Outdoor Adventures ROCK CLIMBING. Tatiana Tomljanovic

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1 Outdoor Adventures ROCK CLIMBING Tatiana Tomljanovic

2 Published by Weigl Publishers Inc th Avenue, Suite 3304, PMB 6G New York, NY Website: Copyright 2008 WEIGL PUBLISHERS INC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Weigl Publishers Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Tomljanovic, Tatiana. Rock climbing / Tatiana Tomljanovic. p. cm. -- (Outdoor adventures) Includes index. ISBN-13: (hard cover : alk. paper) ISBN-13: (soft cover : alk. paper) 1. Rock climbing--juvenile literature. I. Title. GV200.2.T '3--dc Printed in the United States of America Every reasonable effort has been made to trace ownership and to obtain permission to reprint copyright material. The publishers would be pleased to have any errors or omissions brought to their attention so that they may be corrected in subsequent printings. Project Coordinator Tatiana Tomljanovic Design Terry Paulhus All of the Internet URLs given in the book were valid at the time of publication. However, due to the dynamic nature of the Internet, some addresses may have changed, or sites may have ceased to exist since publication. While the author and publisher regret any inconvenience this may cause readers, no responsibility for any such changes can be accepted by either the author or the publisher.

3 CONTENTS 4 All About Rock Climbing 6 Getting Started 8 Rock Climbing Basics 10 Rock Climbing Levels 12 Staying Safe 14 Other Outdoor Adventures 16 Rock Climbing Around the World 18 Join the Club 20 Healthy Habits 22 Brain Teasers 24 Glossary/Index

4 All About Rock Climbing Climbing can be an exciting and energizing activity. Some people climb to the tops of mountains. Others climb steep rock formations, such as cliffs and boulders. This type of climbing is called rock climbing. Rock climbing as a sport began in the late 1800s. It started as a way for mountain climbers to practice their skills. On June 27, 1886, W. P. Haskett-Smith climbed Napes Needle in Great Britain. Napes Needle is 115 feet (35 meters) high. This was the earliest recorded rock climb done for enjoyment. Today, rock climbing is common among people of all ages and skill levels. People can climb mountains, boulders, or rock cliffs. Although rock climbing requires special equipment and training, anyone can learn. Many climbers learn basic climbing skills at indoor gyms. This is called sport climbing. They practice on artificial climbing walls. Then, they can try climbing a real rock face. Rock climbing is a challenging sport for climbers of all skill levels. Moab, Utah, is a popular destination for advanced rock climbers. 4

5 CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS PAST People climbed mountains to hunt, explore, or rescue lost animals. Climbers did not have much equipment. Some tied a rope around their waist. Women climbed in skirts. Early rock climbers wore large, heavy hiking boots. PRESENT People climb rocks, cliffs, and boulders for fun. Climbers use harnesses and safety equipment. Women and men climb in pants or shorts. Climbers wear special climbing shoes that are small and lightweight. For a person who weighs 140 pounds (64 kilograms), climbing can burn as many as 700 calories in an hour. 5

6 Getting Started There are many types of rock climbing. Once beginners have tried sport climbing at an indoor gym, they can learn top-roping. Top-roping is done by securely fastening a rope to the top of a climbing surface. This rope holds climbers as they climb. In traditional, or free, climbing, climbers make their own path up the rock. A pair of climbers is connected by a rope. They climb the rock face while carrying their equipment. As they climb, the climbers place wedges into the rock s surface. They hook their rope to these wedges. If one of the climbers falls, the rope will catch at these points. Rock climbing can be dangerous. Climbers must have the proper safety equipment. They should also know how to use the equipment properly. A harness attaches a climber to a rope. The harness is worn around the waist, with loops around each leg. 6