Author Description

Climbing is the activity of using one's hands, feet, or any other part of the body to ascend a steep topographical object. It is done for locomotion, recreation and competition, and within trades that rely on ascension; such as emergency rescue and military operations. It is done indoors and out, on natural and man-made structures. Professional mountain guides or rock climbing guides, such as members of the IFMGA, have been known to be a historically significant element of developing the popularity of the sport in the natural environment, and remain so today. Climbing became an Olympic sport for the first time in the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo (see Sport climbing at the 2020 Summer Olympics). Although these are all different activities, they have a common theme of utilising the sustained use of hands and legs to support the climber's balance and weight. Success in rock climbing is achieved by reaching a particular summit or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling. In professional rock climbing competitions, participants are tested on the speed they complete a climbing route in or by achieving the farthest point on an increasingly difficult route. Although climbing is considered an extreme sport, it still requires all of the same physical attributes of mainstream sports. However, the different challenges, excitement and adrenaline rush are the factors that make it so popular. For safety reasons, participants cannot commence climbing unless they have received training from a qualified trainer, have a good understanding of the correct climbing techniques and use the specialised climbing equipment necessary for the task. A climbing harness keeps you tethered to a climbing rope. This one from Black Diamond has been my go-to since the beginning of 2018. It's well-padded and super comfy, and the fixed leg loops have never given me trouble. It has enough gear loops for carabiners and quickdraws to lead and follow on sport