Rock climbing has been around for centuries, but it took on the shape of a sport by the late 19th century. It’s safe to say that safety standards back then were far from optimum. You may have started climbing in the gym, got inspired by a movie, or it just became an interest out of nowhere. Nevertheless, it’s important to keep safety in mind when you’re practicing a sport that carries risks. There are crucial pieces of equipment that you should always keep with you, not to mention picking them after research. To make the job easier for you, we’ve picked out the most important items that you should get before going rock climbing.
Quickdraws
The last thing you should attempt is to climb a mountain or a huge rock without having some quickdraws on you. The majority of sport routes have bolts drilled into the rock coupled with 2 or 3 anchors at the top. The reason this is done is to allow the climbers to use quickdraws to protect their route and ensure their safety. Not all quickdraws are the same, but there are two main categories; 10-12 cm long and 15-18 cm long. Depending on the type of route you’re taking, both types of quickdraws have their own pros and cons. Short draws are lighter and easy to use on straight routes, while longer ones are good for cliffs and overarching routes.
Belay Glasses
Naturally, climbers have to look upwards when they are climbing. While this may sound simple enough, there are actually some problems that you’ll meet along the way; neck pain. You can’t expect your back and neck to be still for long durations and not injure yourself. The rock climbing enthusiast at https://gneissclimb.com/the-best-belay-glasses/ says belay glasses bend light and reflect it back to the user to help them see upwards without having to actually bend their necks. These glasses will save you from a lot of muscle strain and hassle once you get used to them.
Climbing Harness
Harnesses are designed to distribute body weight from one concentrated area into a more leveraged distribution on the entire body. Naturally, not all harnesses are the same as there are different designs that cater to different body characteristics and climbers’ preferences. Keep in mind that harnesses lean more toward minimalist designs since climbers are not supposed to cram them with gear to ensure their efficiency. When you’re choosing a harness, opt for ones that are light with features specifically designed for rock-climbing and not the gym.
Climbing Shoes
Without the right gear, your climbing journey would end before it ever sees the light. This applies to nearly everything if you don’t have the right footwear. While many pro climbers prefer wearing slippers, which can feel very uncomfortable when stepping on rocks, you are better off with something that is specially designated for climbing. Whether you are climbing in your local gym, or you are outside or on real rocks, choosing suitable climbing shoes and picking the right fit is essential. Climbing shoes vary in shapes and forms to tailor to different types of climbing. However, the most important factor to picking the right footwear is making sure that it does not fit too tight to avoid blisters and foot ache, nor too loose that you have to struggle with keeping the shoes on.
Hiking Poles
These are optional, but for beginners and those who want extra support, you will learn to love hiking poles as an essential part of your climbing gear. Leave looking like a 70-year-old senior climber aside, there are a few perks that hiking poles offer. For starters, they are the best tools that can help in keeping your sense of balance while you are on rough trails, narrow ridges, and steep terrain. Hiking poles can help with your stamina as they tend to reduce the amount of effort you have to exert. Taking the loads off your leg, your poles can offer you great help in making you less tired.
Navigation Equipment
People who have been lost or ended up wandering to some sketchy terrain can be spotted easily as they are always attesting to the importance of having bullet-proof navigation equipment in any climbers gathering. Having a map and compass is important. Even though they are less convenient to use, however, they can still come in handy as a last resort. A GPS allows you to see where you, the route you need to take to get to where you are going, and the duration required. It’s vital to avoid getting lost during rough and long climbs.
As you begin to get the hang of rock climbing, you’ll be able to constantly upgrade your equipment to meet your new needs and preferences. Make sure not to go on a rock climb without being completely prepared. Safety should be your priority, so always choose safety over anything else by getting the mentioned essential items.