Styles Of Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing is a sport that involves climbing precipices and scaling rock faces. Often pursued as a hobby, rock climbing includes the usage of specialized equipment and techniques.

Rock Climbing can be conducted using a variety of different variations and styles. Among the most popular styles, enthusiasts and athletes use traditional Rock Climbing and Sport Climbing. Given below is an overview of the variety of styles that can be used in Rock climbing.

Traditional Climbing

Traditional Climbing is a conventional method of climbing rocks. An old style of free climbing, Traditional Climbing involves climbing on routes without artificial tools and external support, to aid the climbers in their ascent. To engage in this method, the athlete need to improve on his technique, as the climber's body and some pieces of Passive Protection like Nuts and Hexes are used.

With such low levels of protection and minimal usage of tools, traditional climbing is slow-paced and more strategical. This has made this form of free Climbing, become popular as "Adventure Climbing" in Australia.

Features of Traditional Climbing:

. Traditional climbing offers it climbers, freedom of technique and customization of rock climbing routes. This freedom is more extended, with the availability of protection and hi-tech equipment.

. This is the only style of climbing that emphasizes on technique and proper usage of safety equipment and protection. The style teaches the climber, distribution and positioning of tools with maximum efficiency.

. Traditional climbing improves a climber's capability of making quick strategical judgments. It also insists on teamwork, as it is carried out in groups, usually with a leader and be-layer (the one who retrieves the tools after the climb).

Sport Climbing

Sport climbing is the only form of rock climbing that includes investments and sponsorships. A professional sport, this form of rock climbing includes predetermined routes that have permanent bolts and anchors attached on the rock wall.

In sport climbing, a rope is used to assist the athlete. The rope is attached to each athlete's climbing harness with the belayer handling the loose end. Generally, the distance between each bolt is eight feet but can be decreased to improve speed. At the peak of each route, an anchor is placed to accommodate a variety of equipment.

The element of danger in Sports Climbing is greatly reduced as the sport highlights the gymnastic and athletic aspects of Rock Climbing. Though Sport Climbing does not include strategy, it does require overall development of stamina, strength, and flexibility.

Mountaineering:

Popularly known as Alpinism, Mountaineering is a form of climbing that involves climbing mountain slopes and trekking trails. It requires athletes to scale higher altitudes, which may last for days and even months.

There are three basic forms of Climbing based on the condition of tracks:

. Rock Climbing, or rock-craft that is popular among amateur Climbers.

. Rock craft includes climbing rocky slopes and avalanches.

. Snow and Ice Climbing, experts prefer snow-craft, which is also known as, Snow and Ice Climbing and it involves a more dangerous Climb as it includes routes with glaciers.

. Mixed Climbing is a combination of rocky and icy routes. It is an extremely hazardous form of Rock Climbing that requires training and experience.