Climbing is a wildly challenging and thrilling sport, and climbers understand that the risk of falling is always present. But that doesn’t mean they don’t take every possible measure to keep a climb safe. Some climbing equipment is designed to make ascents easier, but most of it is geared towards safety and protection.
Climbing is addictive, as you’ll soon find out. Rule number one in this sport: safety starts and ends with reliable climbing equipment. Here’s what you’ll need.
Your list of basic climbing equipment
There is a whole host of accessories and equipment to choose from, whether it’s for local rock climbing or alpine ascents. What you need depends on both the climb and your skills. Here’s a list of the bare essentials that you shouldn’t leave at home.
- Harness. Your climbing harness should fit you properly and comfortably. For beginners it’s invaluable, because it can support your weight while you figure things out on the rock wall and it’ll help you stay upright at the bottom of any falls.
- Rope. Depending on the type of climbing you’re doing, your life could hang by the rope you choose. Talk to a pro at a climbing shop to find out which kind you should buy, and don’t go cheap. It should be at least twice the length of the route you intend to climb.
- Helmet.Regardless of your level of experience, you should wear a helmet whenever you’re climbing. It can make all the difference between a nasty fall and a fatal mistake.
- Climbing shoes. This specialized footwear has super-flexible rubber soles and leather or nylon uppers.
- Carabiners. These sturdy little loop-hooks serve as a link between you, your belt and your equipment. It’s better to have too many than not enough.
- Chalk. Use a chalk bag to hold the chalk you’ll be dipping into during those sweaty, nerve-racking climbs when your hands keep slipping off the rock.
- Nuts. Also called “pro” for protection, nuts are placed in cracks to help keep you from falling.
Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive, and you should shop for all your protection under the guidance of a seasoned climber. You don’t want to realize you’re missing a key item when you’re clinging to a rock wall.
Vigilance
If you decide to invest in your own climbing equipment, you need to learn how to take care of it and be able to identify worn out or broken gear. Take inventory of your stuff before, during and after every expedition. Learning how to pay attention to detail will save you a lot of trouble, and maybe it will even save your life one day.
The cleanup
Take advantage of seasonal changes for the more detailed verification and maintenance of your climbing equipment.
- Wash your rope in the washing machine, taking care to braid it or put it in a pillow case to keep it from tangling. Check the manufacturer's instructions for the type of soap to use.
- Allow your rope to air dry in a ventilated area and don’t expose it to direct heat. It might need up to 48 hours to dry thoroughly. Remember that using a damp rope reduces its lifespan.
- Lubricate your carabiners.
- Wash harnesses, straps, ropes and helmets with plain water.
Whether your playground is a climbing wall in a gym or multi-pitch terrain, your well-maintained equipment will give you an extra boost of confidence if things get rough.
