Sport Climbing Guides
Climbing In Ecuador: Cojitambo and Columnas de Tangán
When climbers think of Ecuador, instinctually think of the snowy 5,000-meter volcanic peaks located in the Andes Mountain Range or cordillera. And for good reason– some of the earth’s most impressive peaks, including the closest point to the sun, are
General Knowledge
What is Sport Climbing?
Sport climbing is a style of free climbing whereby the lead climber clips quickdraws and their rope into permanently installed (fixed) protection bolts they ascend.
After arriving at the top of the climb, the leader clips their rope into bolted anchors and is either lowered off or abseils down.
In the event of a fall, a knowledgeable and adequate belayer, the bolted protection and the climbing rope, work together to arrest the leader’s fall before they can hit the ground.
More Climbing ...
Climbing In Ecuador: Cojitambo and Columnas de Tangán
When climbers think of Ecuador, instinctually think of the snowy 5,000-meter volcanic peaks located in the Andes Mountain Range or cordillera. And for good reason– some of the earth’s most impressive peaks, including the closest point to the sun, are
How to Break in Climbing Shoes
Climbing shoes are notorious for being uncomfortable out of the box. Luckily, most rock climbing shoes will quickly become more comfy after being broken in, but the degree to which this occurs varies widely, and is dependent on several factors,
5 Tips for Cleaning and Caring For Climbing Shoes
Sporting equipment is notorious for developing odors. For soccer players, shin guards are the culprit, and for hockey players, well, everything reeks. It’s the same for climbers—rock climbing shoes usually develop a smell over time and after copious trips to
Resoling Climbing Shoes: Is it worth all the hype?
Besides your fingertips (and other parts of your limbs if you’re in an off-width), your climbing shoes are the interface between you and the rock. The shoe itself supports your feet, while the sticky rubber in the sole helps you
A History of Rock Climbing: From a critical survival tactic to modern Olympic sport
For somebody like me, the history of rock climbing has always been intriguing. I enjoy understanding the historical roots of the sport I’ve centered my life around—everything from its ancient roots and hemp ropes to the impact of World War
The 17 Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Got Really into Climbing
When I began climbing 37 years ago, the only way in was through mentorship, climbing clubs, and how-to tomes like Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. (I still have my fourth edition, printed on parchment paper and delivered by horse-and-buggy….)
The Petzl Grigri: Usage Guide
When it comes to climber’s kits, their belay device is one of the most important pieces. Nowadays, there are about as many belay devices as there are crag dogs. But few devices command a presence at the crag like the
Our Comprehensive Guide to Choosing Climbing Shoes
Choosing a pair of rock climbing shoes is still an important process, and it’s likely the first purchase you’ll make as a beginner climber. Climbing shoes may not play a role safety in the same way ropes, helmets, and harnesses
What Are The Different Climbing Shoe Rubbers?
All climbers know that sneakers aren’t going to work for sending. The majority of us (besides a rare few barefoot climbers) opt for climbing shoes, so that the sticky rubber can help keep our feet on the rock. However, what
Let’s Talk About Edge Safety
In the guiding world, we talk a lot about a concept called “edge safety.” For first-timers, it may not be that hard to deduce what edge safety means based on its name. Edge safety is all about being safe around
Jakob Schubert: One of the World’s Best Climbers
When you’re considering the best climbers in the world, Jakob Schubert cannot be missed. This 33 year old professional climber from Austria has one of the most impressive climbing resumes ever seen. Schubert focuses on both lead climbing and bouldering,
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Rock Climbing Gym?
At some point in our climbing careers we’ve all dreamed of opening our own rock climbing gym. Maybe it was just a passing thought, or maybe we seriously started crunching some numbers. Some of us even followed through! (A couple
Climbing Technique Toolbox: How to Climb Slopers
“Sloper” is a term that rock climbers use to refer to rounded holds. In contrast to a crimp, an edge, or a jug, a sloper doesn’t usually have a specific spot to grab. They tend to be large holds; think
Leading Trad: 13 Lead Climbing Strategies I Coach My Clients
In my work as a climbing guide, I frequently offer introduction courses for leading trad. The following article is a short and snappy synopsis of some of the strategies I teach my clients. These strategies are just an introduction and
How Dangerous is Rock Climbing?
If you’ve just started climbing, you might perceive it as an extremely dangerous activity. Although there are of course some inherent dangers and accidents do happen, rock climbing might not be as risky as you would think. There are many
Sport Climbing Guides
Climbing In Ecuador: Cojitambo and Columnas de Tangán
When climbers think of Ecuador, instinctually think of the snowy 5,000-meter volcanic peaks located in the Andes Mountain Range or cordillera. And for good reason– some of the earth’s most impressive peaks, including the closest point to the sun, are
What is Sport Climbing?
Sport climbing is a style of free climbing whereby the lead climber clips quickdraws and their rope into permanently installed (fixed) protection bolts they ascend.
After arriving at the top of the climb, the leader clips their rope into bolted anchors and is either lowered off or abseils down.
In the event of a fall, a knowledgeable and adequate belayer, the bolted protection and the climbing rope, work together to arrest the leader’s fall before they can hit the ground.
More Climbing ...