A Day In The Life Of A Rock Climber
Outdoor Adventure
The sport of rock climbing is one of the most challenging adventures that can be pursued. Climbing higher and higher, it’s about testing your physical and mental endurance. Today, we take a look at a day in the life of a rock climber.
Setting Up the Anchors:
Anchors are ropes that must be set up to ensure your safety as you climb. There are two types of anchors: passive and active. Passive anchors are bomber holds or areas of rock that will not move with pressure applied from climbing, like large boulders or trees. Active anchors (bolts) require some sort of tool to screw them into place and must be reset for each climber; it is generally best to use an anchor system that includes both passive and active anchors.
Setting up anchors for any climb can be tricky because of how many different things you need. You need rope, fasteners, webbing or cord (of an appropriate length), locking carabiners, and some form of tensioning device such as ascenders, stirrups, or cams.
We then work together in pairs on setting up our first anchor before watching one more pair do theirs.
Belaying others:
The second rock climber or belayer’s job is to hold onto their rope while paying out slack so their partner can make their way safely to the next handhold.
Know when to call it quits:
Now and then I hear someone calling out ‘take’ which usually means they’re finished climbing for today. Those moments always feel good.
The First Pitch:
The first pitch is often the hardest and most intimidating. It’s typically short, 10-20ft high, but has some of the most challenging moves. One strategy for climbing your first pitch is to start from ground level, climb to 20 feet or so, get comfortable with at least one move then rappel back down and try it again.
The first pitch is relatively easy to climb in comparison to pitches two and three which can both be described as absolutely heinous, according to Bryson Kruel. He goes on to say that it only has about five or six moves but they are all hard as hell.
Most beginner rock climbers start with something more manageable such as top-roping at their local crag. This way you don’t have to lead so you have someone who already knows how to belay you, lowering your risk of being injured by an anchor system failure.
Rest Day
Most rock climbers will take one day off each week from climbing. Depending on what day you start your rock climbing adventure. Your rest day may be different than someone else who begins their rock climbing journey at a different time of year.
Rock climbing is just like anything else in life – you’ve got to give your body time to recover after all that hard work! After three intense days of rock climbing, take one day off from physical activity before getting back into it again. With these types of programs, it’s possible that climbers will have more than one rest day during their course, which will make rock climbing even more enjoyable when they can recharge their batteries and refresh their minds every now and then!
On Sunday I don’t have an alarm set, so I sleep until about 10 a.m. This gives me plenty of time to read, play video games on my computer, or watch TV with snacks in front of me while I’m sitting on my couch or recliner chair.
The pros are that it lets me wind down and relax. Also if I feel like going out later for some food there are no worries about feeling rushed or tired because I slept well last night.
Recommended Training:
Rock Acolyte
Perhaps you’ve taken our introductory rock climbing …
Rope Rigging
For those, aiming to become rock climbing …
Rock Bravura
Lead Trad Climbing is a technique of rock climbing…
Table of Content: