Wired Nut

Nature Rock Formations Vs. Artificial Rock Walls?

admin — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When rock climbing there are generally two distinct avenues you can take. You can find a center with artificial rock walls and climb in relative safety and luxury or can try climbing natural rock formation, which can sometimes be notably more dangerous. There are a lot of things to take into account when deciding where you will climb, but experience is by far the most important factor.

If you are just starting climbing it is usually wise to start on an artificial rock wall. This is because making a mistake in such a controlled setting is far more forgiving than making the same mistake on the face of a cliff. Take your time to learn the ropes here before moving on. Your ultimate goal, however, should really be to start climbing natural rock walls. Start out small, making sure that you are secure before climbing your first natural rock formation. Remember what you learned and put it to good use and you will be scaling the big cliffs in no time. There is nothing quite so rewarding as standing on the top of your first cliff and looking down, knowing that you conquered nature and are ready for whatever she will throw at you next.Want to know more? Go ahead: The Annual Zip Line

Proper Climbing Techniques And Usage of Climbing Equipment

admin — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Rock Climbing can be a very exhilarating experience. However, if one does not make sure every step is taken towards the event being safe, then there is only trouble that comes from the experience. There are ways to properly rock climb. Make sure that you have the right kind of equipment such as a helmet, a harness for support, and a long solid rope and belay. It’s imperative to check to make sure the rope is wrapped tight as well as the harness, just to ensure safety in case you might slip off the rock. Taking the proper safety precautions helps tremendously. It’s always better to be safe than to be sorry. A Karabiner is a good way to secure the rope by making a loop and inserting it through the biggest hole of the 8. After that, make sure put it through the bottom opening of the 8, so that there’s no more slack for the rope. There are different techniques such as Chest Jamming which helps for resting purposes, campusing which is a form of power climbing using the arms, and more. You have a ton of options while you climb, just make sure you do them safely.

Is Rock Climbing A Mans Sport?

admin — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

With more women getting physically fit, rock climbing has gone from being a man’s passion to a woman’s pleasure. Men have always been the ones who have climbed rocks outdoors and at indoor rock climbing facilities. Men have always had the strength to pull themselves up on a rock, and they have been able to climb rocks that are very high. Recently, women have discovered that they too can join the ranks of men who climb rocks. Women are generally more agile than men, making rock climbing an easy sport. Women and men can climb together; however men should always let women climb ahead before they do out of courtesy. Women should wear clothing that is concealing and comfortable due to climbing above other people. A good pair of shoes that has a grip to them should be worn. Shorts can be worn at indoor rock climbing locations, but if women are climbing outside, longer shorts or even pants should be worn so that the legs are not scratched. Men have dominated the sport of rock climbing, but today women are joining them in their efforts. There is no reason why both men and women cannot enjoy the same sport and have fun doing it.

Staying Safe on Your Summer Climb

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Summer is the perfect time to get out in nature and do some great rock climbing, but it can also be a dangerous season. Here are a few things to keep in mind and take with you when you head out into the wilderness to go rock climbing this summer
Take plenty of water. It may seem obvious, but a lot of climbers don’t take enough water to suit their needs. To avoid getting dehydrated, take at least 60 ounces of water but if you’re going to an area where you might get turned around, take at least a gallon.
Buddy climb. When you’re going for climb, especially in a remote area, be sure to take a buddy with you in case problems arise. You never know when an extra set of hands could be useful or if you might need someone to lead the climb site for help.
Stay connected. When you’re going out for climb, be sure to take a cell phone or a laptop with wireless internet . In case you get lost or run into trouble these connections to the real world will prove eminently helpful.

Preserving Nature While Climbing

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:36:03 +0000

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.

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.
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.
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.
Do not chip or drill holds Use natural openings and rock crevices to place the hold that enable you to climb higher. Like permanent bolts and pitons, chipping and drilling holds irreparably alter the rock face for the worse.
Blend in If you are forced to leave anchors, bolts or holds, choose equipment that is naturally colored and can blend in naturally with the rock face. Not only will these man-made objects be less invasive to mother nature, but less intrusive on the common eye as well.

Rock Climbing Etiquette

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:35:14 +0000

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

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.
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.
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.
Answer honestly If you find a particular path or route particularly challenging, don’t brush it off when asked about it on the mountain. This may be an effort for another climber to assess his or her own ability to complete the path. A misleading response could affect that climber’s judgment to take chances over his or her head.
Respond to Help Appropriately In the event of an emergency, respond to help as quickly and calmly as possible. Do not ignore or leave behind an injured climber, but rushing to assistance too hastily can easily result with two injured climbers instead of one.

Rock Climbing Quick First Aid Help

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:34:01 +0000

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.Fall Any sort of unplanned drop of fall can obviously lead to serious injury. Immediately contact emergency help services. Trying to move a fall victim can have long term brain or spinal damage, so avoid moving seriously injured climbers without professionally trained help.

Gear and Equipment for Beginners

www.wirednut.com — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:32:56 +0000

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.The harness is the most vital of all equipment as it is worn on your body like tight belt with leg loops, allowing you to be easily suspended from the ground. The harness is attached to ropes and by carabiners, or metal loops with springing gates, to allow fluidity of movement up and down the mountain. Ropes are also run up through belay devices to ensure a climbers safety. A proper belay device maximizes the use of friction against a rope so that even a lighter climber can support a heavier climber were he or she to fall. While one person climbs, another will belay the climber, serving as a spotter more or less. Beginning climbers should be sure that they are belayed by attentive professionals and should not try to belay one another unless under proper supervision.

Rock Climbing Knots

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:32:02 +0000

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.

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.
Alpine Butterfly Knot This convenient knot is one of the most secure, reliable single loop knots out there, able to be tied without access to either rope end. To start, twist the rope to form a loop. Twist the loop again to turn the original loop into two loops. The resulting rope should look like the number 8. Take the second loop (top) down and bring it underneath the rope. From there, pass the second loop hold up first loop. To finish, tighten the rope by pulling in opposite directions.
Figure 8 Loop The figure 8 is one of the strongest single loop knots, but it can be very difficult to untie if is tighten by supporting a heavy load. In order to tie one, fold the rope back onto itself. Next, take the creased end and fold it back to lay it perpendicular over the body of the rope. Then fold the creased end up under the rope, further down the body of the rope. From there, bring the end back up over the first strand and down through the top hole, rounding out the 8 shape. Pull to tighten.