Due to the nature of the sport and the risks involved, climbing requires a great deal of training and experience. The equipment involved in climbing is not only to get you to where you want to go but also to protect you from injury and fatality.
There are many pieces of equipment but the first basic ones to familiarize yourself with is the karabiners (carabiners, or “biners”), rope harness and ropes. These are basic pieces of equipment for most styles of climbing, excluding the more dangerous style of free climbing.
Karabiners come in a variety of sizes and are made of durable yet light aluminum. There are two types of biners; locking and non-locking. The type you will use for your climb depends on the type of climb and thus the degree of safety required.
Non-locking biners are oval shaped and have a swing clasp opening. With the use of ropes, they are used as a stay to connect a rope harness, pitons and other gear. The rope is pushed against the clasp, enters the loop, and a spring action quickly closes the clasp.
Locking biners are very similar to non-locking ones but they provide an extra measure of security. There is a sleeve on the clasp that locks it into place after the rope is in the biner. While some are self-locking, most require a simple twist to secure and lock it.
Karabiners are made to hold your weight and that of your equipment. They will rarely break but it does happen especially in extreme cold weather. It is suggested to use two biners when attaching a rope harness.
The rope harness is another piece of basic equipment that is used in all styles of climbing. The harness is what cradles you while you are climbing and attaches you to the ropes with the use of biners. There are different types of rope harnesses and choosing the right one depends on the style of climbing you’ll be doing.
A sit harness is used for rock climbing and abseiling and is only worn around the chest and shoulders. There is a waist strap and two leg loops and it offers you freedom of movement. A chest harness is sometimes used along with the sit harness to prevent you from flipping around and to provide more stabilization. A full body harness is essentially a combination of the sit and chest harness. It provides less freedom of movement but is usually preferred by beginners since it gives the climber a higher sense of security.
Climbing is a sport that requires you to know the equipment inside and out. Doing so will ensure you have a safe and enjoyable climb.
