Questions tagged [rock-climbing]

This tag should be used for all questions about the activity rock climbing, books, gear and accessories used or necessary to do rock climbing. The term Rock Climbing is an activity in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls.

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Mortality statistics: Ski touring vs rock climbing

In Switzerland, where I live, the communities of rock climbers and ski tourers are quite overlapping. I often rock climb in sport setups (single or multi-pitch and bouldering) but almost never go ski ...
G. Gare's user avatar
  • 143
8 votes
2 answers
2k views

What do you call a nearly vertical step on a ridge?

Here is an example where someone climbing strictly on the ridge would encounter a vertical section: What do you call this feature?
Paul Jurczak's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
814 views

Why not use Reverso in autoblock/guide mode for top roping (or lead climbing)?

I'm simply wondering why we don't use reversos or similar belay device in guide mode when we top rope or lead climb. During normal use, letting go of the brake rope removes any braking in case the ...
elcye's user avatar
  • 61
1 vote
1 answer
177 views

When did the manufacture date became mandatory written on labels in Europe?

Equipment like ropes, slings, harness, etc. have the manufacture date on their label. I still have some older equipment without any manufacture date written on their label. When did it become ...
Wernfried Domscheit's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
233 views

Is there a reasonable way to build a toprope anchor if the only available natural anchor points are greater than 90 degrees apart?

I generally use the Joshua Tree anchor system for toproping, as taught to me by a professional guide. Essentially, a static rope is tied to two anchor points to make a "V" shape of 90 ...
SamWeiss's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

How are different terrains, defined by their angle, called in climbing?

I started climbing 6 months ago and finally need to understand the climbing nomenclature when it comes to terrain angles. So, I would like to ask the climbers how the following angles would be called. ...
KaPy3141's user avatar
  • 153
12 votes
1 answer
4k views

Why are climbing hangers/anchors that thin?

I've always wondered why the typical plates bolted to rock in order to secure climbers are that thin. I imagine them behaving like a knife under a sudden load in a falling scenario. Wouldn't ...
Andrestand's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
394 views

Soft catch for much lighter climber

One of my friends is just starting to get into lead climbing. I'd like to find some good approaches for providing them with a soft catch if they fall. However, there is a big weight difference ...
Dan's user avatar
  • 273
4 votes
3 answers
2k views

Indoor Rock Climbing (Boulder) - Finger Skin Coming Off - How to Treat and Avoid It?

I started indoor rock climbing 3 weeks ago. I do it 2-3 times a week. I noticed after today's climb that my pinky finger right hand skin is coming off. Also two other fingers skin is kinda loose. How ...
azamsharp's user avatar
  • 141
6 votes
1 answer
192 views

Bouldering in Font

I will be heading to Font and am beginning to plan specific areas to head to. I'm bouldering up to 6b but have heard the grades are stiffer over there (compared to the UK) - if there is a difference, ...
EmmaL's user avatar
  • 365
14 votes
4 answers
4k views

Climbing attached to a carabiner rather than tying in

I've just started rock climbing at an indoor climbing gym with a few friends. I noticed on the auto-belay walls, the was a carabiner you clip to your harness (I assume in the belay loop). Is it safe ...
Dan's user avatar
  • 273
3 votes
2 answers
717 views

Belaying with two hands below atc

I was trained to belay at a summer camp by an adventure group. The way I was taught was to always have two hands below the atc and to pull up with both hands to tighten the rope and then brake with ...
Cloe's user avatar
  • 31
3 votes
2 answers
140 views

Rock climbing around Seattle area

I recently moved to Seattle from the bay area. Does anyone have any recommendations on climbing areas close to Seattle. I know of Index, but I have heard it's pretty hard. I am more of a beginner.
Shirley Rawson's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
432 views

Lead climbing and descending with a rappel

After you finish a lead climb and are ready to descend by rappelling off the top anchors, do you pull the rope through all the quick draws or do you just clean the quick draws on the way down?
Nathan M's user avatar
9 votes
3 answers
3k views

Does it make sense to use fall arresters in rock climbing to reduce the forces involved?

I understand that the fall factor depends on the actual length of the rope that will absorb the energy during a fall. The longer the rope, the smaller the rigidity of the system, and thus, the smaller ...
Javier Ojeda's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
596 views

What's the best way to carry a stick clip while climbing?

In this article and this Outdoors.SE answer, the following use for stick clips is mentioned: Having a clip stick means you can take a quickdraw out at a time. Just lower to the next bolt, clip ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
  • 2,837
-5 votes
3 answers
472 views

Why would placing bolts on a trad climbing route make it inconvenient to climb?

In this question, an interesting comment was added by @endolith: If the route is listed in a guide book as a trad route, it would be seen as … very rude to install bolts on it Is there a practical ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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7 votes
4 answers
5k views

Can anyone just go ahead and install a rock climbing bolt?

As per Who places the anchors that rock climbers use? it seems that there usually isn't a legally established authority managing rock climbing routes. As such, its up to groups of volunteers to ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
  • 2,837
18 votes
5 answers
7k views

In outdoor sport climbing, why are bolts placed so far apart?

In indoor gyms, lead climbing routes would usually have bolts spaced around 6 feet apart. However in outdoor routes, something like 10 feet seems to be the norm, which is quite perplexing given that ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
  • 2,837
27 votes
8 answers
11k views

Is it okay to “free solo” in popular climbing spots?

Our climbing group had a disagreement today with another set of climbers over the fact that my friend was doing “free solo” on what normally would be a 5.6 top rope route. Personally I wasn’t happy ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
706 views

Overhand versus underhand loop in tying up a bowline knot [duplicate]

I have never seen any experienced climber tie up a bowline knot starting up with an underhand loop (*). Bowline knots are most typically started with an overhand by flipping the standing part of the ...
Antoni Parellada's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
366 views

Why is it considered good practice to not remain attached to just a Personal Anchor System?

I'm watching videos on how to lower while outdoor climbing (sample video) and it seems that the accepted practice is to always be attached to the wall with both a rope and the PAS. But what is the ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
  • 2,837
5 votes
4 answers
1k views

How do I know the local ettiquete on lowering vs. rappeling?

From reading up on the rappel vs. lower dilemma, I often see references to "local etiquette". For example a related question mentions that: Some exceptions to the "climber's choice&...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
337 views

Which way is which on the Wild Country variable controller belay device?

I purchased a Wild Country Variable Controller a while ago but have only used it a couple of times. It has an asymmetrical profile meaning one side provides more friction (for belaying) and the other ...
Darren's user avatar
  • 2,433
3 votes
0 answers
83 views

Creating climbing ladders with webbing strap

I have a webbing spool (some meters long) and would like to create climbing ladders out of it. Could I attach some single bar buckles+tie knots on the extremes to make loops? Is that a bad idea? The ...
Quora Feans's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
200 views

How to rig a haul bag so I can move it up/down while midair?

I have a fixed vertical line that can be ascended/descended. I need a bag (a bucket with tools, actually) when I'm hanging mid-air, and need to move it up/down. The bag is over 20 lbs / 10 kg so I ...
Alexander's user avatar
  • 1,748
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

Why are twist-lock carabiners considered dangerous for some applications?

There are different types of locking carabiners. A screw-gate carabiner requires multiple rotations of the screw in order to lock it. A twist-lock carabiner locks automatically whenever you close it. ...
Mehmet Karatay's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
300 views

What is causing climbing shoe toe blowouts?

I recently had two pairs of climbing shoes die in a very similar fashion: the right toe blows out, leaving a flapping piece of rubber near the bottom tip of the shoe (see photos). This is very ...
tittaenälg's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
1k views

Is it safe to depend only on a prusik?

This weekend I got myself into (for me) a hairy situation while rappelling. I got to a set of rap anchors that I needed to transfer to in order to get down to the next ledge, so I transferred myself ...
ijustlovemath's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
150 views

How can I identify the woman interviewing Alex Honnold at the beginning of Free Solo? [closed]

The documentary Free Solo begins with footage of Honnold climbing and a voice over and cut to this interview, with the interviewer saying: Our next guest is a free soloing phenomenon, please welcome ...
Joshua Frank's user avatar
3 votes
4 answers
2k views

Has any late-starting climber (36 years old) ever accomplished anything noteworthy?

I started climbing a year ago, at the age of 36. I really enjoy the sport and try to climb a lot. However, lately I've been thinking if it is possible to achieve anything (worthy of mention) for ...
Alexander's user avatar
  • 1,748
6 votes
3 answers
517 views

Top rope installation on an anchor

Let's suppose we have two bolts which are connected with a chain and a ring for rappelling at the top of a climbing route and we would like to install a top rope setup. I hear on a monthly basis that ...
cerv21's user avatar
  • 959
1 vote
1 answer
736 views

Influence of little finger length on climbing performance

Is there any scientific study in climbing which investigates the length of the little finger compared to the middle finger in terms of climbing performance on a professional level (grade > 5.12)? ...
cerv21's user avatar
  • 959
5 votes
2 answers
538 views

Is there a resource for learning ethics/etiquette of outdoor climbing?

Does there exist a book, website, or article that codifies the rules/ cultural norms/ ethics/ etiquette of outdoor climbing. Things like the first party to the base has dibs (as opposed to the first ...
adeadhead's user avatar
  • 126
4 votes
1 answer
319 views

Liquid chalk spill on climbing gear

So we were climbing today with some friends and an accidental liquid chalk explosion occurred in one of the backpacks. Contents of said backpack include: carabiners, a nylon sling and the nylon ...
Momchill's user avatar
  • 143
2 votes
2 answers
254 views

How would you describe "leading a pitch" to lay people?

I'm working on a personal statement that turns on a challenging climbing trip in the Sierras and I'm having trouble conveying the story without relying on lingo, like "leading a pitch." In ...
nbogs's user avatar
  • 121
5 votes
3 answers
467 views

Multi-pitch sport climb: Rope too short for rappelling, but having a backup rope

Let's assume you're on a multi-pitch sport climb with a pitch length of 40m and you know how to rappel using an ATC. The single rope you are climbing on is 50m. After 35m you are not able to continue. ...
cerv21's user avatar
  • 959
7 votes
1 answer
463 views

Climbing indoors: emergency situations

We should always do the partner check and tie a stopper knot, but... Lead climbing: If you are half-way up a climbing wall and see that your knot, which attaches you to the harness is loose/untied/...
cerv21's user avatar
  • 959
-2 votes
1 answer
364 views

Yosemite bowline - stopper knot?

I would like to switch to the Yosemite bowline knot. I don't want to compare the pros and cons of figure 8, double bowline and Yosemite bowline. I am interested in single-pitch climbs and gained some ...
cerv21's user avatar
  • 959
9 votes
3 answers
773 views

Best uses for a twist-lock carabiner

I've been shopping for a tri-state self-locking carabiner for clipping into personal anchors but made a mistake and ordered a twist-lock 'biner instead :) Since product return is a hassle during those ...
Alexander's user avatar
  • 1,748
6 votes
2 answers
300 views

Rappelling using the Munter hitch - stopper knot at the end of the rope?

Usually I rappel using a tubular belay device such as an ATC and tie a stopper knot at the end of each strand of the rope such as a fisherman’s knot. Is there a safety knot which you can tie before ...
cerv21's user avatar
  • 959
6 votes
1 answer
275 views

Can a full body harness help reduce the chances of suspension trauma?

Those who are well-versed with rock-climbing (and other variants of climbing) are aware of the dangers posed by Suspension Trauma. Here at The Great Outdoors there had been a healthy discussion on ...
WedaPashi's user avatar
  • 31.7k
6 votes
4 answers
1k views

Why do the GriGri and rope tie into different points on a rock climbing harness?

As far as I understand: When you're climbing, you tie your rope through your harness' 2 tie-in points, using a figure 8 knot. When you're belaying, you tie your GriGri or ATC to a carabiner that goes ...
Alexander's user avatar
  • 163
1 vote
3 answers
1k views

Munter hitch + prusik for rope solo lead climbing

Disclaimer This is a question regarding a theoretical technique, and not a tutorial, advice or recommendation. This technique has not been tested, and might potentially be completely unsafe. Climbing ...
LeonTheProfessional's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
465 views

Alternating between twin and half rope technique

Is it possible to change within one pitch the climbing style from twin to half rope mode or vice versa? The assumption is that the ropes are certified as twin and half ropes.
cerv21's user avatar
  • 959
2 votes
1 answer
193 views

Dynamic belaying in trad climbing

In the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0GGsBgPic4 they say at 10:49 that you should forget dynamic belaying in trad climbing, because falling more causes more stress on the gear. Is this ...
cerv21's user avatar
  • 959
9 votes
2 answers
393 views

How do UIAA falls add up over time?/When to replace a rope

How do lead climbing falls add up over time based on their fall ratings? For example, the rope I have is rated to 8 UIAA falls. A UIAA fall is a fall factor of 1.77. Lets say over the course of a ...
Parker owen's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
207 views

Where can I find videos of rock climbing competitions?

I'm working on a school project where I'm trying to analyze rock climbing videos. Does anyone know where I can find a good source of rock climbing videos? Ideally, I'm looking for videos with as ...
A Poor's user avatar
  • 129
7 votes
1 answer
179 views

Historical data about rock climbing / bouldering ascents

I am always interested in the history of rock climbing. Lately, I tried to collect data about male and female first ascents to visualize progression in rock climbing over time (I have a small blog ...
Arne's user avatar
  • 401
9 votes
1 answer
538 views

Earliest in the year one could deep water solo in Majorca?

I'm planning to go deep water soloing in Majorca as soon as weather conditions will allow it, I don't mind cold water as long as it's reasonably warm outside (~20°C). Since I'll probably be ...
Alberto Zaccagni's user avatar

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