Few things seem more freeing than scaling a great mountain face. It is you against nature--simple concept, serene environment. Well, this very zen feeling can be accomplished only with a surprisingly large arsenal of mountain climbing gear. Before any climber can set out on a wild adventure, this list of gear for mountain climbing must be fulfilled. read more
Rappelling, the act of descending steep faces by sliding down a rope, is one of the most dangerous activities a climber can do. Many climbs can only be descended by rappelling. While it looks fun (and sometimes it is), climbers die in rappelling accidents every year. Rappelling is the one thing a climber does in which she relies completely on her equipment.… read more
Rappelling is the act of using ropes to make your way down the faces of steep rock formations. Done correctly, rappelling can be a very quick and safe way of getting from the top of a rock to the ground. Rappelling also can be extremely unsafe if you lack experience and patience. The basics of rappelling are simple enough to understand in theory, but always… read more
Climbing is an inherently dangerous sport. Safety precautions involving specialized equipment and methods reduce the risk of injury or death. An important safety method is belaying. You can belay without a belay device, but today it is standard equipment on a climber's rack. During a fall, the belay device grips the rope and stops the downward movement of th… read more
Today's dynamic rock-climbing ropes are designed to withstand more stress than a falling rock climber can actually generate. Despite this fact, selecting the right climbing rope for your rock-climbing adventures can still be the difference between life and death. Even in less dire circumstances, having the wrong rope for the route can turn a perfectly good c… read more
A carabiner is your lifeline when climbing. Carabiners attach your rope to the mountain, they attach your belay device to your harness and they keep all of your crucial gear attached to you when taking longer climbs. Without a working… read more
Climbing harnesses are designed in a variety of weights, sizes and thicknesses, but all share common characteristics and parts. Climbing harnesses are specifically rated for strength and to hold a certain amount of weight. Only strengt… read more
Rappelling may not seem difficult, but it can get complicated. Setting up correctly is a matter of safety and tossing the rope is the first step in a safe and fun rappel. Having an anchor and block and using the correct side of the rop… read more
While to some rappelling is a sport in its own right, for climbers it is often the most expeditious way of descending from a climb. A climber's rappel is often much slower and thus both safer and less exciting than the rope-whizzing de… read more
There are many types of carabiners and they have many uses, including contributing to the safety systems in rock and ice climbing, mountaineering, spelunking, and rescue techniques. Among other uses, carabiners can be used for belaying… read more
The climbing rope is the lifeline of the rock climbing partnership. It's what connects the climber with her belayer, and it's what keeps a person from hitting the ground if she falls. Without it, a climber is free soloing, which is not… read more
Climbing harnesses enable a person to climb on rock or ice or traverse glacial terrain in a safe manner. If you are using a climbing harness for the first time, there are a few things to be aware of, including the most important and ba… read more
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If you're interested in serious mountain climbing, your second priority (behind getting in great shape) must be obtaining proper equipment and gear. While state-of-the-art mountaineering gear is not always necessary, you must be sure y… read more
Whether you tie your own climbing harness out of 1-inch webbing or purchase a padded climbing harness from the store, the basic function remains the same: Connecting you to a climbing rope, which in turn is managed by a belayer, so if… read more
Rappelling is the act of using a device such as a figure 8 or ATC to safely and quickly slide down a rope. Rappelling is commonly associated with mountaineering and rock climbing, and is an essential skill for climbers to master. But i… read more
Ice climbing is a great way to enjoy the winter season, but it also requires some very specific gear. There is plenty of climbing gear that you can re-purpose if you are already a rock climber, but this list is designed to give you the… read more
On the surface, rock climbing seems to be a fairly straightforward sport--you find a rock, then make your way to the top of it. As with any sport, however, there are wide variations on the initial concept, and with those variations com… read more
Rock climbing is inherently dangerous. With proper gear and training the risks can be sufficiently reduced to enjoy climbing on a regular basis without fear of injury. Different types and styles of rock climbing require different types… read more
You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
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