Rock Climbing – Christmas Gift Ideas

We all know someone who’s idea of a good time is hanging off cliffs. If you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas for a rock climbing enthusiast, here’s some unique rock climbing gift ideas.

Rock Climbing Gift Ideas

You can always tell a rock climber by their appearance. White chalk fingers, bleeding knuckles, bent fingers and…a grin a mile wide. Whether they are climbing in indoor climbing gyms or hanging off Half Dome in Yosemite, rock climbers are very receptive to rock climbing gifts. Here are a few gift ideas that will make you a favorite with them.

1. Rock Climbing Gym – Most metropolitan areas now have rock climbing gyms. These gyms are typically indoor areas where rock climbers can work on their techniques. Walls come in a variety of terrains and with differing holds. Membership costs range all over the place, but climbers will love the gift. This is a particular good rock climbing gift idea for people living in big cities and who can’t head off for an afternoon of knuckle crunching.

2. Climb International DVD – The Climb International DVD is a highly recommended financial planning tool for rock climbers. Why? Well, the DVD contains climbs from exotic locations such as Thailand and China. After watching the DVD, the average rock climber will suddenly start saving every penny from their paycheck, rolling nickels and generally being as cheap as possible. The goal? To save enough money to travel to these locations for a personal rock climbing adventure. The DVD can be a bit hard to find. Search for it by name on any search engine and you should be able to find it. Expect to pay roughly $20 for this mouth watering movie.

3. Build Your Own Indoor Climbing Wall – You have to be very careful when giving this gift. This book gives step by step instructions on how to build an indoor climbing wall. This, of course, requires one to have a space in which to build said climbing wall. Basements and garages are typical locations, much to the chagrin of spouses. Personally, I wouldn’t put my name on the “from” section of the gift card. You can expect to pay $10 or so for this evil little book.

4. Climbing Holds – Climbing holds are plaster molds that are put on a climbing wall. They come in all kinds of vicious shapes, which are perfect for bending fingers in truly unnatural positions. If you know someone who has built a climbing wall in their garage or house, this is a perfect gift. Since each climbing hold is more or less unique, just pick the ones that grab your fancy. They come in a wide range of prices, so it is often best to shop by what you can afford. Helpful Tip: Look closely at the holds. If you can’t imagine how a hand would possible hold onto a particular hold, that is the one to buy!

5. Nomad Rock Climbing Journals – A little self-promotion. Nomad Rock Climbing Journals are great gifts for rock climbers. These writing journals allow climbers to keep track of their climbs, impressions, people the climbed with, routes and any additional information they feel necessary. Over time, the climbing journals become a history of climbs and a great keepsake. A great Christmas gift, you can see the rock climbing journals by clicking the link in the byline of this article and expect to pay $25 for the journal with case.

As you know, there is simply no way to keep a climber from climbing. You might as well give in and give them a Christmas climbing gift.

Author: Richard Chapo
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Mountain, Ice, and Rock Climbing Gift Ideas

Some people just have the urge to climb up and up. If you’re giving gifts to a climber, here are a few mountain, ice and rock climbing gift ideas.

Climbing Gifts

You can usually identify a climber at an early age. You come home from work and the energetic two year old is hanging from the top shelf of the bookcase. By the age of five, they’ve progressed to hanging off the edge of the roof and you’re on a first name basis with your doctor. Don’t even ask about the teenage years!

Since you can’t beat a climber, you might as well give in to their passion. Here are few climbing gift ideas.

1. Avalanche Beacon – A new climbing toy is an invitation to climb. Since yours will come in the form of a Christmas gift, the climber can be expected to immediately climb mountains, rock walls or iced over waterfalls. Don’t try to stop them. Just give them an avalanche beacon, an electronic device that sends out a signal if they happen to bring the mountain down on top of them. Backcountry is a good brand. You can expect to pay $100 to $300 to keep them alive.

2. Grip Strengthener – When it comes to hanging off the side of a cliff, the ability to grip the wall is literally the key to life. A grip strengthener is a device climbers can carry around with them to build up their grip by repetitively squeezing the resistance device. Grip Master is a good brand. You can expect to pay $15 to $20.

3. AvaLung – Back to our avalanche theme. Having an avalanche beacon is all well and good, but it doesn’t really help if you can’t breath while waiting for rescuers. The AvaLung is a very cool device that draws air directly from snow packs and lets climbers breath in the life giving air even if they’re under ten or twenty feet of snow. Black Diamond is the best brand and you can expect to pay $100 or so.

4. “Fifty Favorite Climbs” by Mark Kroese. – This is an excellent book for climbers. The book lays out 50 climbs in North America and can be used as a “to do” list by even the best climbers. The book comes with narratives, photographs and detailed route descriptions. An excellent gift that will set you back $30 or so at any major bookstore.

5. Nomad Climbing Journals – A little self-promotion. Nomad Climbing Journals are great gifts for climbers. These writing journals allow climbers to keep track of their climbs, impressions, people the climbed with, routes, contact information and any additional information they feel necessary. Over time, the climbing journals become a history of climbs and a great keepsake. A great Christmas gift, you can see the journal by clicking the link in the byline of this article and expect to pay $25 for the journal with case.

As you know, there is simply no way to keep a climber from climbing. You might as well give in and give them a Christmas climbing gift.

Author: Richard Chapo
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Rock Climbing Tips – Instructions to Follow For a Safe Rock Climbing

Rock climbing has now becoming a popular sport among many people who would love to adventure combined with getting fit. This sport can be done outdoor by climbing mountains anywhere in the world or indoor by going to gyms that specializes with this kind of sports. Before you can actually climb, you will be needing tutorials that can teach you to learn some skills and techniques in climbing.

Techniques in rock climbing will help you determine you level when it comes to height and stamina. There are specific routines that will discover your level of skills. Some rock climbing routines will require more technical skills as compared to those that are more simple and easier.

By learning the proper skills, you will know the proper movements and equipments needed for this sport. These instructions will help you prevent injuries or falling. Aside from skills, proper equipments and clothing are needed to keep you protected from any accidents or natural conditions. You may also hire a coach or an expert to teach you the proper techniques and guide you as you flourish this skill.

Be engaging in these types of sports, you may be able to face your fears, get over your trauma with heights, set your limits to its extreme capabilities and expand your horizons as with getting fit is concerned. However, being safe should always be your top priority. Be sure that you are physically, emotionally and mentally prepared for these kinds of sports before you actually go into climbing.

Author: Rock Joseph
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Rock Climbing Tips – Different Techniques in Rock Climbing

For those who have not tried rock climbing, there are certain techniques and skills needed to become successful in this sport. Before you can actually start to climb mountains, trainings and lessons are to be taken first. This will help you learn some techniques and skills needed for you to have a safe, fun and easy climb.

The first technique you should know is to plan your climb. In other words, you must be prepared when you are to climb whether low or high mountains. Rock climbing is a mental and physical game wherein your stamina will be tested. Therefore, prepare for the climb by taking physical exercises to improve your strength and stamina. And know how the route will go. By doing this, you may know what climbing techniques you need to use during your climb.

Another technique is to complete all gears and equipments needed for a safe climb. There are always gears needed for you to avoid getting injured. Be sure that you have them all. Before climbing, check everything you need like axes, ropes, water and gears. These will all help you have a safe way up to the top.

And lastly, presence of mind should always be practiced. Do not rush into climbing those rocks. Plan your next step and take the time rest or relax. This will give more stamina and safe steps. Also, be observant of the other climbers and see where a difficult route may be experienced so that you can prepare for it.

Author: Rock Joseph
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Be a Rock Climbing Guide

Rock climbing is as popular as cricket these days. More and more youngsters are falling for the sport. The excitement, till and the rawness that the sport has attracts people who have an inclination towards adventurous activities. Unfortunately, there are so many accidents that are reported every year, where the climbers are injured or even killed. Listening to such news, the first thing that hits anyone’s mind would be “rock climbing is a dangerous sport”. It is a challenging sport, this is true but is dangerous is a wrong notion. The reason is that if you would dig deep around such accidental news, you would realize that the climbers fell pray to the situations as they were not ready for the same. Inadequate information and ignorant about the concerns that could be faced there could result in such tragedies.

Climbing is challenging and fun and most specifically, it is for people who are physically fit & are ready to combat all the situations. Having said that you need a guide to have an excitement filled climbing experience. The people who are new to the sport are slowly and steadily realizing the importance of the same and ensuring that they have hands on these before they go for rock climbing. If you are a veteran rock climber you could be a guide as well. You could share your experience and expertise that you have in the sport after clearing certain required procedures. By doing this you would be safeguarding others from a potential danger while rock climbing and in the process you could be earning well. As the demand for rock climbing is increasing so is the demand for guide. Being that you could really make a good living.

Author: Rock Joseph
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Rock Climbing Guide Preparing You For the Unknown and Unseen

Rock climbing is becoming more and more popular these days. People are getting attracted to the sport as it has the maximum trill. Secondly, it gets you really close to the nature as well. Above all this is a sport that would give you a feel that you could survive no matter how hard the situations are around. As while rock climbing you would not have the luxury of your couch or your air conditioners. All you would be exposed to would be the falling degrees as you would go higher and the Rock Mountains. But, the people who have tasted the adventure would not hesitate to go for it again.

On the other hand the people who have not tried their hands on climbing might take their own time. If you are one of those who want to go for climbing but are not able to release your fear then you might want to use a rock climbing guide to fix your apprehension. You could easily find the climbing guide online. By downloading these for free or at a nominal cost you would be able to know all that you need to be prepared for. The climbing guide is an initiative that helps not only the first time rock climbers but also the once who have experienced the sport before. But it is highly recommended if you are going for rock climbing for the first time. This would help you garner the courage as well as the equipments and other required stuff that you might require while rock climbing. There is no other way of playing absolutely safe other than using a guide when you decide to taste the sport.

Author: Rock Joseph
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Rock Climbing Guide is Indispensable If You Are New to the Sport

Rock climbing is fun and excitement. These days we are so caught up with the day to day activities that we have forgotten fun. The nature has so much to offer and we on the other hand do not have time enough to appreciate its beauty. If you really want to enjoy the beauty then you must attempt climbing. There could be noting more charming and challenging at the same time as climbing. This could be a way that you could be really near to the nature, climbing mountains and experiencing all the raw wild nature’s facet.

A rock climbing guide could really get you every thing you need to know about rock climb in case this would be your first attempt. The common things that you need to be fit and physically strong; the oxygen level as you go higher would decreases; the higher you go the temperature would decrease etc would be known to all. But a rock climb guide would tell you so many more things that you possibly couldn’t have known otherwise. Let’s face is though rock climbing is exciting and adventurous but the fact that it is a dangerous sport can’t be denied. This is why it becomes indispensable for you to have a climbing guide as you decide to experience the thrill. There could be so many unanticipated concerns or situations that might raise their head, but if you would have a rock climbing guide to your side you would know how to fix that and pass on.

Author: Rock Joseph
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Rock Climbing Tips – How to Stay Safe and Have Fun in This Exciting Sport

The first thing you should do before any climb is to get warmed up and do some stretching. Climbing is a sport that is physically demanding and warming up properly will help prevent fatigue and injury which is the last thing you want when you’re on the side of a mountain.

Before you start your climb its also a good idea to plan ahead. Study your possible route before you ever lace up your boots. Once you’re on the rock it’s a good idea to plan several moves ahead. It’s possible to climb yourself in to a position that is very difficult to get out of. Doing so would be very dangerous so it’s very important to have a plan before you make a move.

One of the best rock climbing tips to keep in mind is to use your legs more than your arms. Your legs are much stronger than your arms and they are able to hold your weight all day long. Whenever possible try to avoid pulling yourself up with your arms and rather push yourself up with your legs. Your arms should be used more for stability and balance than for pulling yourself up the rock face.

Always climb with a partner. A good climbing partner is worth their weight in gold. They may have skills that you do not yet possess. It’s also a good idea to have someone else with you in case you get into trouble. One of the safest climbing techniques, belaying, actually requires that you have a partner. The person on belay is the one climbing and it is the partner’s, or belayer’s, responsibility to remove slack from the rope so that if the climber falls, they will only fall the distance of the slack in the rope.

These rock climbing tips are a good start but it’s also a good idea to get some proper instruction before starting to climb. There are a lot of things to learn in order to keep yourself safe in this sport. You’ll have to be familiar with the jargon that people use, various climbing techniques, knot tying, etc. Follow these tips, stay safe, and enjoy your climb.

Author: Rock Joseph
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Training For Rock Climbing at the Extremes

Training for rock climbing at the top level requires the development of a huge amount of stamina and strength on the part of the climber. Whereas moderate strength and fitness are more than adequate for the easy to middle grade climber, trad climbs in the E9 grades or 5.14d big wall epics demand athleticism and dedication on a par with any Olympian.

Preparing yourself – your body and your mind – to engage in high standard climbing requires dedicated application to some very specific climbing training regimen. Mental and physical conditioning is necessary in order for you to enjoy and benefit from overcoming the challenges of rock climbing as the gymnastic style movements frequently take place in stressful situations with the potential for long and serious falls.

Whether you engage in extreme, trad or sport on rock; ice climbing or mixed climbing, you must include strength and stamina training as part of your rock climbing training exercises. This will keep you fit and ready to get the most out of your climbing and will keep you physically ready to push yourself towards more difficult and challenging climbs.

In training for rock climbing, parallel bar and balance beams have started to appear in some climbing wall or climbing gym setups, alongside the now normal array of beast boards, system boards, circuit boards and the ubiquitous leading and bouldering walls. The variety and scope of training facilities available to the modern climber are stunning.

Extreme rock climbing enthusiasts have developed a range of strategies for preparing themselves for specific climbs, even going to the extreme of modeling particularly difficult sequences of rock climbing holds on their own indoor “woodies” (indoor climbing wall built at home frequently from sheets of heavy duty plywood). For most climbers aiming to develop their extreme climbing skills, a more general training program is required.

As well as the obvious need for as much climbing at the edge of your ability as possible, it is necessary to identify your strengths and weaknesses and then to target the weaknesses in your performance envelope. Training can then be focused on these areas using the walls, boards and gym equipment to isolate and develop specific patterns of muscle recruitment and particular hold techniques and movements.

If you have identified a weakness in your ability to hang on to crimps, you can set up a system board with a set of crimp style holds on it and develop a routine for improving that specific skill. Other skills may well suffer slightly in the short term, but you will eventually develop as an all round climber.

When getting into training for rock climbing, the obvious areas of concentration are your arms, legs, shoulder muscles, and overall endurance. But what has become a key issue now in climbing at ever higher standards is the importance of your core strength. High standard climbing demands extreme power sometimes to be applied in outlandish positions. Without exceptional core strength and stability, it is impossible for the arms and legs to apply their power in a direction that works on some of the available but unfriendly holds. This is part of the reason some of the more traditional gymnastic equipment such as beams, parallel bars and rings have started to put in an appearance in the training rooms at the more forward looking climbing centres. Training for rock climbing has never had the potential to be so effective.

Author: Ray Cassidy
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The Many Flavours of Rock Climbing With and Without the Rope

Basically, there are three main types of rock climbing: traditional (trad), sport climbing and artificial. Within the two, however, are several climbing sub-categories due to the geological rock formations and the creative and rebellious streak that characterizes climbers. Advanced knowledge and information about the crag, rock formation, or mountain you plan to climb; are crucial to planning and executing your climb with a reasonable margin of safety and comfort.

Generally, rock climbing techniques are dictated by the topography and features of area where you intend to climb. There is a big “However” though: you should also be aware of the wide variety of local “ethics” that pervade this sport and give it its eclectic streak. More of that in future articles.

Traditional Climbing – most often referred to these days as trad: considered to be the most environmentally friendly and purest roped form of climbing, but not necessarily the safest because the climber places all the required gear as they climb and remove it as they progress, leaving nothing behind.

Sport Climbing – a climbing style where safety gear in the form of bolts in the rock, are permanently attached to the rock along the determined route and the climber simply has to clip and go! This is both a discipline in its own right and serves as tremendous training for other “flavours” of the sport.

Free Climbing – includes both the previous disciplines above and covers any climbing style where the climber uses safety gear such as the rock climbing rope to prevent injury but relies on physical fitness, strength, balance and ability to perform the climb in contrast to the sport and aid-climbing styles.

Bouldering – climbing low level “problems” rather than routes, without the use of ropes. Frequently this is also done with a partner (spotter) at the bottom who can direct an in-flight climber away from waiting hazards. Particularly high problems or those with a serious, nasty landing are often referred to as “highball” problems.

Free Soloing – considered as the most dangerous rock climbing technique since the climb is executed without using any safety gear.

Deep Water Soloing – a free solo climb where the rock face is situated above a deep body of water that can protect (?) the climber from serious injury in case of a fall.

Rope Soloing – another flavor of rock climbing, where the climber starts a route with the rope tied off so that they can belay themselves as they progress along the route. This is very tricky to set up safely.

Top-Roping – the safest type of rock climbing, and is highly recommended for the beginner because an anchor at the top of the route allows the belayer to manage the rock climbing rope as it runs to the climber below.

Bottom-Roping – this is a variation of the previous style, much loved by outdoor instructors as it allows safer management of large groups from the bottom of the crag and can be organised to give participants a much higher degree of involvement in the activity.

Lead Climbing – the leader climbs from the start point with his rope while the second climber belays him. The leader establishes safety points as they progress through the climb. The second climber catches up with the lead climber at every point; in this type of climb, both climbers belay each other as they progress.

Simultaneous Climbing – considered as a form of traditional climbing where two climbers progress up a route at the same time to cover easier (usually) ground rapidly with the partners switching roles as lead climber and second as their tempo dictates.

Aid Climbing – as the climber ascends, gear is placed at regular intervals along the route and used to aid the climber’s progress. This can be as simple as pulling on a sling or involve some incredibly technical and sketchy progress via tape ladders and marginal skyhook placements. Gear and rope are utilized to aid the climber reach each point of the climbing route.

Solo Aid Climbing – the climber attempts to free climb as much as possible and use a harness as may be required but no rope. It is at the climber’s discretion whether or not to use the gear to aid in the climb.

As with any other type of sport, getting geared up correctly allied to preparing physically and mentally is the right way to approach any style of climb where you will be challenged.

For those wanting to learn how to rock climb, there is a bewildering array of tuition available. One of the best ways to learn the ropes is to join a climbing club. Here the experienced climbers can mentor you in the basics; one step at a time and educate you in the right choice of equipment. Critically, you will be shown the black arts of managing your rock climbing rope safely and efficiently.

Just as importantly they will immerse you in the strange counter culture that is climbing and infuse you with their own particular flavour of arcane rock climbing “ethics.”

Author: Ray Cassidy
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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