Rock climbing - rope techniques - books about climbing

Rock Climbing
Find information, books and videos about climbing, including rope techniques, training and various forms of climbing

Home

Books

The Reasons To Get Into Rock Climbing
by Richard Chapo

You probably are aware of rock climbing and might wonder why it has gained in popularity to the point that you now have cruise ships with walls to practice on! Well, there are a number of reasons.

Perhaps the first reason climbing is picking up in popularity is the simple fact it is done outside. You can usually find somewhere to climb that is relatively near to your home. This gives you that sweet moment in time when you are outside communing with Mother Nature, not your cell phone, pda or whatever.

The second reason many get into the sport is the exercise factor. If you are like me, you get bored quickly if you are just doing reps or plodding along on a treadmill or some similar exercise equipment. This is why so many home exercise machines turn into expensive clothes hangers. With rock climbing, boredom is not a problem. Even the biggest cynic gets a rush from being up in the air on a vertical face.

While these are all good reasons, you can get the same outdoor exercise experience a lot of different ways. So, what is it that sets hanging from the side of some vertical surface apart from other outdoor activities? Well, it has to do with the personal challenge aspect of the sport.

Whether you realize it or not, you crave personal challenges. The problem these days is finding something that is truly personal. With rock climbing, this is not a problem. It is you and whatever vertical surface you are on. You either pull it off or you don't. This makes it a purely personal sport that you, and you alone, can succeed at or give up. There is something about that which gets most people going.

This certainly isn't intended to suggest that this has to be a solitary sport. Usually, you have at least one other person with you. More and more people, however, are pursuing it as a family outing. With rock climbing gyms popping up everywhere, it is even growing a social side where like minded people can meet. After you get proficient at the basics, you'll feel almost a Zen oneness with the structures you are climbing.

Rock climbing is a great sport, but it is often hard to explain to someone who has never tried it. If you are considering it at all, I strongly encourage you to have a go at it. You might just find that weekend activity you've been searching for your entire life. Just realize that you probably won't restrict it to just the weekends!

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of rock climbing journals to keep track of your climbs and routes

Find books about climbing

Handbook of Climbing by Alan Fyffe, Iain Peter, Hamish MacInnes
"a first class book that can answer any question you might have about climbing be it ice, rock or how to navigate to the crag.."

Training for Rock Climbing by Steve Bollen
"The author, an orthopaedic surgeon and keen climber himself, offers expert advice on how to improve performance and minimize the risk of injury.."

The Complete Guide to Rope Techniques by Nigel Shepherd
"Excellant book, covering just about everything you need to know about climbing rope work and then some.."

How to Rock Climb by John Long
"This book is a great book to start with. It briefly adresses most all skills in the world of rock climbing. It is well illustrated.."

The Mountain Skills Training Handbook by Pete Hill, Stuart Johnston, Nigel Williams
"Designed for instructors and climbing enthusiasts, the techniques, methods and tips described and illustrated here have derived from the authors' own experience.."

K2: One Woman’s Quest for the Summit by Heidi Howkins
"considered one of the ultimate challenges for professional high-altitude climbers, a mountain that eschews mere luck and demands both physical and mental fortitude.."

Chris Bonington’s Everest by Chris Bonington
"Chris Bonington, Britain's best known climber, celebrates in words and pictures the 50th anniversary of the conquest of the world's highest mountain"

Sir Edmund Hillary & the People of Everest
Anne B. Keiser, Cynthia Ramsey, HRH Prince Philip (Introduction)
"Describes Hillary's ascent to the summit of Mount Everest and his lifelong relationship with the Sherpas"

Climb Pete Takeda, Jack Dickason (Illustrator)
"learn the tricks of the pros.... Climb! covers bouldering, sport climbing, wall climbing, trad climbing, ice climbing, alpinism, and more.."

Make money from your hobby
“Using your present hobby or favorite pastime as your business base has many benefits. Why? Because any business you decide to become involved in should be doing something you LOVE something you believe in, something that you would work at NO MATTER what income it would generate...” read more

More articles about climbing

Traditional climbing: Getting started

The rewards of climbing

Introduction to climbing

Getting started in competitive climbing

Finger and back/arm strength

Climbing on loose rock

Altitude sickness and AMS, prevention and treatment

Websites related to climbing

www.climbingclub.co.uk
Definitive web site for rock climbing & mountaineering in the UK and Europe. Secure on-line shopping facility. Information on rock climbing humour, guidebooks, climbing walls, mountaineering huts and mountaineering clubs

www.rockclimbing.com
The website for climbers worlwide. Includes various articles, information on climbing areas around the world, useful links, chat room and a forum.

Climbing supplies

www.inglesport.co.uk
The caving specialists online store that provide climbing equipment, caving equipment, clothing and

www.cave-crag.co.uk
Climbing equipment for rock climbing, ice climbing, plus head torches, navigation, maps and mapping, slleping bags, tents and more.

World of Hobbies - the quick reference site for hobby books, dvd videos and hobby related information
Find books and information on sport climbing, ice climbing and rock climbing

Climbing related search terms: rock climbing techniques - wall climbing - rope techniques - books about climbing - high altitude climbing - rock climbing supplies - places to climb - ice climbing - mountaineering clubs - competitive climbing ....

Are you a hobbyist?
Hobby tools, equipment and materials suppliers directory

World of hobbies site map