Climbing is is the activity of using one's hands, feet, or any other part of the body to ascend a steep object. Humans do it for any number of reasons, but in this thread we're going to focus on recreational climbing. This OP will also focus at least initially on indoor climbing, but this might change as other posters offer input.
Of the various styles of climbing, helpfully outlined in this really handy Reddit wiki on r/climbing, the average climbing gym will offer bouldering, top rope, and sport/lead climbing.
Bouldering is done without a harness or rope, on relatively short sections of wall intended to drill power and technique.
![bouldering_wall.jpg]()
See the colored tape? Holds of a given color indicate a route, assigned a given grade from V0-V9 (or higher) to denote its difficulty based on factors such as the frequency and style of holds, advanced techniques required to complete the problem, whether the wall is straight or overhung, etc.
Top-roping uses a similar route-setting methodology and grading system as bouldering, though it uses something called the Yosemite Decimal System which was originally designed to rate trail hiking from easy walks to scrambles, etc. Most climbs you might encounter top-roping in a gym will be rated from 5.6-5.12.
Top-roping utilizes, you guessed it, a rope attached to the top of the route used to prevent injury during a fall. One end is tied to the climber's harness, while the other is run through a device worn by the belayer. The belay takes in rope as the climber ascends, and uses the belay device to lock the rope in the event of a fall, using their own body weight and/or an anchor to stop the falling climber. Climbing rope is dynamic and offers ~10% stretch, allowing such falls to be taken without whiplash or other injury.
![Top+Rope.jpg?format=800w]()
Some gyms also use auto-belays, which enable top-rope climbing without a partner.
![1416824924.jpg]()
Sport / Lead Climbing is similar to top-rope, except the climber carries the rope from the ground and clips into bolts as they ascend. This offers the potential for longer falls and requires more expertise.
![600_438803677.jpeg]()
Sounds dangerous! How do I start?
Go to a climbing gym! Staff are generally helpful and, for a drop-in price in the neighborhood of $25, will set you up with admission and a rental harness and shoes, as well as a tour of the gym and explanation of how things work. If you decide that you like it, definitely take a belay class! Being able to belay other climbers will make it easier to meet people. Ask for help when you need it, especially if you're unsure about something that could be related to safety.
Helpful Links:
NY Times article on the rise of gym climbing
Climbing Lingo
http://www.rockandice.com/climbing-accident-reports
http://mojagear.com/learn/2015/12/09/a-brief-history-of-rock-climbing/
Neil Gresham's Master Class is THE BEST Youtube series on climbing that exists:
![image]()
Requisite Inspirational Photo
![it-is-not-the-mountain-we-conquer-but-ourselves-23.jpg]()
Unhelpful Links
![image]()
Thanks to @Darkewolfe for help with the OP and inspiration to get a thread going. Everyone, please feel free to suggest changes or additions. I've only been climbing since late summer, and only been really into it since early December.
Of the various styles of climbing, helpfully outlined in this really handy Reddit wiki on r/climbing, the average climbing gym will offer bouldering, top rope, and sport/lead climbing.
Bouldering is done without a harness or rope, on relatively short sections of wall intended to drill power and technique.
See the colored tape? Holds of a given color indicate a route, assigned a given grade from V0-V9 (or higher) to denote its difficulty based on factors such as the frequency and style of holds, advanced techniques required to complete the problem, whether the wall is straight or overhung, etc.
Top-roping uses a similar route-setting methodology and grading system as bouldering, though it uses something called the Yosemite Decimal System which was originally designed to rate trail hiking from easy walks to scrambles, etc. Most climbs you might encounter top-roping in a gym will be rated from 5.6-5.12.
Top-roping utilizes, you guessed it, a rope attached to the top of the route used to prevent injury during a fall. One end is tied to the climber's harness, while the other is run through a device worn by the belayer. The belay takes in rope as the climber ascends, and uses the belay device to lock the rope in the event of a fall, using their own body weight and/or an anchor to stop the falling climber. Climbing rope is dynamic and offers ~10% stretch, allowing such falls to be taken without whiplash or other injury.
Some gyms also use auto-belays, which enable top-rope climbing without a partner.
Sport / Lead Climbing is similar to top-rope, except the climber carries the rope from the ground and clips into bolts as they ascend. This offers the potential for longer falls and requires more expertise.
Sounds dangerous! How do I start?
Go to a climbing gym! Staff are generally helpful and, for a drop-in price in the neighborhood of $25, will set you up with admission and a rental harness and shoes, as well as a tour of the gym and explanation of how things work. If you decide that you like it, definitely take a belay class! Being able to belay other climbers will make it easier to meet people. Ask for help when you need it, especially if you're unsure about something that could be related to safety.
Helpful Links:
NY Times article on the rise of gym climbing
Climbing Lingo
http://www.rockandice.com/climbing-accident-reports
http://mojagear.com/learn/2015/12/09/a-brief-history-of-rock-climbing/
Neil Gresham's Master Class is THE BEST Youtube series on climbing that exists:
Requisite Inspirational Photo
Unhelpful Links
DISCLAIMER
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT ROCK CLIMBING IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ACTIVITY. REGARDLESS OF ANY ADVICE YOU MAY RECEIVE WHILE USING THIS FORUM, IT IS YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE FULLY TRAINED TO HANDLE THE GREAT DEAL OF RISK INVOLVED IN CLIMBING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES.
Thanks to @Darkewolfe for help with the OP and inspiration to get a thread going. Everyone, please feel free to suggest changes or additions. I've only been climbing since late summer, and only been really into it since early December.