Equipment Needed to Scale the Wall
Types of Rock Climbing
**The first piece of equipment isn‘t equipment at all. You need a partner. Rock Climbing is a two-person sport. One person needs to be on the ground, while the other is climbing.
Indoor Sport Climbing: This can be at a gym, sports club, or a home wall. Great for the first-time climber who wants to get a feel for the sport and see if it might be something they want to pursue more seriously. There are great opportunities for climbers who are looking to try it for the first time, or the climbers who want to hone their skills.
Climbing Harness: Fits on the person climbing the wall. This is attached to a rope that the person on the ground is holding.
Outdoor Rock Climbing: Not as predictable as indoor climbing, but it comes with amazing scenery and the opportunity to try a new location each time you climb.
Climbing shoes: Important for gaining secure foot placement and will support your foot as you use your toes to balance and find footholds along the edges of the cliff.
Bouldering: This requires the least amount of gear. Bouldering consists of close-to-the-ground climbing without ropes.
Carabiners: Coupling link with a safety closure.
Sport Climbing: The “clip and go” style of climbing allows the leader to move up the rock, without the worry of placing protection as you progress up.
Climbing Ropes: Used to connect the climber to the spotter on the ground. Helmet: Pretty self-explanatory—protect your noggin!
Traditional Rock Climbing: A true adventure, traditional climbing is a true test of adventurous spirit and has few permanent anchors.
Chocks, Nuts, Hexes: These are safety devices to keep the climber from falling.
Hot Spots to Climb in Central Texas Indoor Climbing
Boulders Sport Climbing Center Harker Heights 254-690-9790 www.climbboulders.com
Summit Recreational Center Temple 254-298-5348 www.templeparks.net/summit
Austin Rock Gym Austin 512-46-9299 www.austinrockgym.com
Outdoor Climbing
Morgan’s Point, Main Wall Georgetown, The Riverside Sanctuary Rogers Park (Lake Belton)
Miller Springs Nature Area, Belton BLORA, Belton Enchanted Rock State Park CenTex Sportsman, Temple
Rock Climbing Resources
CTMrocks.com: Your Central Texas guide to rock climbing! mtmadness.com: A great place to learn the basics of mountain climbing twpd.state.tx.us: The state’s guide to all great rock climbing hot spots! texasoutside.com: A great resource for climbing lessons texappealmag.com
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