The Basics of Rock Climbing and Bouldering

Climbing Rope

Equipment:

Rock climbing (Top rope and lead):

     In order to rock climb you need a harness, rope (usually provided for no or little cost at most rock gyms), a climbing carabiner that is locking, climbing shoes, and a belay device. You will only need 1 belay device and carabiner for 2 people (Unless you are planning on practicing rappelling. If you are rappelling you will need a second rope, carabiner, and belay device). You will also need two people. If you are climbing at a gym that has auto belay systems, you will only need a harness and maybe a locking carabiner depending on the system.  Most rock gyms have rental services for harnesses and shoes. Chalk and a chalk bag is also recommended for climbing and bouldering.

A climbing shoe

Bouldering:

     If you are planning on going bouldering you only need climbing shoes and possibly a chalk bucket for bouldering. Some climbing gyms allow you to use street shoes on the bouldering wall. EVO Rock gym in Portland, Maine is one of those gyms. EVO is my favorite rock climbing gym and the one I go climbing at. Climbing shoes are recommended for bouldering and climbing because they give your feet better grip. Chalk buckets are better for bouldering because they are bigger and are made to stay on the ground when you boulder so you don't have to carry them with you. If you are planning on bouldering outside, a crash pad is a necessity. These are so that when you fall, you don't get as hurt. Climbing gyms have flooring made like a crash pad and having a crash pad at a climbing gym is generally unnecessary. 

Most if not all of this equipment is available at your local climbing gym. I highly reccomend buying it there so that you can try on any equipment and so that you have a place to return it to if there is a problem. 

Skills and Tips:

     For climbing in general it is important to have strong core muscles and arm muscles to pull yourself up the wall. For bouldering, flexibility is also very important. 

     Another important skill is knowing the two different types of holds. The following illustration shows the two different types of holds. Crimp hold is when you use your finger muscles to hold on to a climbing hold. This is mostly used on small, rectangular holds where an open hold would not work. Open handed hold is generally used for large, sloped holds that a crimp hold would not work on. Besides from knowing the two basic holds, it is a matter of preference about which hold (Your grip) you use on which climbing holds (The pieces of plastic on the wall that you hold on to). 

     It is also important to know a basic climbing knot. This knot is used when tying in to a top line in a rock gym. This knot is the figure 8 follow through. If you are following the animation on the link, you should tie the knot around the front loop on your harness. If you are unsure of where this is or if you tied the knot correctly, PLEASE CHECK WITH SOMEONE WHO KNOWS. Don't risk life and limb to see if you tied the knot correctly. The majority of climbers are friendly people who will be more than likely to at the least tie the knot for you and probably teach you to tie it yourself. This goes for any questions you have. Also: be nice to other people and they will be nice to you. Trust me, it works most of the time with climbing and other outdoor activities. 

     If you are learning to climb at EVO in Portland, I recommend taking the intro to climbing class and starting out climbing on the upstairs walls. The upstairs walls are smaller and better for learning to climb. 

Pictures:

https://www.rei.com/product/896622/la-sportiva-finale-climbing-shoes-mens
https://www.petzl.com/US/EN/Sport/Harnesses/SAMA#.WIUT-7YrLeQ
https://www.petzl.com/GB/en/Sport/Ropes/CONTACT-9-8-mm#.WIUSFLYrLeQ
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/32/36/c7/3236c7a51525d28279e2176e8251f257.jpg