Climbing – Beauty in Motion

The sport of climbing has recently increased in popularity to the point where designer climbing spas and all levels of classes can be found in most major cities. Rock climbing and mountain climbing are the two top climbing sports, but ice climbing, indoor climbing, and spelunking (caving) are popular as well.

Spectacular footage in movies, along with the graphic depiction of the dangers of climbing, have given the sport an aura of high risk. Actually, the contrary is true, since climbing employs so much use of safety equipment. Like parachuting, fans of the climbing sports tend to take the dangers seriously, and therefore prepare more carefully, taking time to learn the art well before setting off on a climb.

Climbing can be divided into two categories, aided climbing or free climbing. Both use safety equipment, but "aided climbing" uses equipment to help the climber, where "free climbing" depends on hands, feet, flexibility, and the endurance of the individual climber.

There are many rock climbing centers where a novice can learn and practice. It's a good idea to try one of these rock climbing gyms before hitting K9. At these places you can get professional instruction and lots of information about places to go climb. They will also have the names of professional instructors who give one-on-one training. Lastly, they are great places to locate climbing buddies.

Rock climbers and mountaineers sometimes form teams for special events and competitions. It's a select group, usually comprised of individuals who also love river rafting, hiking and bicycling, or anything to do with the great outdoors. If you are really serious, you might seek out one of these teams.

Climbers have their own vocabulary, which is part of the training given in rock climbing classes. This vernacular is necessary to learn. An example is the word "belay," meaning securing a rope. Obviously, as you can imagine, this is the kind of vocabulary term that can come in very handy on a climb!

One of the very basic techniques a new climber will learn is how to use ropes. A good climbing rope, invariably made of nylon, is made to stretch to almost twice its original length before it breaks. Along with ropes comes the art of tying knots. There's a knot for every job, and climber's lives depend on them.

All climbers need some very basic equipment, besides ropes, to reach their lofty goals safely and efficiently. Good heavy-duty climbing shoes that protect the feet, fit well, and have the proper soles are essential. A climbing harness is a belt that goes around the climber's waist and thighs, and is used to hook onto the rope. Carabineers (the snap-rings used to hook a climbing rope onto an anchor), belay equipment, ascenders, descenders, webbing, and miscellaneous protection devices are all part of a climber's standard cache of equipment.

An experienced climber calls on all of his or her physical and mental attributes while climbing. The climber's character, balance, agility, and concentration are all called constantly into play. Once a climb is started, a commitment is made, and the requirement to constantly focus is intense and primary. A brief lack of focus can spell disaster for the hiker, and even members of his or her party.

One of the reasons rock climbing and mountaineering are so rapidly gaining in popularity is that the act of engaging in these consuming, challenging sports produces the same body chemistry as a good meditation session. When the mind and the body must become one, that's meditation in motion, a thing of beauty to see or experience.