by Marco Angioni II

Created on: July 20, 2010   Last Updated: August 13, 2010

Rock climbing is a great, physical, outdoor activity.  It requires skill, balance, and strength.  However, before you attempt to tackle a climb, there are certain pieces of basic rock climbing equipment that you need to be familiar with.  This essential rock climbing gear is necessary in order for you to safely and effectively participate in a rock climb.

Probably the single most important piece of rock climbing equipment is the harness.  A rock climbing harness straps around your legs and lower torso.  It should be tight and secure, but comfortable. 

A harness is a vitally important piece of rock climbing equipment because most all other pieces of rock climbing equipment attach to your harness.  The belay device, the carabiner, and your ropes, to name a few, all connect in some way to your harness.  Due to this fact, you should be thoroughly familiar with your harness and all of its parts.  Put simply, a harness makes it possible for you to climb.  

Although it is possible to climb without it, it is not possible to climb safely without rope.  Ropes help prevent you from falling and help guide you up the rock face.  Ropes also allow you to repel and otherwise descend from the mountain top. 

It is important to note that the length of the ropes vary.  As such, before you go for a climb, it is important that you know the height of the mountain and that you know how many people are going to climb with you.  These factors will change the amount of rope and the length of the ropes necessary to complete the climb.    

The carabiner connects the rope to your harness and helps protect against falling.  There are different types of carabiners depending on the type of rope you use.  Carabiners are not large pieces of equipment, but they are important. 

A belay device helps remove slack from the rope.  This means that should you slip while climbing, you will not fall very far.  There are many different types of belay devices (such as tube style, auto locking, and auto blocking), and each one performs differently and will be used differently based upon your skill level and the intended climb.  As such, do not buy the first belay device you find.  Look around, ask for assistance, and find the belay device that is best for your skill level and for the intended climb. 

Rock

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