The Sport of CLIMBING
By Wilfred Tok
Thursday, December 15, 2005
To set the record straight, scaling a plastic or natural rock wall nailed with pre-placed bolts is sport climbing, not ROCK climbing as it is commonly known. Rock climbing, also known as traditional free climbing, is done with leading equipment that is removable - leaving everything as it is without destroying and disfiguring the rock walls. With just a trusty set of equipment, protective gear and a healthy dose of confidence, you can explore mountains and cliffs just about anywhere in the world.
According to mountaineer, Mr Wilfred Tok, who is a member of the Singapore Mountaineering Federation, rock climbing started as hill-walking over 200 years ago in Europe.
"From hill-walking, people started to go onto more difficult terrain, higher hills and they realised that they needed more technical skills. Slowly, they developed skills and techniques that led to the basic rock climbing moves,"
"In the 1960s, the Americans took over the sport and developed it fully. But in the 80s, the Europeans raised the technical level of the climb till traditional climbing became impossible. It became necessary to pre-place equipment there first."
That marked the beginning of sport climbing - where people forget about traditional equipment and focus on the difficulty level and techniques instead. The other difference between rock and sport climbing is the extent of risk involved. In sport climbing, there is an established route, even in a natural setting, people who set up the route would know where all the rockfall and unstable rocks are - so the environment is more controlled.
In traditional climbing however, you have to tackle the unknown and on top of that, multi-task while plastered on the wall: thinking about safety, coping with fear, worrying about equipment placement, what the next step up is, and whether you have enough equipment
Climbing may not have written rules, but it does have a very strongly held code of conduct, for which each individual climber take a personal responsibility.
Climbing is essentially about choosing a particular line or route, to the top of a boulder, crag, cliff or mountain and then starting from the bottom ascending that route. To do it properly nothing but the rock must be used for hanging onto and the route must be climbed in it entirety. To stray onto an easier line next door means that you have not succeeded in your chosen climb.
There is no one to referee you. Only you and your partner will congratulate yourselves and only you will know whether you actually succeeded or not.
For the purists, nothing beats adapting to the walls of nature and finding a unique route up to the top. Feel the adrenaline coursing through your veins when you come face-to-face with majestic cliffs and rock faces that seem to stretch on forever into the sky. Feel the mix of excitement and fear when you attempt a move for that elusive handhold. And finally, feel the calming breeze on your face at the summit as the world lays at your feet.
Climber being protected by the belayer with proper used of safety climbing equipment
Basic Sport Climbing gears - Climbing Helmet, rock shoes, chalk bag, dynamic rope, a set of runners, harness, karabiners, belay device, slings.
Traditional leading gear (for advance technique) - A: Hexcentric, B: Tri-Cams, C: Wire Stoppers, D: Harden Steel Pitons, E: Spring Loaded Camming Devices, F: rope ascender, G: Nut key.
SAFETY FIRST
So to enjoy the climb with greater peace of mind, one must first be knowledgeable about the hazards that can be found climbing in the outdoors and take the proper precautions.
Cimbers need to go through the fundamental learning curve and not jump straight into the climbing difficult routes they cannot handle.
Climbing involves with risk is obvious to all, and this is an integral part of the activity. It is important for each individual to identify a personally acceptable level of risk. Minimising risks boils down to having the right level of skill and experience relative to the difficulty and seriousness of a given route or environment. When starting out choose the easiest routes available so that you are (hopefully!) still smiling when you finish them. In this way you find your limit by working up to it and so build a clear picture of the perceived and actual risks involved. Accidents often happen when people confuse these two very different concepts of risk. Some people think that they know everything after taking an course (perceived), but due to lack of practice or understanding, they forget and make mistakes (actual).
As an absolute minimum all climbers should be familiar with First Aid skills and basic emergency procedures, as outside help will always take time to arrive. Climbers should be especially aware that many serious accidents involve head injuries, and that wearing a helmet has on many occasions saved someone from more serious injury.
The best way is to take a proper course, after which you should climb with experienced climber who have the necessary skills and certifications, join clubs and societies to practice what you learnt at the course.
I would recommend progressing from “Discover Sport Climbing”, a half day clinic to “Introductory to Sport Climbing”, a full day program – Both for people with completely no experience. Then do about 5 - 6 months of practice before you go on to “Beginner Sport Climbing – Top Rope Technique", for people who are serious to learn climbing safely.
If you’re looking for an overnight outing, a 2 Days 1 Night Climbing Camp will be perfect weekends for your family or friends.
For those who are game for progression and more challenges. You may want to sign-up for “Intermediate Sport Climbing – Top Rope & Rappelling” and other advance programs. Participants will be introduced to: equipment, climbing techniques, belaying for top-roping. climbing communication and rappelling set-up, .. and more.
ensuring that her climbing shoes are a snug fit before making sure her climbing rope is well-secured. Finally, a dash of chalk powder to keep fingertips dry for a better grip
WHY WE LOVE IT ?
It is important to control more inexperienced climbers' access to the natural climbing site such as Kironggu quarry. The conditions there change throughout the year and it's definitely more dangerous. Example – rock fall. Creating awareness and educating the public about the sport of Climbing are important for the safety aspects. For additional safety purpose, a feedback mechanism should also be set-up so that seasoned climbers who see a change in the natural terrain can feedback useful info, which can then warn other climbers about condition of the quarry