Wired Nut

Whether it’s your first time scaling a mountain face or you are a well seasoned rock climbing vet, all climbers should try to follow a few basic rules and principles in regards to how they treat nature and their host site.  Rock climbers are generally well respected as nature friendly adventures, leaving as little trace of their excursions as possible after their day of climbing is over.   Here are a few guidelines to help maintain that upstanding reputation.

1. Leave what you find – Taking things away from nature can be just as harmful as not picking up your trash or waste.  You never know your trivial keepsake might affect an animal’s natural habitat once you are gone.  Though you may have not actively harmed nature while you were there, your effects might still be felt for a long time to come.
2. Use removable bolts and pitons– Permanent bolts and pitons will forever alter the rock face.  Removable protection is readily available and equally safe, with no long lasting effects on the rock itself.
3. Use rappel rings and slings – Rappelling directly from trees may not cause any noticeable damage to the eye, but repeatedly placing trees under that burden of weight will kill the tree over time.  Even if other climbers choose to use a limb or branch to rappel, stick to the supplies you brought and give the tree a reprieve. Read the rest of this entry »

Rock Climbing enthusiasts come in all shapes, sizes and skill levels.  Due to the dangers associated with such a high risk hobby, it is necessary to preserve a widely recognized code of ethics, ensuring the trails remain safe for all rock climbers, regardless of experience.  The following guidelines will serve to keep you and your friends safe, while looking out for the good time of others as well

1. Mind your own skill level – Just because you have accomplished an impressive climb does not mean that other people on the mountain, or even in your group, feel the need of have to the confidence to follow suit.  Do not push less experienced or less self assured climbers to go beyond their comfort zones.  This may be all good and fun in training exercises, but once you are on the rock, real dangers enter into play.  There is a fine line between motivation and peer pressure, don’t cross it.
2. Climb at your own speed – Do not feel hurried or hurry others to make it to the top as quick as possible.  This includes waiting your turn when limited space or equipment is available.  Fast paces often lead to overlooks and mishaps which can put the entire group’s safety in jeopardy.  Have patience; it’s an experience not a race.
3. Be careful sharing routes – Check and recheck climbing apparatuses when sharing routes with another climber.  Holds can come loose or dislodge during the first person’s climb and may not be up to support a second climber without repositioning or reinforcement. Read the rest of this entry »

Rock climbing inherently takes you out of your comfort zone, as that is part of the thrill, but placing yourself in such vulnerable situations can have negative repercussions in the event of even minor medical concerns.  From pesky scratches to larger issues, it is important to take all the necessary safety precautions to make sure your rock scaling ends as enjoyable as it began.  Here are some common ailments that affect climbers and some recommended advice for how to treat or prevent them.

Blisters – Foot blisters can be a continuing problem for rock climbers.  The combination of heat from the intense activity and the moisture from your foot’s natural sweat leaves you feet extremely susceptible to painful blisters, limiting your ability to climb up or down the rock.  Friction between climbing shoes, feet and any sand or rock that has found its way into your shoe can result in an incredibly uncomfortable situation.  Though many climbing shoes are made to help guard against blisters, extra care should be used when purchasing your shoes.  Make sure that you do not compromise in the size of the shoe as a result of limited availability or high price. Instead, find a shoe that truly fits.  Take to an expert, if necessary, so you can understand exactly what the proper fit feels like.

Altitude Sickness – Acute Mountain Sickness as it is officially known, can be the result of doing too much too fast at a high altitude.  Your body is not accustomed to the changing oxygen levels, thus it does not know how to react to the increased stress.  The best way to prevent or remedy AMS is rest, food and water.  Quite simply, take it easy for a while and don’t push yourself beyond your capacity. Read the rest of this entry »

Sylvester Stallone might look he’s got the rock under control as he scales the mountain’s open face, sans harness or safety provisions, in the 1993 blockbuster Cliffhanger, but for those climbers who don’t have stunt doubles and multimillion dollar Hollywood budgets, equipment isn’t just a luxury lifeline, it is a necessity.  For beginning rock climbers looking to get into the sport, the amount of supplies a lot of climbers carry might come off as intimidating or too expensive to take seriously, leaving rookies wondering, “What do I really need?”  Indoor climbing is recommended as a starting point as it avoids a lot of the sports more dangerous, unpredictable aspects and much of the equipment is available for use on site.  Take a look at this brief rundown to get familiar with the basic gear and what it’s used for.

Just like riding a bike, helmets should be worn at all times, no matter the skill level.  Surrounded by hard rock and suspended from tall heights, it’s only logical to protect your most precious organ against a fall.  Even without a fall, falling rock or debris is shielded by a helmet, avoiding even less serious risks, like temporary daze, which could make you more susceptible to more serious climbing risks and errors. Read the rest of this entry »

Knowing what kind of knot to use when rock climbing can go a long way towards ensuring a climber’s safety.  Without stable knots that can support the full capacity for human weight, climbers are placing themselves unnecessarily in harm’s way.  While rock climbing can be a dangerous hobby, using the right techniques and knots in the right situations can greatly reduce the risk, making a great day out on the open rock face a safe one as well.  Here is a look at a few knots, how they’re tied and how they’re used.

1. Bowline knot – The bowline is often referenced as the “King of Knots,” due to its widespread use.  While it’s highly used, it is susceptible to coming undone or distorting and ultimately reduces the ropes total strength.  Still, due to its practicality in many situations in remains prevalent.  To tie it, twist or turn the body of the rope into a loop.  Then take the rope end and pass it up through the twisted loop.  Take the end top and run it under the body, away from the loop.  Finally, pull the end back up over the body strand and through the original smaller loop (a new larger loop will have formed below). Pull to tighten. Read the rest of this entry »