Climbing a rock without special equipment means putting yourself in mortal danger. It is a special gear that will save your life if an arm or leg accidentally slips off, or a piece of rock is too fragile and cannot bear the weight of a climber. It is necessary to choose equipment seriously - these are not the things that are worth saving money. It is better to focus on well-known brands and before buying, be sure to consult with an experienced climber.
Before you go to conquer steep mountains, it is recommended to check the equipment and work out several times at a local climbing wall or low ledges.
We have created a rock climbing gear list that will help you decide on the choice of necessary accessories.
And don't forger about other important things while travelling. We made a Hiking Equipment List for that case.
Equipment for climbing a mountain must necessarily include a special safety system. It can be lower or upper gear, depending on which part of the body it is located. The lower one is a system of slings wrapping around the waist and hips. This item is the most popular among climbers. Upper, chest harness, tightly wraps around the chest climber and fastens on his shoulders.
A rope is necessarily included in the kit of a climber. And the usual one will not suit. It must be purchased in the departments of equipment for climbers.
Climbing rope refers to the so-called dynamic types. That is, with a sharp jerk, it lengthens and absorbs some of the efforts. Where a static rope would break, the dynamic one maintains and provides insurance and safety to the conqueror of mountains with an accidental deprivation of the mainstay.
When buying, it is better to take a two-color rope. Such a choice will greatly save time when rewinding.
Special shoes make it easy to climb the mountain and have specific features. Such shoes are characterized by a layer of special non-slip rubber, which can reach 5-7 cm. The heel is made with the best possible shock absorption. Most often are produced suede models, having in its composition stretch. Types of fastening of the rock shoes on the foot can be different. Most often, climbers prefer models with velcro, and only a few wear shoes with lacing.
The main rule when choosing this equipment is that shoes should sit tight on the foot and ideally embrace the heel. Freely dangling backdrop, the space between the toe and fingers is unacceptable. Depending on the requirements, there are two types of shoes: thin and sensitive climbing shoes and thick, stiff sole. The first variant is good for climbing over rocks with a large number of protrusions, where you need to subtly feel each point of support. Second variant is suitable for raising on an almost vertical surface. You should pay attention to how shoes behave with different bending of the foot if you need sensitive shoes.
Mountain crampons are also attached to the shoes - special devices that facilitate the climber.
Climbing crampons are an integral part of the climber's insurance. They are a plate with special teeth in the heel and toe part, which are put on the shoes and additionally clasp the leg. They help to facilitate the ascent of the mountain, especially in winter, when the surface is covered with a slippery ice crust. Crampons are rigid, semi-rigid and universal.
Crampons can be either solid or made of two segments, which are individually attached to the toe and heel. They are used in ice climbing or mountain tourism. Crampons must be present in the equipment if you go climbing in the cold season.
With a lot of physical effort palms sweat. And for a climber, this means the difficulty of holding tightly and climbing further. To get rid of sweating of the palms, to have a good grip of the hands with the surface of the rock, an experienced athlete always has with him a small bag of special white powder for hands made of chalk.
Chalk for rock climbing is also available in the form of a gel or a solution, but when climbing to a decent height, it is extremely inconvenient to use such form of this tool. It is much easier and faster to put your hand into a bag of powder, which usually hangs near the climber on a belt behind his back, and wipe the hands.
An important detail of the climber's insurance is carabine. This device is a connecting part of two knots and ensures the safety of the climber during the ascent to the mountain. Carabines represent a metal bracket with a latch. They can be of various shapes.
These carabines perfectly suit for climbing. They are light (only 2 oz each), that is why carabines minimize the weight of your gear during any adventure.
Favofit carabiner is certified with weight limit at 25KN (5620 lbs) for major axis, and at 7KN(1573 lbs) for minor axis and locking gate.
This bright carabiner is made from ultra-durable aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, which is lightweight and portable. It holds up to 5620 lbs of weight. The weight of the carabiner is 2 oz. The bright color of the carabiner will not let it get lost.
This carabiner has a certified weight limit at 5511 lbs for major axis, and at 1573 lbs for minor axis and locking gate. It weighs only 60 grams.
With the twist-lock design, you can easily run this climbing carabiner one-handed. You can easily lock it by turning the red screw, then turn it in the opposite direction and turn it on again to unlock it.
Of course, this is not the whole list of rock climbing gear necessary for climbing the mountains. But these things are definitely a must-have for every climber, both beginner and the experienced one.