ROCK CLIMBING SAFETY AND ESSENTIAL SKILLS

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Created for Vertical Frontier Climbing Club Erik Kloeker 2011

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Disclaimer
The act of Rock Climbing is inherently dangerous in nature. By receiving proper instruction and demonstrating all the proper safety precautions we can greatly reduce the risk involved, however equipment failure and human error during rock climbing can result in serious injury. In order to participate in Rock Climbing you must take responsibility for your own safety and assume all of the risks involved. This presentation is intended to be an informational introduction to rock climbing safety and is not a substitute for 5/2/12

The Climbing Rating Scale AKA The Yosemite Decimal System

All

rock climbing is classified 1. under the category 5 and is 2. rated using a decimal system. 3. For example 5.1 would be the easiest possible rock climb the rating for hardest climbs are always increasing and are 4. currently in the 5.14-.5.15 range.

5.1-5.6 Easy

5.7-5.9

Walking Hiking Scramblin g: hands required Dangerou s scramblin g: falls can be 5.10-5.12 5/2/12 Pro 5.13+ fatal

Types of Climbing

is the simplest type of climbing it involves climbing short technical routes with no harness or ropes and only pads for protection from falls. Top Roping- is the safest form of climbing taller rocks Zach Davis lead climbs at the Red River Gorge and involved using a rope through anchor points type Trad Climbing- a at the of climbing top of the route and a in which a climber leads up a route belayer on the ground similar to Sport Climbing except arresting your fall.

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Bouldering-

Essential Gear
The only thing you really need to start rock climbing is a pair of climbing shoes, and these can be rented. You will find all other equipment can easily be borrowed from other climbers, however since shoes must fit very exactly, they are usually difficult to borrow. You will want your first pair of climbing shoes to be a comfortable all around shoe. Rock Climbing shoes typically cost anywhere from $50 to over $100. . what people may have told you Vibram Five Despite

Fingers are NOT good shoes for Rock Climbing!

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Essential Gear (cont.)

will find that Rock Climbers are generally willing to let you use/share all the other gear necessary for you to climb. In addition to this VFCC has all the equipment you will need (besides shoes) to go climbing. You will find however that once you are hooked on rock climbing you will want to start purchasing some of your own gear. Once you have shoes the next things you should consider buying are a harness, chalk bag and a belay device/carabiner.
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You

Communication
Good Communication while climbing is absolutely imperative to the safety of you and your climbing partners, poor communication is a number one cause of accidents while climbing. When climbing or belaying be clear and loud with your commands. If you are not climbing do no distract those who are belaying. There are several standard verbal commands that are universal among climbers. Take- There is too much slack in the rope, take some in. Falling-aI good idea to takethe name of your It is am about to say a fall, lock off your belay. 5/2/12 climbing partner before a command, this

Tying Into Your Harness

We

use the figure 8 follow through knot with a double fishermans backup knot when tying into a climbing harness. Be sure to tie into both the leg and waist loop points of the harness (not the belay loop.)

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Belaying
is the act of arresting a climbers fall. The most common belay device in use currently is called an ATC (pictured above). Belaying cannot be easily taught without in person instruction so in order to avoid confusion I will not discuss the technique in this presentation. Be aware that belaying for lead climbing takes special knowledge and you must have special certification before belaying someone on a lead climb with the club.
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Belaying

The Safety Check

should perform a safety check before every roped rock climb. Climber: If you are climbing, check to ensure your belayer has his harness on correctly and that the leg and waist straps are double backed. Also ensure that their belay device is set up correctly and carabiner locked. Belayer: If you are the belayer, check to ensure the climber has their figure 8 knot tied correctly and used a backup knot. Also ensure they are tied into their harness correctly using both points of the harness. Finally ensure that 5/2/12 their waist and leg straps have been double
You

Preventing Injuries

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Most Common Injuries

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Climbing Etiquette

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Hiking

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Backwoods Camping

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Clothing

When dress to go climbing we strive for unrestricted movement. Anything that might impede your movement, such as tight fitting jeans, should be avoided. Also be sure to keep the weather in mind.

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