The List:
Here is everything you need to go Sport Climbing
1. Dynamic Rope
Dynamic Rope is the rope you need to use while Sport Climbing because as it is pulled tight, it stretches. This does not sound that important, but when you fall, it is better for your back to be let down slowly with the stretch of the rope than being snapped back with a rope that will not stretch (Static Rope).
2. Quickdraws
Quickdraws are simply made up of two Carabiners connected with a short, sometimes sewn together, loop of fabric (usually webbing or cord). They are used in Climbing to provide a buffer between the Rope and the Protection being used so that the Rope is easier to pull up for the Climber, and so that the Protection will not be wiggled free of its position. Having Quickdraws is a convenience that you do not what to live without.
3. Protection
"Protection" is a term used by Climbers to describe a category of gear that is used to limit the length of a potential fall. Protection pieces are forced into cracks in the rock face and connected to the Rope; this point is now an anchor for the Rope. However far past a Protection piece the Climber goes, he/she can fall that distance multiplied by two (length from height to Protection, then same length again from Protection to the end of the Rope length). Protection includes: Cams, Nuts, Bolts, Natural Anchors, etc.
4. Carabiners
If there is one key piece that all climbers should have, a carabiner is it. In climbing, the carabiner is used in a number of ways for a number of reasons. The most common is to attach the Rope to the climber. For a Sport Climb, you need a bunch of Carabiners, not only for your Quickdraws, but also to Clip-in to the Rope, to Clip-in to the Belay Device, or to Clip-on any extra gear you are carrying, and many other uses that you will find out along the way. There are different Carabiners to fulfill each purpose.
5. ATC/Belay Device
In a Sport Climb, an ATC (Air Traffic Controller) or a Belay Device is what the person belaying uses to keep the rope in between the two Climbers taut so that if the person climbing falls, he will fall the shortest distance possible. This is a very inexpensive and simple piece of Gear, but it is very important.
6. Climbing Harness (One Per Climber)
Each Climber will need a Climbing Harness while Sport Climbing because each Climber must be attached to the rope at all times. The person climbing must be attached to the Rope's end while placing Protection, while the person belaying from below must be attached to the Rope with the ATC to prevent a longer fall than necessary.
7. Runners/Gear Slings/Daisy Chains
All of these pieces of Gear have multiple uses, but they are important for a Sport Climb, because you can use them to carry your Protection and Quickdraws. Daisy Chains are the best for this purpose because the Gear won't bunch up, but a regular Sling can be used as well. Extra Runners and Slings are great to extend Quickdraw lenght, and Daisy Chains can also be attached to Protection and the Climbing Harness to provide a nice rest for the Climber.
8. Chalk
Your hands will get sweaty when you are climbing, even if they never have before, so you need to dry out that natural slipping agent with Chalk. You only need a little on your fingertips and palms.
9. Chalk Bag
If you plan to keep your chalk on your back while climbing so that you can restock in mid-climb, or if you simply just want to keep your chalk, a chalk bag is a must.
10. Climbing Shoes (One Pair Per Climber)
In a Sport Climb, both Climbers need to be wearing Rock Climbing Shoes because they both need the best position possible. You also need to make sure your Climbing Shoes are fitted correctly because your feet are two of your only four contact points to the rock. Rock Climbing Shoes will allow for a more precise climb and a better grip with your feet.
11. Helmet (One Per Climber)
Knowing that your head is probably the most important part of your body, I suggest keeping it protected. Both Climbers need one to protect from head injuries to the person climbing and to protect from rocks falling from above for the belayer.
12. Clothing
When you are Climbing, the clothing that you wear should help, not hinder your climb. I prefer a performance wear base layer, then a pair of regular old hiking shorts that you don't care to beat up.
13. Gear Pack
In order to keep all of your Sport Climbing Gear together, it is a good idea to have a simple Gear Bag/Gear Pack to store everything in. That way, you can just grab you pack and go!
Here is everything you need to go Sport Climbing
1. Dynamic Rope
Dynamic Rope is the rope you need to use while Sport Climbing because as it is pulled tight, it stretches. This does not sound that important, but when you fall, it is better for your back to be let down slowly with the stretch of the rope than being snapped back with a rope that will not stretch (Static Rope).
2. Quickdraws
Quickdraws are simply made up of two Carabiners connected with a short, sometimes sewn together, loop of fabric (usually webbing or cord). They are used in Climbing to provide a buffer between the Rope and the Protection being used so that the Rope is easier to pull up for the Climber, and so that the Protection will not be wiggled free of its position. Having Quickdraws is a convenience that you do not what to live without.
3. Protection
"Protection" is a term used by Climbers to describe a category of gear that is used to limit the length of a potential fall. Protection pieces are forced into cracks in the rock face and connected to the Rope; this point is now an anchor for the Rope. However far past a Protection piece the Climber goes, he/she can fall that distance multiplied by two (length from height to Protection, then same length again from Protection to the end of the Rope length). Protection includes: Cams, Nuts, Bolts, Natural Anchors, etc.
4. Carabiners
If there is one key piece that all climbers should have, a carabiner is it. In climbing, the carabiner is used in a number of ways for a number of reasons. The most common is to attach the Rope to the climber. For a Sport Climb, you need a bunch of Carabiners, not only for your Quickdraws, but also to Clip-in to the Rope, to Clip-in to the Belay Device, or to Clip-on any extra gear you are carrying, and many other uses that you will find out along the way. There are different Carabiners to fulfill each purpose.
5. ATC/Belay Device
In a Sport Climb, an ATC (Air Traffic Controller) or a Belay Device is what the person belaying uses to keep the rope in between the two Climbers taut so that if the person climbing falls, he will fall the shortest distance possible. This is a very inexpensive and simple piece of Gear, but it is very important.
6. Climbing Harness (One Per Climber)
Each Climber will need a Climbing Harness while Sport Climbing because each Climber must be attached to the rope at all times. The person climbing must be attached to the Rope's end while placing Protection, while the person belaying from below must be attached to the Rope with the ATC to prevent a longer fall than necessary.
7. Runners/Gear Slings/Daisy Chains
All of these pieces of Gear have multiple uses, but they are important for a Sport Climb, because you can use them to carry your Protection and Quickdraws. Daisy Chains are the best for this purpose because the Gear won't bunch up, but a regular Sling can be used as well. Extra Runners and Slings are great to extend Quickdraw lenght, and Daisy Chains can also be attached to Protection and the Climbing Harness to provide a nice rest for the Climber.
8. Chalk
Your hands will get sweaty when you are climbing, even if they never have before, so you need to dry out that natural slipping agent with Chalk. You only need a little on your fingertips and palms.
9. Chalk Bag
If you plan to keep your chalk on your back while climbing so that you can restock in mid-climb, or if you simply just want to keep your chalk, a chalk bag is a must.
10. Climbing Shoes (One Pair Per Climber)
In a Sport Climb, both Climbers need to be wearing Rock Climbing Shoes because they both need the best position possible. You also need to make sure your Climbing Shoes are fitted correctly because your feet are two of your only four contact points to the rock. Rock Climbing Shoes will allow for a more precise climb and a better grip with your feet.
11. Helmet (One Per Climber)
Knowing that your head is probably the most important part of your body, I suggest keeping it protected. Both Climbers need one to protect from head injuries to the person climbing and to protect from rocks falling from above for the belayer.
12. Clothing
When you are Climbing, the clothing that you wear should help, not hinder your climb. I prefer a performance wear base layer, then a pair of regular old hiking shorts that you don't care to beat up.
13. Gear Pack
In order to keep all of your Sport Climbing Gear together, it is a good idea to have a simple Gear Bag/Gear Pack to store everything in. That way, you can just grab you pack and go!
SPORT CLIMBING
Sport Climbing is one of the most exciting types of climbing because of the risks and strategy involved. Sport Climbing is definitely not for a beginner climber, but once you have the basic skills down, Sport Climbing should be your next step. In Sport Climbing, each climber is the end of the rope, so when the Lead Climber (the higher one) is climbing, he can fall twice as far as his rope is long after his last Protection piece!
Sport Climbing is one of the most exciting types of climbing because of the risks and strategy involved. Sport Climbing is definitely not for a beginner climber, but once you have the basic skills down, Sport Climbing should be your next step. In Sport Climbing, each climber is the end of the rope, so when the Lead Climber (the higher one) is climbing, he can fall twice as far as his rope is long after his last Protection piece!
GREAT SITES FOR SPORT CLIMBING GEAR: