Whether you are a beginner or an advanced climber, safety is always a priority when climbing with a rope. As there are several types of climbing, which differ in the particular equipment or climbing conditions, a few rules are important. In this article, we will find out the unwritten rules of indoor climbing, i.e. what to pay attention to during every climb.
So what are the unwritten rules of indoor climbing? There are safety rules, i.e. never pass or stand under a climber, wear appropriate footwear and equipment, and several others.
What should we take for our first rope climbing trip?
Rope climbing is one of the most interesting types of climbing and, unlike bouldering, you need to bring more equipment. Not only will it provide us with protection, but it is essential for starting our climbing adventure. Of course, we don’t have to buy everything at once, at the beginning the most important thing is suitable footwear, the rest of the equipment we can rent in the climbing hall. Here are some accessories which are necessary for rope climbing:
- Appropriate and fitting shoes, the price range here is very large, but for the beginning, the not too expensive ones with a flat sole are enough
- A climbing harness to keep your body in position and a rope attached. We can rent it at the climbing facility
- The climbing rope can be of different lengths, depending on whether it is 30, 50, or more meters long, with other accessories such as a carabiner or a belay set. They are also available to equip at the climbing hall, so you don’t have to buy them, to begin with
If you want to climb on a rope these items are necessary for the beginning, they are usually available for hire for a small fee. If you are about to buy your first climbing shoes, here are some important suggestions on what to look for and what to look out for.
What rules should every climber know?
Winter is the period of intensive training on a climbing panel or in a climbing hall, where we can meet both beginners and advanced climbers. However, regardless of the level at which we are, we should know the unwritten rules of indoor climbing, which are the basis for our safety. Below we will discuss 10 tips for beginner climbers, these include:
1) Read the rules and regulations, the most important thing to start with is to read the rules and regulations of the climbing hall. These contain safety rules and instructions on how to behave in the climbing hall.
2) Types and difficulty of routes, the most popular scales are French, British, or Yosemite. Each of them has routes ranging from the easiest to those dedicated only to very advanced climbers.
3) Remember to warm up, as not everyone will remind you of this at the start. Climbing is an extreme sport in which the whole body works. It is therefore worth preparing our muscles by warming up, this will minimize the risk of injury.
4) Take off all jewelry, rings, chains, or watches. It can sometimes happen that you get caught with them while climbing, they can cause discomfort, and sometimes they simply get damaged.
5) Leave your phone and other unnecessary items in your locker and avoid keeping them in your pocket while climbing. Remember that some walls are as high as 40 meters, and a fall from that height can hurt someone.
6) Check your equipment, when climbing with the rope, always double-check that everything is securely fastened and tied. If you are climbing with a partner, check each other.
7) Be careful, always make sure you are not standing under the climber, they may not always see you. While in the climbing arena, we should be aware that it is not only fun but sometimes a risk of an accident.
8) Magnesia powder, liquid, or ball? If it is your first time at a climbing venue, it is a good idea to ask the staff what kind of magnesia can be used; sometimes powdered or liquid magnesia is preferred. Powdered magnesia, used in excess, is very dusty and is everywhere.
9) Pay attention to proper belaying, if you are climbing with another person, in addition to checking each other, it is worth learning the basics of appropriate belaying. If you are a beginner, ask for help from an experienced person or instructor.
10) Keep your culture, climbing is a sport for people of all ages, you can meet couples and families with children here. So be polite, don’t swear, and don’t be too loud, it’s very disturbing and distracting to other climbers.
If you are at the facility for the first time, it is good to ask where the changing rooms, and toilets, where you can eat, and what are the habits regarding these issues are. On the large walls, you can climb both with a rope and in the form of bouldering, there are cafés, and gyms – ask what you can use and what are the rules of use. And, of course, you need to know these unwritten rules of indoor climbing.
What are the types of rope climbing?
If you are a bouldering person and would like to try something different, it may be rope climbing. It is a slightly more difficult form of climbing, requiring additional equipment and sometimes a belayer. Climbing with a rope can be divided into:
- Climbing with bottom belaying, where we climb the rope and attach it to the so-called express, and the other person protects us from the bottom. It is important to always check each other that everything is well fastened and tied
- Climbing with a fishing rod, just like in the first type, one person climbs, but the rope is hung from the top. Then we climb the chosen route, and the other person supports us from the bottom and chooses the excess rope to keep it taut all the time
- Climbing with the use of automatic machines, with this type of climbing we can climb alone. We attach the rope from a special machine that acts as our belayer. A good way to get used to the height and type of this climb
Regardless of what type of climbing we choose, we always need to know the unwritten rules of indoor climbing, they are the basis for the safe practice of this sport. Climbing is an extreme sport but also entertainment for the whole family, which has made it more and more popular for several years.
In Summary – Unwritten Rules Of Indoor Climbing – (10 Tips For Beginners)
Climbing is one of the more interesting extreme sports, we can practice it in various conditions, both in the hall and on the field. We can also climb alone, in pairs, or go to the wall in a group. Rope climbing is a bit more difficult than bouldering, but it’s worth a try.
We are dealing with greater heights and specialized equipment, it is quite an unusual sport. Regardless of whether we are beginners or advanced, safety rules apply to everyone. The unwritten rules of indoor climbing will help you find your way in this environment and learn about the customs that prevail on climbing walls.
