Rock Climbing 

Before you go rock climbing, make sure you have the safety equipment and clothing. Ensure that it is both comfy and optimal for rock climbing. Meaning, make sure you always go your research beforehand. 

Make sure to bring with you:

  • Climbing helmet - Protects your head from potential falls, loose rocks and other risks that come with rock climbing. Your helmet should fit and have full coverage of your head while allowing comfortable movement.
  • Climbing harness - Classed as a lifeline between you and the rope by creating a secure connection. Choose a harness that fits well and offers adjustable leg loops for it to be personalized fit.
  • Climbing shoes - Designed specifically for rock climbing, these shoes should fit your foot but not be uncomfortably tight. Allowing for you to have precise footwork and grip on rocks during your trip.
  • Clothing Layers- Clothing layers can be vital during rock climbing. Have a moisture-wicking  base layer that helps regulate your body temperature and keeps you dry. You are advised to look at fast drying materials such as synthetics or merino wool.
  • Accessories- Don't forgot to protect yourself from sunrays through sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglass for the best protection. The higher up you are, the stronger the rays.

If you have got everything, enjoy your day out. remember to stay safe!

WHAT SHOULD YOUR AIMS FOR ROCK CLIMBING BE?

Rock climbing is often done both individually and in groups. Giving a range of aims and goals which you can set to complete on your journey. Advised aims and goals can include;

 

  • Communication - You can develop multiples ways of communication, both verbal and non-verbal. Verbally you can practice commands among a group of climbers. This ensures that you are effective together with communication and have an understanding of each other. Allowing for a safer climb. While, non-verbally you can practice rope tugs or hand signals as a form of communication. Allowing for situations where verbal communication is compromised, you still have a way to communicate the commands you have.
  • Leadership - Rock climbing is great for developing both leadership and trust within a team aspect. By working together to overcome challenges you get to learn how to communicate effectively, make decisions under pressure and support each others efforts. This shared experience allows for shared accomplishment as you all grow alongside each other with every step you take.
  • Independence - When climbing, you must rely on your skills and your skills alone. As well as your judgement with assessing your current circumstances. Otherwise you could have a incident from pushing yourself in  an experience which if you assessed, you would have realised to have take a different route or come back after more training. Allowing you to get a better understanding of your capabilities and what to to do and what not to do.
  • Your wellbeing - You can develop both physical and mental wellbeing through rock climbing. Rock climbing is a full body exercise which engages multiple muscle groups. Improving your strength, flexibility, balance, endurance and cardiovascular health as you go on rock climbing. Not only this, it can also improve your emotional and mental wellbeing. Regular climbing can reduce stress, anxiety and depression, while boosting self-esteem and confidence. While fostering a growth mindset and promoting mindful thinking. Making it beneficial to you overall. Climb for yourself.

Rock Climbing is for everyone

Rock climbing is assessable to all, with centres offering specialized activities to all ages.  Though outdoor climbing should always be supervised in case of an incident. Along side young kids not being advised to partake in this type of climbing, sticking to what gyms have to offer.

Young kids, 4-7 years old

This the minimum age to what is known as Clip N Climb and the Clip N Climb sessions. These sessions require 1 to 1 supervision and are from ages 4+ to allow for the safest experience. Offering two challenges, with a height limit of 1.2m, involving a vertical drop and a leap of faith. Allowing for basic skills to be learnt.

Juniors, 7-17 years old

Commonly offered is Kids Clubs and youth coaching, and from the age of 7+ you can start to do NICAS bouldering. Aiming to develop movement, competency and confidence. Allowing individuals to accomplish achievements through NICAS (national indoor climbing award scheme) which is nationally recognised.

Adults, 18+

Rock Climbing has no upper age limit, many gyms offer active adult communities. Consisting of people whom are 20 to 40+ year olds coming together to make the most of their day. Continuing rock climbing helps them stay fit as well as gives them something to look forward too.

Performance peak

While raw strength begins to slightly decline after the age of 30, climbing proficiency often peaks later. This is due to the fact they have improved technique and mental experience. Allowing them to accomplish more through using there knowledge rather then relying on brute strength which they had originally.

Different levels

Rock climbing can use multiple systems such as the Yosemite Decimal system, French or UIAA. The French system is used globally and is more in depth then the YDS when it comes to difficulty.

Novice, 1-4

Focuses on learning basic safety, movement and building stamina on easy, vertical or slightly inclined system.

Intermediate, 5a-6a

Climbers possess consistent technique and strength. Now tackling inclined vertical routes

 

Advanced, 6b-7b

Requires specialised training, strength and mental fortitude for steep overhanging terrains.

 

Expert/Elite, 7b-9c

Elite athletes who are at there peak often climb 9a+ or higher which represents the world's hardest most technical route.

Gyms will often use colour coding to help you understand which parts you will be able to climb. for example yellow for beginner and black for expert. Making it easier for those in the gym but it also highlights the specific route which you are aiming to take by going for the specific coloured boulders.

Providers

Governing Bodies and training

  • British Mountaineering Council (BMC) - The national bodies for climbing in both England and Wales. Providing access, safety information and guidance. Being the main reason in which we are allowed to do rock climbing within the UK due to the safety measures.
  • Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) - Represents qualified instructors. Overseeing there actions as an instructor, making sure they do there job correctly.
  • NICAS (National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes) - Provides a structured, nationwide, indoor training. Mainly in centres where everyone is active. Giving people something to aim for and an award to show the achievement.
  • Mountain training - Provides the formal qualifications for instructors in the UK. Allowing people to guide individuals who wish to get into rock climbing.

Marketing

Many rock climbing places use Social media nowadays to market due to the uprise of use of social media. Often you can find local ones through searching on Instagram or YouTube and they will appear. Though they also relay on their community to do marketing. Hoping that those who are in the community talk about there experience and encourage them to come join and partake.

Different sector providers

Public:

  • Public rock climbing can be found through universities, colleges , national parks, local authorities and specialized education. Places such as the University of Nottingham offer climbing walls and training for all levels, whereas specialized education often is partner shipped with companies such as Call of the Wild Ltd. While National parks can contain information about natural rocks which can be climbed. Making rock climbing an assessable sport due to the numerous public providers.

Private:

  • Private rock climbing is provided through many various companies. Containing companies such as The Mountaineering company (who provide hillwalking, climbing and mountaineering), Climbing tuition (UK or Europe trips which aim towards skill training) and Beyond the Edge (scrambling, bespoke guide). Though you also can have specialized areas such as Nuts 4 Climbing who focuses on Southern Sandstone and offers courses near London. Giving chances to find an experience tailored to your experience. Whether that's climbing in groups or unique rocks to training and refining your skills.

Awesome Walls, Sheffield

Awesome Walls is a popular, large-scale indoor climbing centre located in Sheffield. It offers a wide range of climbing experiences under one roof. Offering beginner routes to taster sessions to advanced lead climbing and bouldering. Along side having a lively community environment. It is well situated in the city's big climbing culture and is one of the go-to gyms in the UK for both new and seasoned climbers. 

Awesome Walls is a man made climbing sight.

 

Key features:

  • Varied Climbing Styles - Awesome Walls offers top rope and lead climbing which involves tall walls for harnessed climbers. Bouldering areas which involves shorter walls with ideal strength work and technical problems without ropes. As well as Auto-belays which climb solo without a partner belayer.
  • Instruction and Courses - Offers beginner inductions, learn-to-climb courses, progression coaching and structured session for skill development. Offering varying training opportunities to develop your skills.
  • Community and Events - Bouldering and lead events competitions offering competitiveness within the community, social climbs, women-only coaching and youth club sessions. Allowing everyone to become apart of the community.

  • Inclusive and Socials - Suitable for children who are from age of 6+, adults, beginners and pros alike. Building a strong community feel for those who are involved.

 

Beginner friendliness: 

Awesome Walls is known for being beginner friendly. Offering taster and induction days, giving a specialized introduction to those who have never been rock climbing. Instructors during this will walk you through the basics, safety and how to use both a harness and ropes. They provide the equipment to beginners when they book a sessions, including all of the essential gear (harness, ropes, shoes). Meaning you do not need to own anything to begin rock climbing. When the beginners begin climbing, they have auto-belays and bouldering making it easier for them to climb either solo or with a belaying partner.

 

Who it is ideal for:

  • Beginners - They have a great introduction with proper instructions and gentle climbs allowing confidence to build. Welcome beginners in nicely.
  • Mixed groups/families - A perfect place for different age groups and skill levels due to the variety of climbs. Everyone has something they can partake in.
  • Intermediate climbers - Many routes and bouldering problems which allow for you to develop both your technique and stamina.
  • Experienced climbers - You are offered lead walls, overhangs, technical lines and regular routes. Regular routes get reset meaning you can practice numerous different routes overtime making it worth your time.
  • Social climbers - For those who are looking for community events, competitions, coaching and group sessions. They allow for a community to develop for those who like climbing in a social atmosphere rather then going solo.

 

For an inside view, look at the following video:

Contact

Garter St,

SheffieldS4 7QX

Hours

Open every day

10AM - 10PM - week days

10AM - 8PM - weekends

Phone

0114 244 6622

Vantage, Washington

Vantage is a small rural community located in Washington. Offering an outdoor-recreation area in Kittitas County along the Columbia River, a 2 hour drive away from Seattle. Made up of high desert landscapes and dramatic basalt cliffs for you to climb. It is a natural climbing sight. Though it gives a relaxed out-doors feel compared to traditional town or resorts making it a unique experience.

 

Key features:

  • Echo Basin and Frenchman Coulee - On Basalt Columns there is hundreds climbing routes which have been established for you to explore. They range from easier climbs to advanced sport and traditional routes.
  • Wild Horse Monument - There is a well-known public artwork installation if steel horses. This is located on a ridge above the water but is also seen as a good short hike in which you can do while at Vantage.
  • Stargazing and Natural Scenery - Due to having minimal pollution, Vantage is an amazing place for you to go stargazing. Offering a stary sky during the night time.
  • Camping and trials - Vantage has several camping spots and trials along the river. Allowing for you to stay out there comfortably for longer if you bring the correct equipment with you. Giving more opportunities to go rock climbing.

 

Beginner friendliness:

When it comes to rock climbing in Vantage. it is a mixed experience for beginners. Vantage is one of the most popular climbing destinations in Washington due to the hundreds of routes that it has to offer. Some of these routes are easier, lower grade, climbs. Though many are vertical or technical, involving a deeper depth of knowledge when it comes to rock climbing skills. Such as the use of gear, anchors or rappelling. Overall Vantage is not an instructed beginner area, climbers usually bring there own systems or guides when going to Vantage. Making it best suited for climbers who have experience.

 

Who it is ideal for:

  • Intermediate sport climbers - Vantage has a huge number of well-bolted sport routes that can offer vertical to slightly overhanging basalt faces. Containing lots of 5.9-5.10 routes which you should be able to complete if you climb 5.8-5.10 at the gym or outside.
  • Endurance and technique builders - Many routes on Vantage are 30 to 60 feet tall. Offering you sustained movement over single movements which allow you to improve on footwork on small edges, clipping efficiency and route reading.
  • Shoulder season climbers - Best during spring and fall due to the dry climate. Though this means that there is good conditions when western Washington is wet to contrast the dry conditions. Though be careful as in shoulder months it can be windy rather then the hot in summer making it harder to hold on while climbing.

 

For an inside view, look at the following video:

Contact

Vantage, WA 98950, USA

Hours

Closed on Sundays

Monday to Thursday
11AM - 7PM

Friday and Saturday

11AM - 8PM

 

Email

Cabin@washingtonalpineclub.com 55 54 80

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