLINE

This knot’s strength is also its weakness: it is easily loosened. For this reason, many climbers use a double bowline instead of a figure-8, especially when sport climbing, when you might be taking many large falls while projecting a route. It is almost always easy to untie afterwards, and is only slightly weaker than the figure-8 knot.

But beware – the double bowline has also been known to come loose, if not properly backed up, with serious consequences. It is extremely important to back up the knot with an overhand stopper knot.

 

VIDEO: HOW TO TIE A DOUBLE BOWLINE

 

TYING TWO ROPES TOGETHER

Climbers commonly tie ropes together to rappel twice the distance they can with a single rope. Indeed, many multi-pitch climbs are equipped only for double rope-rappels.

 

DOUBLE FISHERMANS

This is the strongest knot you can use to tie two ropes or pieces of cord together. It also is very difficult to untie after it has been weighted, which makes it a popular choice for tying two ends of cord together to make a prusik, which is a useful loop of cord featured lower in this article.

 

EDK

The European Death Knot, or flat overhand, has a demonized name that is undeserved. It is quicker to tie and untie than a double fishermans, is less likely to get snagged in a crack while pulling it, and is very safe if dressed correctly, with at least a foot of tail on each rope. It can also be effective to tie together ropes of different diameter.

It has been known to roll under heavy loads, which can suck the rope-tails through the knot, but testing has shown that with a foot of tail, the rope will break before the knot rolls (under a weight of about 2000 pounds – far greater than any force generated by a simple rappel).

Make sure the knot is well dressed, with no crossing of the strands, is aggressively tightened, and has sufficient tail on each strand. It can also be backed up by tying a second EDK right next to the first, though many climbers consider this unnecessary, because a single EDK is more than strong enough, and a second EDK will make the rope more likely to get caught on something when trying to pull it down.

 

HITCHES

A hitch is a knot used to attach a rope to a fixed object.

 

GIRTH HITCH

A girth hitch is a super easy way to attach a sling to a harness or carabiner. It is commonly used to attach a PAS (Personal Anchor System) to your harness, which can then be used to clip yourself safely into a set of climbing anchors. It can also be used to sling trees for anchors, or horns of rock while traditional climbing.

Keep an eye on your girth-hitched sling, though. If it has been used for a long time, it can wear and will need to be replaced.

 

CLOVE HITCH

This another super easy way to attach a rope to a fixed point, and is also commonly used to anchor yourself into a safety point, simply by pulling out a length of climbing rope from your harness, and clove-hitching it to a locking carabiner on the master point of an anchor. It is also popular when you are using your climbing rope to build a traditional gear anchor system at the top of a pitch, because you can simply tie a clove hitch into two of the gear placements, and then equalize all the points with an overhand knot with a bight.

It has the advantage of being easy to untie, even after being weighted, and being easy to lengthen or shorten. You can also tie it with one hand.

Clove hitches can slip under a massive amount of force, but it is very safe for the kinds of forces it is commonly used for, such as holding body weight.

 

MUNTER/ITALIAN HITCH

Dropped your belay or rappel device? The munter hitch has saved this situation many times. It is a hitch that only allows the rope to pass in one direction, as long as you’re holding the rope on the other side of the hitch, as you would with your brake hand while belaying. You can also tie this knot with one hand.

The munter is bi-directional, meaning it can allow either end of the rope to pass through, simply using your brake hand on the other side of the rope. If you switch directions, the munter will first flip through the carabiner before the brake will be effective.

By attaching a munter hitch to the anchor via a locking carabiner, you can safely belay a climber seconding the pitch. You can also attach the carabiner to your harness and belay a lead climber from the ground.

If you need to rappel, you can also clip a locking carabiner to your harness and pass both strands of the rope through the carabiner in a double-stranded munter, and use this to rappel down.

Using a munter hitch, however, should only be reserved for emergencies, as it is hard on the rope and often leaves it twisted and kinked.

 

ALPINE BUTTERFLY

The butterfly is commonly used in the middle of a rope, as it maintains its shape regardless of which direction it is being pulled in. It is favored in situations where multiple climbers are all tied into the same rope, meaning that there is a climber at each end of the rope, and all other climbers are tied in to the middle of the rope with alpine butterflies, such as while crossing a crevasse-filled glacier.

 

 

PRUSIK

A prusik is a piece of cord that climbers use to wrap around the rope and then attach to their harnesses with a carabiner. When weighted, the prusik bites into the rope and stops the climber from moving up or down the rope. There are a few ways to tie a prusik, but this is the simplest way.

It is commonly used as a back-up safety device while rappelling. After setting up the prusik and attaching it to your harness, you should keep the prusik fairly lose on the rope as you descend (you can have the prusik slightly tight, which will create some friction and slow your descent, too). If you lose control or something unforeseen happens, such as rockfall, that causes you to let go of the rope, the prusik will automatically come tight on the rope and catch you. It is also useful if the rope becomes caught in a crack and you need both hands to free it.

You will need to loosen the prusik’s grip on the rope, usually by pulling up and sitting higher on the rope on your belay/rappel device, before you can continue descending.

It is easy and quick to tie and untie, and also has many other more advanced uses, including building pulley systems for a rope rescue, or using two prusiks to ascend a rope, which can get you out of a tight spot.

The post A Beginners Guide To Rock Climbing Knots appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> A Beginners Guide To Sport Climbing Anchors https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/sport-climbing-anchors/ Mon, 13 Feb 2017 02:34:58 +0000 https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/?p=38593 So you’re hooked on sport climbing and love the feeling of flying up bolted faces on immaculate rock. But the top of sport climbing routes can be confusing, and making a mistake can be fatal. How do you set up the right sport climbing anchors for a safe top-rope? And, how do you clean the […]

The post A Beginners Guide To Sport Climbing Anchors appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> So you’re hooked on sport climbing and love the feeling of flying up bolted faces on immaculate rock. But the top of sport climbing routes can be confusing, and making a mistake can be fatal. How do you set up the right sport climbing anchors for a safe top-rope? And, how do you clean the gear off the anchor afterwards?

You often have to be comfortable untying the rope from your harness in order to clean sport climbs – a daunting, even terrifying, prospect. One of our big goals here at The Adventure Junkies is to turn the complicated, and potentially dangerous, into a task much safer and easier. In this post, we will walk you through setting up and taking down sport climbing anchors.

 

WHAT IS A SPORT CLIMB?

A sport climb is a bolted rock route, where a series of safety bolts are drilled into the rock every few meters. As you climb up, you use a quickdraw to attach the rope to each bolt, clipping the top carabiner into the bolt, and the rope through the lower carabiner. This is what will catch you in the event of a fall.

 

WHAT IS AN ANCHOR?

At the top of every sport climb is an anchor. It is almost always two points of safety, whether it be two bolts, or two chains hanging from bolts, or two rings attached to bolts in the rock.

When you get to the top of a sport climb, you clip the top carabiner of a quickdraw into each anchor point, and then clip the rope through the lower carabiners of each quickdraw. Make sure the quickdraws face opposite directions to ensure the rope cannot become unclipped from both of them. (This is why you always bring at least two more quickdraws than the number of bolts on the route: one for each bolt, and two for the anchor.)

Once the rope is safely clipped through opposing quickdraws on the anchor, the belayer can safely lower you to the ground. The route is now equipped for other climbers to enjoy, with a quickdraw on every bolt, and two at the anchor.

 

TOP-ROPE ANCHORS

Top-rope climbing is one of the safest forms of climbing, where the rope runs from the belayer to the anchor at the top of the route, and then back down to the climber. If the climber falls, a tight belay means that the fall will be kept to a minimum – often only a small amount of rope stretch.

There are several ways to set up a top-rope anchor but never thread the rope directly through the chains or rings on the anchor points for top-roping. This is considered poor practice as it will wear down the anchor points and eventually render them unsafe to use.

 

QUICKDRAWS ON THE ANCHOR POINTS

The easiest top-rope anchor is to have the rope run through the lower carabiners of opposing quickdraws that are clipped to each of the two anchor points. This is the set-up that climbers usually establish once they get to the top of a route.

 

AN EQUALIZED MASTER POINT

While opposing quickdraws are commonly used and perfectly safe, you can also set up an anchor system that is equalized, meaning that the weight of the climber is evenly distributed on both anchor points.

You’ll need a double-length sling/runner or cordelette, and four carabiners. Clip a carabiner onto each of the two anchor points and clip the sling through both carabiners. Grab all four strands of the sling and pull them down towards the direction of where the climber is. This means that if the climber falls, the master point will be in the best place to absorb the force of the fall on both anchor points.

The sling should now be in a ‘V’ shape. Now you’re ready to create a master point. There are two easy ways to do this.

 

SLIDING-X

Take one side of the sling and flip it once to create a sliding-x. Clip your remaining two carabiners through the sliding-x and then clip the rope through both carabiners. Make sure the carabiners are facing opposite directions. The advantage of this method is that the master point self-equalises, regardless of the direction of pull on the anchor. The disadvantage is, in the unlikely event of an anchor point failing, the sling will lengthen and shock-load the other anchor point. See this video on how to build a sliding-x.

 

PRE-EQUALIZED

Tie all four strands of the sling together in an overhand knot or a figure 8 knot on a bight. This pre-equalizes the anchor and makes each anchor point independent of the other. Clip your two remaining carabiners, facing opposite directions, into the bight, and then clip the rope into the carabiners.

While the master point may not always be perfectly equalized as the climber moves around, it will still be mostly equalized. The big advantage of a pre-equalized anchor is that if one anchor point fails for some reason, the other will not be shock-loaded. See this video on how to build a pre-equalized anchor.

 

CHECK HAZARDS

When building a top-rope anchor, you want to avoid any potential hazards. Make sure the sling or the rope doesn’t run over a rough, sharp edge, which could damage or even cut the sling or the rope. You also want the carabiners to hang cleanly. If a carabiner is running over an edge, then a fall could bend the carabiner and compromise strength, potentially causing it to snap.

Check that the anchor bolts are tight, and if not, tighten them. Check your carabiners for sharp edges that could cut the rope. Make sure all hardware – bolts, chains, carabiners – is relatively free of rust and is not too worn; sometimes the metal can be almost entirely worn through.

It is not unsafe to use non-locking carabiners but is safer to use locking ones. If you’re using locking carabiners, make sure they are all locked.

 

CLEANING THE ANCHOR

There are several methods to clean the anchor of a sport climb, but this post is going to outline the most common.

When you get to the top of a sport climb and want to clean the quickdraws or the master point, the first thing you have to do is secure yourself into the anchor. There are a number of ways to do this, but they all involve using a sling, quickdraws, or a Personal Anchor System (PAS) to clip from the waist and leg loops of your harness to the anchor.

Make sure to be always backed up. Use two locking carabiners to clip a different loop of your PAS to each anchor point. Test your PAS by calling “SLACK” to your belayer and putting your weight on the PAS, making sure that it comes tight.

Once you are secured into the anchor, call “SECURE” to your belayer to indicate that you are safely attached to the anchor and ready to clean the gear. You now need to rethread the rope through the anchor points.

Before untying the rope from your harness, you may want to secure the rope so that you don’t accidentally drop it, which would leave you at the top of a climb with no rope to get down. Most climbers do this by pulling up a few meters of slack, and then clove-hitching the rope to a quickdraw on their harness.

When you’re certain that you’re secure, untie the rope from your harness, thread it through both rings or bottom chain links of the two anchor points and then re-tie the rope back through the waist and leg loops of your harness – as if you were about to start climbing again.

Except for your PAS, you can now clean any gear – including quickdraws, slings, and carabiners – from the anchor points. Also, release the rope that you clove-hitched to your harness.

When you’re ready to be lowered, call “TAKE” to your belayer. The rope should come tight through the anchor points. You can test it by taking some weight off of the PAS and seeing if the rope takes your weight.

Only when you’re absolutely positive that your belayer is holding your weight, clean your PAS and remaining carabiners from the anchor and call “READY TO LOWER”, so your belayer can lower you. You should leave the anchor as you found it – with two points of safety and no other gear.

(Sometimes there will be sharp edges on the route, and lowering off from the anchor will put the rope at risk of being cut. If this is the case, you will want to rappel down after you have cleaned the anchor. Make sure you and your belayer know how you are going to descend a climb before you start; many accidents have happened from misunderstandings between climber and belayer, mainly when the belayer took the climber off belay, believing that the climber was going to rappel.)

 

CLEANING THE QUICKDRAWS FROM THE ROUTE

If you need to clean the quickdraws off the bolts on the sport climb, you may want to clip a quickdraw to the belay loop of your harness, and clip the quickdraw’s other carabiner to the side of the rope that is running through the other quickdraws. This will keep you close to the line of bolts as you are lowered, so you can reach them more easily.

Remember to unclip the quickdraw from the rope before you remove the final quickdraw (the one closest to the ground). If you don’t, you could potentially pull your belayer off balance as you clean the last quickdraw.

Once back on the ground, pull the rope down from the anchor, and move on to your next route.

The post A Beginners Guide To Sport Climbing Anchors appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> How To Get Into Climbing – FAQ https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/how-to-get-into-climbing/ Wed, 08 Feb 2017 12:17:18 +0000 https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/?p=38536 So you’ve heard all the hype and want to try your hand at climbing. Maybe your friends are hitting the local crag each weekend? Maybe you saw the 60 Minutes Alex Honnold Special back in 2012? Maybe there’s a new gym opening five minutes from you? Don’t let your burning questions about climbing hold you […]

The post How To Get Into Climbing – FAQ appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> So you’ve heard all the hype and want to try your hand at climbing. Maybe your friends are hitting the local crag each weekend? Maybe you saw the 60 Minutes Alex Honnold Special back in 2012? Maybe there’s a new gym opening five minutes from you? Don’t let your burning questions about climbing hold you back!

We at The Adventure Junkies are ready to answer your most frequently asked questions about how to get into climbing, debunk the myths, and get you on the rock sooner. There’s no need to hesitate and keep wondering if climbing is right for you – the only way to find out is to give it a try.

 

GENERAL QUESTIONS

IS ROCK CLIMBING ONLY FOR YOUNG, FIT PEOPLE?

Absolutely not! Rock climbing is an inclusive sport that is very accessible, particularly with the rise of climbing gyms over the past 20 years. Indoor gyms provide spaces where people in all stages of life can experience the thrill of climbing.

Several climbing gyms offer specific programs for youth-at-risk, community groups, or women’s gatherings. I have worked with women into their eighties and people with all body types. Climbing is for everyone.

 

DO I NEED TO HAVE A STRONG UPPER BODY TO CLIMB?

A strong upper body is not a necessity for climbing. Climbing technique is far more important than brute strength. Learning fundamental climbing skills can lead to significant improvements in new climbers and builds a great base upon which to progress. Learning how to climb efficiently is key.

Eventually, climbers with great technique will need to make strength gains if they wish to climb more difficult routes. In this case, upper body strength will become more important.

 

I DON’T LIVE NEAR A CLIMBING DESTINATION, CAN I STILL CLIMB?

You can get into climbing just about anywhere thanks to the growing popularity of climbing gyms. You can learn a lot about climbing in indoor gyms, and save the outdoor destinations for climbing trips. Fortunately there are outdoor climbing spots spanning the country. Some, like Red Rock Canyon just outside of Las Vegas, can be quite inexpensive to get to.

If there is no climbing gym in your town but you are still super keen, you could build your own bouldering wall. Many people build home walls to supplement their climbing training, but they can also be a great way to start a community in towns with no gyms. This is often how bouldering co-ops get started.

 

NONE OF MY FRIENDS ARE OUTDOORSY, HOW CAN I FIND CLIMBING PARTNERS?

Climbing gyms often host adult teams or groups in addition to their youth programs. Inquire at your local gym to see if there is a program available. Many gyms also have meet-up sheets that you can add your name to, or ride-share programs for carpooling to local climbing spots. Don’t be afraid to be friendly and chat people up in the gym too – it can be a great way to make friends.

Another way to meet climbing partners is to attend an outdoor workshop, clinic, or climbing festival. A few suggestions include the Flash Foxy Women’s Climbing Festival, the Red Rock Rendezvous, or Rocktoberfest in the Red River Gorge.

Facebook and other social media outlets can be great ways to find groups of people who might also be looking for partners.

 

I HAVE A FEAR OF HEIGHTS, DOES THIS MEAN CLIMBING ISN’T RIGHT FOR ME?

If you have a fear of heights there are many options for you. One possibility is to try bouldering, which involves climbing short problems without a rope and then either jumping or down climbing to a mat beneath you.

If you are psyched on route climbing though, there are a few ways to work through fear of heights. The first is addressing whether or not fear of heights is the true root of the fear. Perhaps it is actually fear of falling, or fear of the unknown? Another strategy is to really learn and be comfortable with the equipment you are using so that you can truly trust your gear. Lastly, try learning from different mental training resources, like the Rock Warrior’s Way, for exercises, suggestions, and new ways of thinking.

 

I DON’T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY, WHAT ARE THE COSTS I CAN EXPECT?

Unfortunately climbing can have some financial barriers. Some gear, like chalk bags and climbing shoes, can be safe to purchase second hand, but it is best to buy any safety equipment new as you can never be sure of its history.

If you want to climb inside but are worried about the high costs of modern gyms, there are a few options. Check around your town to see if there are any not-for-profit facilities, gyms in community centers, or climbing co-ops as these are often less expensive. Alternatively, bigger gyms often offer discount rates in non-peak hours or have special rates for students. If money is a very serious set-back, ask about volunteer opportunities such as belaying for kids groups in exchange for free drop-in passes.

Most outdoor climbing spots are free, so gear is primary the financial burden. Bouldering is the lowest cost because all you really need are shoes and chalk. Sport climbing requires more gear, and trad climbers need more gear still. We also recommend investing in an AMGA-certified guide when you first climb outside.

 

CLIMBING SAFETY AND GEAR

IS ROCK CLIMBING SAFE?

Rock climbing is a dangerous sport; however it is possible to substantially reduce the risks in climbing. It is critical to learn how to use all equipment to the manufacturer’s standards. Learning basic technique so that you can climb in control also minimizes risk. Most of the “safety” in a climbing situation is the responsibility of the climber – usually dangerous situations are the result of human error.

 

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO STAY SAFE WHEN CLIMBING?

First and foremost you need to understand the risks associated with climbing and the personal safety measures required.

When route climbing you need to know proper belay technique and rope management. As a lead climber, knowing how to clip quickdraws correctly and maintain good fall lines are essential. Clear and effective communication between partners is critical. Of course, a deep understanding of how to use the necessary equipment and inspect it for wear is important.

As a boulderer you must know how to fall safely. Good spotting technique is also very important. If you’re climbing outside, learn good pad placement and how to assess dangerous fall zones.

No matter where you are climbing or in what discipline, inspect fixed gear for extensive wear, carefully consider hazards in the area including weather and conditions, and listen to your body to prevent injuries.

 

WHAT GEAR DO I NEED TO ROCK CLIMB?

The gear you will need for rock climbing depends on the type of climbing you want to do. If you’re climbing indoors you’ll have the option to rent gear, but eventually purchasing your own equipment is definitely worth it. The basics include climbing shoes and chalk, but if you’ll be climbing routes you will also need a harness, belay device, and possibly your own rope.

If you’re bouldering outside you may want to add a crash pad or two to your gear closet.

Sport climbers will need quickdraws, personal anchor systems, and a top-anchor set-up.

Traditional climbers will want additional anchor sets, extendable quickdraws, cams and nuts.

Even more gear is required for multipitch climbing, alpine climbing and ice climbing. We recommend learning the specific gear required for whichever discipline you are most interested in.

 

WHERE CAN I FIND ADVICE ABOUT BUYING GEAR?

Local climbing shops or your local climbing gym are great places to seek advice about climbing gear. There are a lot of overwhelming options to search through out there, so seeking guidance from knowledgeable experts is a great place to start.

Browsing online can also be really helpful. Here at The Adventure Junkies we offer gear reviews and guides. Here are a few of our gear articles to get you started.

Climbing Helmets

Climbing Harness

Climbing Shoes

Quickdraws For Rock Climbing

Climbing Chalk

Camming Devices

Climbing Ropes

 

CLIMBING OUTDOORS

I’VE CLIMBED FOR A MONTH IN THE GYM, AM I READY TO GO OUTSIDE?

We strongly recommend against heading outdoors unless you have knowledgeable and responsible mentors accompanying you. When climbing outside there is much more to consider when managing risk. If you do not have access to mentors in the community, we recommend hiring an AMGA-certified guide to get you started outside.

 

HOW CAN I BE A GOOD STEWARD AT THE CRAG?

Climbers take pride in their crag ethics. Be respectful of other climbers, the rock you are climbing on, and the land around it. Take turns on routes or boulders, be mindful of others waiting, avoid spraying beta, brush your tick marks, and don’t be obnoxious. Pack out whatever you pack in, stay on trails and off of sensitive areas, and know the bathroom procedures for the ecosystem you’re climbing in.

 

HOW CAN I SUPPORT CLIMBING IN AMERICA?

We suggest joining the Access Fund. Your membership fee goes towards protecting the access and integrity of the land that climbers enjoy, and is a fantastic way to join the greater community.

 

CLIMBING PROGRESSION

I WANT TO GET BETTER AT CLIMBING, WHERE SHOULD I START?

The first step is to climb a lot. Observe those around you to learn how they approach a route or problem, use their feet, and move their bodies. Consider taking a technique lesson. If you’re climbing outdoors, climb in as many areas and on as many rock types as possible. Push yourself.

Consider adopting a training plan. There are a lot of great books out there that can help you progress as well, such as How to Climb 5.12.

 

I AM FEMALE, ARE THERE WOMEN-SPECIFIC SPACES WHERE I CAN GROW AS A CLIMBER?

The climbing community as a whole has come a long way in supporting women in the sport. Still, there can be advantages to climbing solely with other women, in terms of support, understanding, and climbing style.

Many gyms offer women-specific clubs and programs. There are also several festivals and clinics popping up around the country, like the Flash Foxy Women’s climbing festival, the Moab Women’s Clinic, and workshops through Chicks with Picks, to name a few.

 

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT CLIMBING?

You can learn about climbing in AMGA courses, classes offered in climbing gyms, and through community mentors. Online there are an abundance of resources as well. Climbing magazines offer tips for improvement, motivating stories, and up to date news on who’s doing what in the community. If you work a desk job, climbing podcasts can also be a great resource for furthering your climbing education.

The post How To Get Into Climbing – FAQ appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> A Beginner’s Guide To Types Of Climbing https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/types-of-climbing/ Thu, 19 Jan 2017 08:17:38 +0000 https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/?p=38085 Rock climbing is a sport with a wide range of sub-disciplines. Feeling over your head trying to get everything straight? There is a lot to unpack here, so we’ve broken down the types of climbing to help your confusion melt away. You will now be able to confidently respond to the barrage of questions from […]

The post A Beginner’s Guide To Types Of Climbing appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> Rock climbing is a sport with a wide range of sub-disciplines. Feeling over your head trying to get everything straight? There is a lot to unpack here, so we’ve broken down the types of climbing to help your confusion melt away.

You will now be able to confidently respond to the barrage of questions from your curious co-worker and worried mother: Do you free climb? How do you get up there? Are there hooks on the wall? Aren’t you afraid of falling? What’s the point of aid climbing?

This guide to climbing types offers an overview the different styles to make the muddiness a little clearer. Remember though that there are overlaps and nuances among what we’ve described – if there’s a style of interest to you, there are an abundance of resources out there to help you learn more about it. Also, remember that rock climbing is a dangerous sport and our overview is not a substitute for appropriate training.

 

GYM CLIMBING

The popularity of gym climbing has been growing at an exponential rate over the past 20 years. Most folks nowadays are introduced to climbing through gyms. For many of people, the climbing gym represents the entirety of their climbing world.

 

BOULDERING

Bouldering is a great way to get into rock climbing indoors – all you need are climbing shoes and chalk. Boulderers climb pre-set routes known as “problems” that ascend short walls. A problem is usually completed once the climber has matched hands in a controlled manner on a designated finish hold. The padded floors in climbing gyms are designed to absorb the impact of falls effectively once climbers learn how to fall safely.

 

TOP ROPE CLIMBING

Top rope climbing is perfect for building endurance, learning rope skills, and honing techniques before progressing to potentially riskier disciplines of the sport.

For top roping, the rope that you tie into is already running through an anchor at the top of the route. As the climber moves up the wall, the belayer takes up slack through a belay device. Because the rope is through a top anchor, fall distances tend to be small.

 

LEAD CLIMBING

In lead climbing, the rope and the climber begin together at the base of the route. The climber ties into their rope, colloquially referred to as the “sharp end”, and then ascends the wall clipping their rope into quickdraws as they go while their belayer feeds them slack from below.

Lead climbers must climb some distance above a quickdraw to reach the next, which leads to falls that can be quite large. However, slack in the system and dynamic elongation of climbing ropes, coupled with an adept belayer, soften lead climbing falls and reduce impact to the climber.

 

COMPETITION STYLE

The rise in popularity of indoor climbing gyms and climbing competitions has led to a growth in competition-style routes and problems. In bouldering and lead climbing, competition style lends itself to dynamic, gymnastic moves and sequences that require strong puzzle-solving skills. Problems are often set using volumes (large, angular, removable features) that force competitors to maneuver over variable terrain.

The third branch of competition climbing is speed climbing. A single speed climbing route is set and regulated to be identical at all facilities that offer it, allowing athletes across the globe to train on an even playing field. Bouldering, lead, and speed competition climbing are regulated by the International Federation of Sport Climbing.

 

 

FREE CLIMBING

Free climbing refers to any type of moves executed under the climbers’ own power to gain upward progress. Free climbers often use ropes and gear to top rope or lead climb but these are not explicitly required.

 

OUTDOOR BOULDERING

Bouldering is a branch of climbing that is centered purely on movement.

While only climbing shoes and chalk are necessary, most people use crash pads to absorb the impact of a fall. Boulderers mitigate the risk of climbing without a rope by placing their crash pads in expected fall zones, and using spotters. When climbing outdoors, sending a boulder problem typically requires that the climber mount the boulder, known as “topping out”, after following the specified path.

Bouldering lends itself to powerful climbing by nature of the shorter problems and condensed set of moves. Boulderers tend to execute more difficult moves than climbers in other disciplines. In North America, the difficulty of boulder problems are rated on a V-scale, where V0 is the easiest, and V16 is the confirmed hardest in the world.

 

SPORT CLIMBING

Sport climbing is the closest outdoor relative to roped climbing in a gym. Sport climbing routes can be extremely variable, from low-angle slabs, to technical vertical lines, to overhanging gymnastic-type routes. Sport routes are established and bolted by route developers, who add permanent bolts into the rock face on which climbers can hang their quickdraws to clip their rope into.

In North America, sport climbing routes are graded using the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) for 5th class rock climbing where technical gear is recommended. A 5.7 is an example of a less difficult route, compared with a 5.13a which is a much more challenging. It’s important to remember that climbing grades are highly subjective.

 

TRADITIONAL CLIMBING

Traditional, or “trad”, climbing was the primary form of free climbing before the rise in popularity of bolted sport routes. Trad climbing routes are established in natural weaknesses in the rock and protected by traditional gear (ie. cams and nuts). Trad climbers place their gear on lead and then clean their gear off the rock when they are finished. You may find bolted anchors or the occasional bolt-protected-crux on a trad route, but bolts are typically rare.

Often trad climbs follow vertical crack systems in the rock. In these situations, trad climbers use crack techniques like hand and foot jams to climb the crack.

Trad climbing routes are graded using the YDS.

 

MULTI-PITCH CLIMBING

Multi-pitch routes ascend tall walls beyond the reach of a single rope length. Multipitch routes can be bolted or can require traditional gear. It’s crucial to always read route topos to ensure you have located the correct route, have brought the appropriate gear, and have a descent plan. Multi-pitch routes can often be rappelled, but sometimes climbers can hike down off the route.

There are many ways to arrange partnership on multi-pitch routes, for example climbing partners might swap leads between belay stations. One partner will lead the first pitch being belayed from the bottom, and then upon reaching the anchor they will top-belay their partner up to meet them. The person who just followed the route will then begin leading the second pitch, and the swapping pattern continues.

Multi-pitch routes are also graded using the YDS.

 

ICE CLIMBING

Ice climbing allows adventure seekers to scale up frozen waterfalls. On vertical routes, climbers sink ice tools and crampons into the ice to ascend. Natural features and ice screws are used for protection on lead, but lead climbing on ice can be potentially more dangerous than on rock. Although some of the movement principles of rock climbing carry over, ice climbing is a very different beast. Ice climbs are graded using the WI scale based on the steepness of the ice and range in difficulty from WI1 to WI6.

Ice routes can sometimes present a mixture of ice and rock. In this case, climbers use dry tooling techniques, where they place their ice tools into cracks and crevices in the rock in order to climb up.

 

FREE SOLOING

Free soloing is the highest consequence form of rock climbing. Free solo climbers climb routes that are usually free climbed with equipment, but without the use of ropes. In this way, free soloers are alone on the wall, only requiring their shoes and chalk.

A very small proportion of elite climbers engage in free solo climbing. Falls when free soloing are deadly, with only the odd exception.

 

AID CLIMBING

Aid climbers ascend a rock face by pulling on pieces of fixed or placed gear and stepping in aiders (ladders made of webbing loops) to assist them. Aid climbing was the original technique used to climb big vertical walls in the early 1900s, and remains popular for big wall climbing in places like Yosemite, California. Tools used in clean aid climbing include hooks, nuts and modern traditional gear like cams. Many relics from early fixed aid climbing days can still be found on classic routes in the form of pinscars or actual pitons that still remain.

 

BIG WALL CLIMBING

You may have overheard folks wondering “what is the point of aid climbing?” but it’s actually an extremely handy and necessary skill to ascend certain steep walls. Many big wall routes have very difficult moves, like the Nose on El Cap that goes free at 5.14- and has been climbed by few talented rock climbers. Aid climbing through the difficult sections makes a route like the Nose available to almost anyone.

Climbing a “big wall” is usually a multi-day event, which climbers often refer to as a little bit of climbing with a lot of workhorsing. Logistics for big wall climbing are complicated; climbers must bring a static line and haul bags to carry up their food, water and supplies, as well as portaledges for sleeping and overnight gear.

There has been a rise in popularity in climbers pushing the limits of free and aid big wall climbing. One way climbers are breaking new ground is in speed climbing: the current speed record on the nose is 2:23:46. Climbers are also at the leading edge of difficult big wall climbing. In 2015, Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgenson did the first free ascent of the Dawn Wall, the hardest big wall route in the world (which recently saw a second ascent by Adam Ondra, and in 2012 Alex Honnold free soloed El Capitan, Half Dome, and Mount Watkins in a single 24 hour push.

 

ALPINE CLIMBING

 Alpine climbing is one of the most adventurous and dangerous branches of climbing and is a sport for those who dream of climbing mountains. Alpine climbers often need to apply a range of techniques from other sub-disciplines of climbing like face and crack climbing, placing traditional gear, and ice climbing. Multipitching and aid climbing techniques can also prove to be useful.

In addition to the technical skills, alpine climbers excel at “suffering” – learning to cope with extreme conditions and minimal resources. Understanding and reading weather and snow patterns is very important. Perhaps more so than any other group of climbers, alpine climbers care about having the lightest gear possible as they must carry in everything they need.

Both free and aid skills are useful in alpine scenarios, and it is important to have all these tools in your repertoire before heading to the mountains.

The post A Beginner’s Guide To Types Of Climbing appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> 35 Awesome Rock Climbing Tips for Beginners https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/rock-climbing-tips-for-beginners/ Tue, 20 Dec 2016 19:48:17 +0000 https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/?p=36889 So you’ve finally tried your hand at rock climbing and it turns out you love it! The physical challenge, the social aspects, the problem solving, the feeling of defying gravity – you’ve been hooked by it all. Are you wondering how to get from first-time gumby to proficient expert as quickly as possible? That’s where […]

The post 35 Awesome Rock Climbing Tips for Beginners appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]> So you’ve finally tried your hand at rock climbing and it turns out you love it! The physical challenge, the social aspects, the problem solving, the feeling of defying gravity – you’ve been hooked by it all. Are you wondering how to get from first-time gumby to proficient expert as quickly as possible? That’s where we come in with our very best rock climbing tips for beginners.

Here at The Adventure Junkies we understand firsthand the addiction to rock climbing. We also know that improving at the sport is a lifelong pursuit. To help you with that mission, we’ve put together a list of tips to up your climbing game whether you’re brand new to the sport or have been at it for years.

 

TIPS ON GETTING STARTED ROCK CLIMBING

1. CLIMB WHENEVER YOU CAN. When you are starting out, there is no substitution for spending as much time as possible actually climbing. Climbing gyms are a great resource as they offer many routes spanning a wide range of difficulties and styles. Gyms are also a great place to pick up tips by observing others.

2. TAKE AN INTRO TO CLIMBING COURSE at your local climbing gym. Intro courses are especially vital if you will be doing any rope climbing. Instructors will teach you how to belay safely, how to tie a figure eight follow through knot and how to communicate effectively.

3. FIND A MENTOR in the community. With the rise in popularity of modern climbing gyms, rock climbing mentorship is becoming less common. If you can find a trusted expert in your community who is willing to mentor you, you can benefit immensely from his or her knowledge.

4. CONSIDER SETTING PERSONAL GOALS to help motivate you. These can be as simple as managing your fear of falling, learning a new technique, or pushing yourself into a new grade range. Ensure that your goals are SMART: Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Relevant. Timely.

5. START A CLIMBING JOURNAL to track your mental and physical progress. If you transition to climbing outdoors, consider joining an online track-your-climbing platform like 8a or Sendage. These sites are community spaces where people can share and view climbs they’ve completed and get psyched to try new things.

6. MAKE A LIST OF PLACES YOU WOULD LOVE TO CLIMB. Rock climbing trips can take you to some breathtaking corners of the world. A few Adventure Junkies suggestions include: Yosemite, California. Kalymnos, Greece. Rocklands, South Africa. Chiang Mai, Thailand. Blue Mountains, Australia.

 

TECHNIQUES TO BECOME A BETTER ROCK CLIMBER

7. CLIMBING IS MUCH MORE ABOUT TECHNIQUE THAN BRUTE STRENGTH. Any experienced climber will tell you that being a GOOD climber is key when you are just starting out. Learn good movement, careful footwork, balance, and body positioning before worrying about getting stronger.

8. LEARN HOW TO USE YOUR FEET EFFECTIVELY. Careful, intentional foot placements can increase the control you have over your climbing. Great climbing begins with great footwork – watch any expert and you’ll find their foot placements are always silent and deliberate. A great way to practice is by adding footwork drills into your warm up.

9. TRY TO KEEP YOUR ARMS STRAIGHT and make use of your skeletal advantage. Holding yourself up with bent arms (a lock-off position) is extremely tiring and will build up the lactic acid in your forearms, pumping you out in no time.

10. KEEP YOUR CENTER OF GRAVITY (COG) LOW, CLOSE TO THE WALL, AND ABOVE YOUR BASE OF SUPPORT. This will help you to use the big muscles in your legs more, dissuading you from pulling in too much with your arms. It will also make it easier to maintain stable balance while resting and while moving.

11. LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STATIC AND DYNAMIC CLIMBING. Static climbing is slow and controlled and most moves are essentially reversible. Dynamic climbing utilizes power and momentum, and is useful when you need to move your COG over larger distances before resuming stable balance. Dynamic moves are usually irreversible. Both static and dynamic climbing are useful movement strategies.

12. GET YOUR MENTAL GAME DIALED IN. The mental aspects of rock climbing are arguably as important as the physical aspects. Learn to focus and concentrate, deal with fears, accept failure, handle your ego, engage in positive self-talk, and more. The Rock Warrior’s Way is a fantastic resource with tons of applicable exercises.

 

ROCK CLIMBING BODY MAINTENANCE AND INJURY PREVENTION

13. It’s crucial to WARM UP BEFORE CLIMBING to help prevent injury. Your warm-up should include three stages: 1) light cardio to raise your heart rate and get blood flowing, 2) dynamic stretching, and 3) sport-specific warm-up, such as 30 minutes of easy bouldering.

14. DO CRITICAL OPPOSITION EXERCISES to take care of your body’s balance and composition. Climbers do a lot of pulling and tend to have overdeveloped lats and shoulders. The climber’s hunch is a very common posture seen in those who are not maintaining balance in their upper body. Some basic opposition exercises include push-ups, dips and shoulder presses. If you are prone to elbow pain, wrist opposition exercises are a great idea too.

15. WORK ON STRENGTHENING YOUR CORE. A six-pack may look good, but is not especially useful for your climbing. Focus on your lower front and back core that will help you keep your feet on the wall in steep terrain, and the small muscles that help with body tension.

16. MUSCLES DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN QUICKER THAN TENDONS DO. If you are discovering rock climbing as an adult, the tendons in your fingers are likely not very strong. Pace yourself on difficult problems and small crimp holds so as not to injure your fingers. Finger injuries are common in climbers and can set you back significantly.

17. ENGAGE YOUR SHOULDERS when you are climbing. By drawing your shoulders back and squeezing your scapula together, you force your shoulders into a healthy position for climbing and can reduce your chance of injury. Shoulder stability exercises are another great way to keep your shoulders functional and strong.

18. Split tips. Flappers. Cracked skin around your nails. Trad gobies. Whether you are climbing in the gym, jamming cracks, or bearing down on razor sharp edges outside, your hands will get trashed. DON’T LET BAD SKIN BE YOUR LIMITING FACTOR and instead try one of the many climber hand balms on the market. They really do help, trust us.

19. USE MASSAGE TOOLS like a theracane or foam roller to work out knots and tight spots. You might have sore muscles you didn’t even know you had, and your shoulders, lats, and forearms will surely feel worked after a good session. If a massage therapist is out of your budget, do what you can to work the knots out yourself.

20. SIGN UP FOR A YOGA-FOR-CLIMBERS CLASS. If you can’t find a climbing specific yoga class in your area, any yoga will still be beneficial. You can also check out YouTube channels like Fightmaster Yoga and Climber Yoga. Yoga can increase your flexibility, core strength, and your mental focus, all things that can go a long way on the rock wall.

 

TIPS FOR CHOOSING ROCK CLIMBING GEAR

21. As soon as you are hooked by climbing, CONSIDER BUYING YOUR OWN SHOES AND CHALK. Climbing shoes are critical for learning how to use your feet while climbing. These are the only two items you actually NEED to go bouldering, and they will give you independence for any other kind of climbing you wish to try as well.

22. ASK AT YOUR LOCAL CLIMBING GYM ABOUT SHOE DEMO NIGHTS. Product representatives for climbing shoe brands like Evolv, Five Ten, La Sportiva, and Scarpa often offer shoe demos at climbing gyms. Demos are a great way to test out different models first hand before you buy. Keep an eye out for shoe demos at climbing festivals as well.

23. LEARN AS MUCH ABOUT GEAR AS YOU CAN. Companies release information about all their latest innovations each year, and are a great resource if you really want to geek out. We at The Adventure Junkies also give tips for buying essential new climbing gear, like beginner shoes, harnesses and ropes.

 

HOW TO BROADEN YOUR ROCK CLIMBING KNOWLEDGE

24. BUY SUBSCRIPTIONS TO CLIMBING MAGAZINES, or if you’re a traveling dirtbag, read climbing magazines for free in climber run coffee shops and gear stores. The big three in the USA are Climbing Magazine, Rock and Ice, and Alpinist, and the Canadian Gripped Magazine is also awesome.

25. FOLLOW CLIMBERS THAT GET YOU PSYCHED ON INSTAGRAM. As the cliché goes, pictures are worth a thousand words, and there’s nothing like some sick climbing photos to get you inspired. The climbing community is very active on Instagram and overall super positive as well.

26. WATCH CLIMBING MOVIES. The Reel Rock film festival is a great place to start. Currently in their eleventh year, a new Reel Rock short film collection travels the world annually inspiring climbers and stoking the stoke.

27. LEARN YOUR CLIMBING JARGON. Ever walk into the climbing gym and feel like you’re listening to another language as climbers trade beta on their latest projects? Learn the terms and join the conversation.

28. If you have the unfortunate luck of sitting at a desk all day for work, TRY LISTENING TO CLIMBING PODCASTS. The pioneer rock climbing podcast is the Enormocast, and features candid face-to-face interviews and story-telling with climbers from around the world. Other great audio media includes Chalk Talk, TrainingBeta, and the Power Company Climbing podcast.

29. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ONSIGHTING, FLASHING, AND REDPOINTING A ROUTE. Each of these terms refer to climbing a route clean (no falls, takes, or pulling on gear). Onsight a route means you’ve sent it first try with no previous information at all. Flashing means you’ve sent it first try but either previewed the route or received beta (information) about it. Repointing means you’ve sent the route after already trying at least once.

 

MORE ROCK CLIMBING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

30. Many climbing gyms have adult teams, recreational teams, or women’s groups. Joining a team is a great way to MEET PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY and expand your skills on a regular basis.

31. ATTEND A LOCAL COMPETITION AS A COMPETITOR OR A SPECTATOR. Most competitions have a beginner or recreational division, and expose you to a ton of new problems with a bunch of really psyched people. Attending competitions as a spectator is also a great way to see some of the best climbers in the community give it their all.

32. If you are making progress with your technique but would like to excel even more, CONSIDER ADOPTING A BEGINNER TRAINING PLAN. Ask at your local gym to see if they offer training programs, or check out Training Beta for a ton of great online resources and plans.

33. Moving from indoor to outdoor climbing can be overwhelming and dangerous. Unless you have a super awesome and reliable mentor with a lot of experience, WE RECOMMEND HIRING A GUIDE FOR YOUR INITIAL TRANSITION TO REAL ROCK. Professional rock guides in the USA are certified by the American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA).

34. Climbers pride themselves in the respect they show for their crags. LEARN ABOUT THE CODE OF ETHICS THAT CLIMBERS ADHERE TO WHEN CLIMBING OUTDOORS. A few principles include leave no trace, wait your turn before climbing, don’t play loud music or be obnoxious, help with trail maintenance, brush your tick marks, avoid spraying beta, and respect route or area closures.

35. ATTEND CLIMBING FESTIVALS to immerse yourself in all aspects of climbing culture. At festivals you often have a chance to participate in crag clean-ups, attend sweet climbing workshops, listen to slideshows, meet climbing gear vendors, get free stuff, and make awesome connections. A few great festivals to get you started are the Red Rock Rendezvous, the Smith Rock Spring Thing, the Lander International Climbing Festival, the Red River Gorge Rocktoberfest, and the Women’s Climbing Festival in Bishop.

The post 35 Awesome Rock Climbing Tips for Beginners appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

]]>