Rock Climbing for Beginners

If you have never been rock climbing before, then your first experience is quite interesting. So I thought I shall share some interesting things that I learnt. This is indoor rock climbing. Not that actual thing.

I am only going to go over the basic things a learnt. If you want more details then there is always wikipedia.

Since it was my first time, the people working there give gave me and work colleagues a demo about safety and how things work. Also wearing a harness for the first time can be difficult and can be uncomfortable at first.

The demo started of showing how to climb a wall with a belayer. I think it was a top rope system. So the climber attaches themselves to one end of the rope. This rope goes to the top of the wall and then comes down to the belayer who is also attached to the rope. The belayer stands about 5 metres away from the wall.

So as the climber climbs the wall, the belayer has the pull the rope so the rope between the two is always tight. So that if the climber falls, they only fall a small distance. They have special systems attached onto the rope, so that if you do fall, the rope automatically locks, so its quite safe. Then once you have reached the top or have had enough, you can let go of the wall and the belayer will slowly bring you down.

How they measure difficulty
The rock climbing walls have colour coded holds(placed where you put your hands or feet). Each of the colour coded holds are given a level which is shown on the wall. And the aim is to use a single colour to get to the top. If you can then you have achieved that level. Simple as that.
Easier levels have many holds which are large and easy to grip. Harder levels have fewer holds in hard to reach locations and are difficult to grip.

Lead climbing
Another style of climbing that I saw was lead climbing. There is still a belayer, but as the climber climbs its there responsibility to clip themselves into clips along the way. This style is for more experienced rock climbers.

Don't need a belayer
There where also tall narrow walls which don't require a belayer. There is still a rope that you have to clip your harness on, but as you climb the wall there is a mechanism that keeps the rope tight and if you fall, it automatically takes you down slowly.

Bouldering
Instead of going up the wall, in bouldering you go across. In other words rock climbing sideways.

So that was my first experience regarding rock climbing and I recommend that you try it once.