Sports Climb

Expert’s Picks: Sports Climb

Sport Climb Difficulty Ratings

Sport climbing is a type of technical free climbing where climbers clip into permanent anchors that have been set into the rock face. Free climbing means that upward mobility is made using only hands, feet and other parts of the body rather than artificial means. Because sport climbing does not require placing removable protection, climbers can focus on the… read more
How to Set a Top Rope on a Sport Climb

Top ropes can easily be set on outdoor sport routes to allow other climbers to ascend the route without having to clip in. Top roping an outdoor route is particularly useful when you are climbing with younger or beginning-level climbers, or with a large group. Always practice and make sure that you are comfortable with the procedures before attempting to set… read more
How to Set Bolts for a Sports Climb

Setting bolts is a good way to hone your skills as a lead climber and challenge others to follow in your chalked-up footprints. Sport climbing is becoming a very popular style of rock climbing because the ease of clipping solid bolts easily outweighs the fear of placing uncertain gear. A surefire way to a successful and popular sport route is to have a good… read more
Tools Used in Rock Climbing

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 come a wide range of necessary tools. At its most basic, the sport requires only a pair of climbing shoes and a bag of chalk, an… read more
The Best Climbing Rocks

The United States is chock full of world-class climbing destinations. With so many to choose from, how do you know which spots offer the best climbing rocks around? From varied rock formations to the diversity of bouldering, sport climbing and trad climbing, there are better locations for each type of climbing pursuit across the country, all of which offer a… read more

Related Sports Climb Articles & Videos

How to Shop for Rock Climbing Gear

Knowing what gear to purchase for rock climbing is no small task when you think of the life-saving qualities your gear should have. Your rock climbing gear is what will be between you and the rock and more importantly, you and the grou… read more
How to Choose Rock Climbing Shoes

Rock climbing shoes can make a world of difference when you are climbing a route harder than a 5.7. According to professional gear tester Clyde Soles, you can gain an extra 10 percent in your performance by wearing a rock shoe that fit… read more
Basic Rock Climbing Equipment

Rock climbing has developed into several specialties including bouldering, sport, traditional and ice, to name a few. To enter this world of climbing, a certain amount of personal protective equipment and gear is required. The amount… read more
Types of Carabiners

There are four basic shapes to a carabiner: oval, D-shaped, asymmetric D-shape and pear or HMS. While shape once defined a carabiner, modern safety codes and design features have altered the way carabiners are categorized. Carabiners a… read more
How to Buy Climbing Shoes

Climbing shoes are an integral part of the sport of rock climbing. Much like running shoes help the runner perform better, climbing shoes help the climber perform with more precision. Equipped with "sticky rubber" that helps your feet… read more
Boreal Climbing Shoes Review

Boreal has long been one of the leaders in the rock shoe market. The Fire, launched in 1980, quickly became one of the most popular rock shoes in the world. Boreal currently makes 24 different models of rock shoes. Some, such as the Mu… read more
Things to Do in Canon City

Located west of Pueblo on US 50, Canon City, Colorado, has a mild climate and several stunning attractions. Perhaps the most notable is the Royal Gorge Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in the world, rising 1,053 feet above the Ark… read more
Rocky Mountain National Park Activities

Rocky Mountain National Park is located in the north central part of Colorado. The park features incredible mountain views and a wide variety of terrain from wooded forests to rocky peaks. The varied terrain provides many outdoor activ… read more
Safety Equipment for Climbing

Athletes participating in the sport of climbing accept that the sport has inherent risks, including but not limited to death. Correctly using proper safety equipment helps manage these risks, making what seems like a risky activity rel… read more
Nanaimo Hiking Clubs

Nanaimo and its environs offer hiking opportunities galore for trekkers at all levels of experience. If you're feeling intimidated by the quantity of options and don't know where to begin, a good way of getting to know the area's trail… read more
How to Store Climbing Ropes

Learning how to store climbing ropes is important for anyone who participates in sport climbing activities. Proper storage can help maintain the durability and strength of the climbing ropes over time. Choose a cool, dry place to store… read more
RV Parks Near Parachute, Colorado

Parachute, Colorado is a small town on I-70, between Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs. It was primarily built around the oil and gas mining industries, but the town also has fishing on the Colorado River and excellent hunting on Bat… read more
How to Climb Devils Tower

Located in the northeastern corner of Wyoming, adjacent to the Black Hills of South Dakota, Devils Tower was proclaimed the country's first national monument in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt. It rises 867 feet high, and is made… read more
Ways to Carry Your Climbing Rope

How you care for your climbing rope affects its performance and longevity. Since your climbing rope safeguards your life while you rock climb, aim to maintain it as best you can, not only in storage and while climbing, but also in tran… read more
Facts About the Mayan Ruins

The Mayan civilization flourished between 300 and 900 AD and consisted of over 40 thriving cities at its peak. Mayan ruins stretch across southern Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize. These areas cover beautiful terrains for outdoor… read more

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