SolveYourProblem Article Series: Extreme Sports
I Love The Adrenaline Rush Of Extreme Sports
The
Appeal of Rock Climbing
Rock climbing has become a nation and even worldwide craze.
People are coming to the sport in droves because
it offers exercise and excitement at the same time. Do you see the
appeal? If not, perhaps you should take a look at exactly
rock climbing actually involves. You never know, you may
be lining up to be a part of the crowd in no time flat.
Those who have attempted rock climbing before will tell you
that it is many things, but easy is not one of those things.
Most people, on their first attempt, come away feeling
defeated by the sport. What beginners soon realize, whether they try
indoor climbing or outdoor climbing, is that this sport requires
an incredible amount of physical and mental energy. It is perhaps
the most completely demanding sport around.
There are three
basic types of rock climbing you can try.
The first is called top roping and is perhaps the most common.
In top roping you climb with a partner. From the ground, the
partner has a rope from his harness up to the top of the rock
and then back down to you as you climb. The second type of
rock climbing is called lead climbing. In lead climbing you
are still with another person and there are still ropes and
pulleys. The difference is that the rope is not at the top
of the wall, but it is instead hooked into clasps.
The third type of rock climbing is completely different. It
is called bouldering, and there are no ropes or harnesses.
As a climber, you will likely stay closer to the ground as
you climb around and across the rock more than up the rock.
There will generally be a route of some sort that you can complete
without much resting. In some cases, you will be required to
do what rock climbers call a dyno. In a dyno, you leap off
the wall and grab onto a hold that is beyond your reach. This
is why many will say that bouldering is the most mentally demanding
of all the types of rock climbing.
Interestingly, experienced rock climbers will tell you that
it is predominantly a leg activity. About three fourths of
your work should be done by your legs, and then one fourth
by your arms. The key to climbing well is to have solid technique.
One major technique rule that you will learn early on is to
at all times have three points (each hand and each foot is
a point) touching the wall. There is an enormous difference
between having your weight on three points as opposed to two.
A second rule of technique is to always climb with your feet.
Your hands will hold you to the wall, but should never be doing
the pulling, and since your legs are stronger, it is a more
efficient way to climb anyway. Thirdly, it is important to
remember that the closer your body is to the wall the easier
it will be for you to climb. With lots of practice, you will
see that it is all this thinking and strategy that has helped
make rock climbing one of the fastest growing sports in the
world.
When you first begin climbing, no matter how well you have
been taught technique, it is a good idea to start with one
of the first two types. They are easier and by forcing you
to have a buddy with you are safer as well. As you develop
technique and strength you will find that you can then more
easily move into bouldering if that is something you desire
to try.
You may feel like rock climbing seems awfully extreme for
a regular Joe like you, but it is quite the workout. As you
get further into the sport, learn technique, body positions,
and even how to shift your weight, you will see that your mental
sharpness will improve as well. If you like to get out and
work, but also enjoy chess or other strategy games, you will
find that rock climbing is right up your alley. It is not enough
to be strong or in shape, and it is not enough to be smart,
you have to be strong and sharp.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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