Climbing equipment
Clambering over low-lying rocks as a kid is one thing and climbing up a steep rocky surface is an altogether different activity. The latter requires a lot of stamina, good skills and very important, high quality climbing equipment.
Queries to Ask Yourself before purchasing Climbing Equipment
Do I need the equipment for climbing a mountain or for rock climbing
Am I going climbing during the season of snow / ice
Will I be using the equipment for an indoor sports activity or for some serious outdoor climbing
Am I using climbing equipment for the first time
The answers to the above queries will determine what type of climbing equipment you will need.
Queries to Ask when purchasing Climbing Equipment
Is the equipment safe to use
Is the equipment easy to use
Is the equipment strong enough for your weight
Is the equipment comfortable for you
Is the equipment durable
Is the equipment covered by a warranty
The above queries are of course important. Equally more important to know: The best quality climbing equipment with high safety aspects will have accreditation from the International Climbing and Mountaineering Organisation, universally known by its acronym UIAA (Union Internationale des Associations dAlphinisme). This organisation, based in Bern, Switzerland, regulates the standards of safety for climbing equipment. [Reference: en.wikipedia.org]
Safety on the Head
A helmet is THE most important item of climbing equipment as it protects the most vulnerable part of your body- head. During climbing, there is always the danger of stones falling on your head. It is also dangerous if another climber above you drops a tool and it hits your head with great impact. When purchasing a helmet, dont just look for some fancy one with a decorative design on it or select one that is of your favorite color ! What you should ensure is that it does not wobble on your head but fits securely, and that the straps are also snugly fitting ones. A loose strap is really dangerous, as the helmet can topple off, especially if you suddenly find yourself hanging upside down from a rope. Also, it should not obscure your vision when climbing. Some helmets also have recessed headlamp clips. Helmets generally cost upwards of $60. You can also wear a fleece-lined skullcap ($20) while climbing during the winter season to keep your ears warm.
Safety at your Feet
Without a good sturdy pair of shoes, a climber cannot grip the surface of the rock or ice block. Foam padding in the heels of the shoes ensures that your feet are cushioned well and the outer rubberized layer of the shoes prevents friction. Shoes for indoor wall climbing will differ from those used for more serious outdoor climbing activities. Price range: less than $60 to over $100 or even more.
Your Lifelines while Climbing: Ropes & Webbing
A climbing rope is not merely a lengthy band of interwoven fibers. It is practically your lifeline, as the rope is what will likely save you if by chance you fall. Hence, it is important to get a rope that has a low impact force and is one that you can grip really well. It should be both light and strong. You can buy a 11mm single rope in the price range of $175 to $185. A double rope for use in Ice Climbing costs around $165 to $190. A static rope that is generally used as an anchor can cost over $110. Webbing (also known as runners) is an important partner for ropes. It is a nylon rope that will assist you to reduce the drag of your climbing rope by slinging it or looping it around, say, a stone or sturdy tree branch. Webbings should be abrasion resistant and have a high strength. A webbing can cost as little as $3 and go upwards of $10, depending on the type and brand.
Your Connection to the Rope: A Harness
Climbers can select amongst a wide variety of harnesses for climbing. One type is where you put your legs through loops and literally sit in the harness. Another type of harness is one that covers only your chest. For children and those who do climbing activities that involve carrying backpacks, there is a harness to cover the entire upper body. All harnesses generally have loops in the waist belt for the rope attachment and loops to hang relevant tools. Some harnesses have specially designed compression-molded padding. As with other climbing equipment, you should check the safety and comfort aspects there should be no strain on any part of your body while wearing the harness. A foam-padded harness with belay and haul loops could cost around $60. Harnesses designed to fit the contours of a woman s body cost around $45 to $65, while those designed for kids costs around $40. For climbing during the winter season, harnesses have padded panels and loops to help maintain circulation. The waist belt has special slots for your ice tools. This harness costs about $80.
Some Essential Tools for Climbing
Carabineers (or Biners): These essential tools are D-shaped steel or aluminum loops used to link two or more ropes and to secure a rope to its post. The curved part of the D shape has an opening at the centre; this opening is known as a gate, which can be bent or straight. The gate can have a locking mechanism, which is useful when securing the rope to its anchoring post. Those carabineers that do not have a locking mechanism are generally teamed up with another essential tool: a quickdraw. Carabineers cost about $7 to $9; locking ones cost about $1 to $2 more.
Quickdraws (or Draws): A quickdraw is a tool comprising of 2 biners with a flat rope between. This tool that can be used to secure your ropes to their anchors costs around $20.
Ascenders and Descenders : As their names imply, these tools are used to go up or down ropes that are fixed. Generally, a rock climber uses two ascenders, while an ice climber uses one. One type of descender is a device in the shape of the number 8. This device generally has an anodized surface and is fast and easy to use for ropes. It costs about $15.
Belay Tools: These tools play a vital part in every type of climbing activity they help the climber to control the belay rope easily and safely. Cost: less than $50 to over $80.
Picks for Ice Climbing: No ice climbing activity can be performed without these very essential tools. Picks come in a variety of designs and sizes, some with thin tips, other with broader tips and curved shafts, and yet others that have an interchangeable design to make it more versatile. The type you buy would depend on the type of ice pure ice, quick crumbling ice, thin layers or thick layers, and so on. You can choose between products that cost as little as $70 to ones costing over $260. Due to lack of space, only some of the essential climbing equipment has been mentioned. There are a whole lot of tools and devices (such as Hexcentrics), protective equipment (such as large foam pads to catch you when you fall), accessories (such as rope markers and chalk), and apparel items (such as gloves).
Remember: every item of your climbing equipment should be easy to handle and safe to use. It will enhance the enjoyment of your climbing activities, minus the worry.
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