Rock Climbing Life

Socks are generally a must-have when it comes to footwear. Could you imagine running shoes, hiking boots, or ski boots without socks? Your toes and heels will be covered in blisters in just a few hours. In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of wearing socks when climbing so that you can make an informed decision on what's right for you. So, Do You Wear Socks With Climbing Shoes? Do You Wear Socks With Climbing Shoes?:  Most climbers aren't climbing at a high enough level where socks will impact their performance, provided they have the correct fitting shoe. So, wear them if you want to, and don't wear them if you don't want to. If you find that they benefit you somehow, then great, keep doing it! The History of Wearing Socks Or No Socks When Rock Climbing The tradition of not wearing socks when rock climbing started back in the 1970s. At that time, shoes were designed more for comfort than performance and were generally made of leath...

Breaking in new climbing shoes can be a frustrating process. It's often difficult to get the climbing shoes to conform to your feet, and it can take time and effort to make them feel comfortable. In this article, I'll provide a range of methods on how to break in climbing shoes so you can get the best fit possible. We'll also discuss other aspects of climbing shoes, such as how tight they should be. How to Break in Climbing Shoes: The Best Method With the right approach, breaking in new climbing shoes can be a breeze. However, there are a few things you need to do if you want to know how to break in climbing shoes properly; they are; wear them as often as possible, wear them when climbing, and have a little patience. Here is my step-by-step guide on how to break in shoes, even if they are boulder shoes or general climbing shoes: Step 1: Buy Shoes That Are Your Size Before we get into how to break in new climbing shoes, make sure they're the correct si...

Cleaning a climbing rope is essential for safety and to extend its life. There are a few ways to clean a climbing rope, but the most important thing is to be consistent in your cleaning routine. How to Clean a Climbing Rope (The Best & Easiest Way): Hand-wash your climbing rope in a tub with water and cleaning supplies explicitly made for ropes. Do not use regular detergent, as it will damage the rope. In this article, we will discuss how to clean a climbing rope using some of the most common methods: wet cleaning, dry cleaning and washing machine cleaning; as well as going over how you should take care of your rope and how to inspect it for damage. How to Clean a Climbing Rope Using Water (and some elbow crease) When fellow rock climbers ask me how to clean climbing rope, wet cleaning is the solution that I always suggest. How to clean rope using water:  You will need to use a mild soap and water solution. You can either hand wash the rope. Be sure to rinse...

Alex Honnold is one of the most accomplished and renowned climbers in rock climbing history. He is a name many people are familiar with, even if they do not consider themselves a climber, thanks to his doc "Free Solo," released a few years ago. In this article, I will cover all aspects of Alex Honnold, who he is, and what he is known for as well as some other exciting bits such as his climbing philosophy and if he is still breaking crack records to this day. So, Who is Alex Honnold? Alex Honnold is an American Rock climber known for his free solo ascents of some giant walls across the planet. He quickly rose to fame when he free-soloed El Capitan in Yosemite, which is said to be one of the most outstanding achievements for any athlete on the planet. This was, of course, captured on film (thankfully or not, depending on how you are with watching a man climb up a large wall without any protective gear)  under the name "Free Solo," which you can view on Yo...

Catherine Destivelle is a French rock climber known for multiple 'first' climbs over her career, making her one of the most renowned women climbers ever, even by today's standards. In this article, we will cover all the things climbers want to know about Catherine; who she is, how she started climbing, and  why she is so famous in the rock climbing community  despite being 'retired' (slowed down) for quite a few years now. So, Who is Catherine Destivelle? Catherine Destivelle (Catherine Monique Suzanne Destivelle) is a French rock climber and mountaineer. She became the first woman to the solo accent of  Eiger's North face , taking her 17 hours to do so. She had a couple of other first ascents, including the Nameless Tower, Mount Viets, and Peak 4111. Where Was Catherine Destivelle Born? Oran, Algeria, and was brought up somewhere in France. How Old is Catherine Destivelle? Catherine was born on 24th July 1960, making her years old. W...

Tommy Caldwell is a famous rock climber from the United States who is most known for trad climbing, speed climbing, and big wall free climbing. He was also one of the first people to make the first free ascents of several routes at El Capitan, the exact location Alex Honnold free soloed for his now infamous documentary. So, Who is Tommy Caldwell? Tommy Caldwell is a rock climber who is a serial achiever in traditional hard climbing, big wall speed climbs, and free climbing. He has been climbing for many years and has since released a New York Times Bestseller, "The Push." This book talks about a climber's search to find the right path, overcome adversity, and achieve what they set out to achieve. Where Was Tommy Caldwell Born? Tommy was born in Estes Park, Colorado, the United States, on the 11th of August, 1978. Making him . What Is Tommy Caldwell’s Nationality? He is American. What Is Tommy Caldwell’s Ethnicity? He is Caucasian. When Di...

Lynn Hill is one of the most accomplished and renowned climbers in the history of rock climbing. She has achieved more than almost any other climber, male or female. In this article, you will learn all about her accomplishments, as well as what makes her one of the greatest climbers to ever grace a wall. Who is Lynn Hill? Lynn Hill is considered one of the best climbers in the world. She has been climbing for over four decades and has established some of the hardest routes in the world. Lynn is also known for her free solo ascent of The Nose on El Capitan, which is considered one of the most difficult climbs in the world. Where Was Lynn Hill Born? She was born in Detroit, Michigan, US, on January 3, 1961. What Is Lynn Hill’s Nationality? She is an American climber. What Is Lynn Hill’s Ethnicity? She is Caucasian. When Did Lynn Hill Start Climbing? Lynn started climbing when she was 14 years old. How Old is Lynn Hill? Lynn was born on 3 January 19...

Carabiner climbing clips are used in rock climbing and other activities. It is usually made of aluminum, steel, or titanium. They are often confused with "snap links," which are different pieces of equipment. Carabiners have a spring-loaded gate that allows them to be easily attached and detached from ropes, chains, and other objects. In this article, we will discuss the different types of carabiners and why they are an essential kit that practically every rock climber needs. What is a Carabiner in Climbing? What is a Carabiner?: A carabiner is a metal clip with a spring-loaded gate used by climbers to connect the carabiner to their rope and anchor points, protecting them from falls. Carabiners are made from aluminum, steel, or titanium and come in various shapes and sizes. The most popular type of carabiner among climbers is the "D" shape. Carabiner History The carabiner was invented in the early 1900s by German climber Otto Herzog. He wanted ...

Simul climbing is a mountaineering technique in which two or more climbers move together up a slope or face using a single rope. In this article, we will discuss what simul climbing is, how it works, and the benefits and drawbacks of using this technique. So, What is Simul Climbing? What is Simul Climbing? Simul climbing, also known as simultaneous climbing, is a technique where two or more climbers simultaneously move up a rock face whilst tied to the same rope. Protection is placed by the first climber and removed by the last. This allows for a faster ascent of the route and a greater sense of camaraderie between the climbers. Simul climbing can be done on both trad (traditional) and sports routes. However, Trad climbing requires more planning and protection, as no bolted anchors are in place.  Sports routes have fixed anchors at intervals, making them easier to protect. However, both types of climbs still require a good deal of skill and experience. Simul c...

Rock climbing can be a dangerous sport, whether you're at your local climbing gym or you're climbing on a rock face out in nature. You could be seriously injured, break bones, tear ligaments, strain muscles, or worse. This is, of course, if you don't take the proper precautions when on a crack. In this article, I will discuss the dangers of rock climbing and how you can keep yourself safe while doing one of the most mentally and physically demanding but rewarding activities. So, Is Rock Climbing Dangerous? Is Rock Climbing Dangerous? Rock climbing is a dangerous sport, with an annual fatality rate of approximately 24 out of 1 million. This means that the overall risk of death while rock climbing is about 0.00002%. However, this number can be misleading, as it includes beginners and experienced climbers. The actual fatality rate for experienced climbers is closer to 1 in 100,000 or 0.001%. This makes rock climbing one of the relatively safer sports, especiall...