Gear Guide: Rockclimbing
Typical Items
The items listed below are standard for most trips. You can print this page and use it as a checklist for your next trip, to make sure you have all the necessary items.
Climbing Shoes *
Specialist rockclimbing shoes have a grippy rubber sole, for better purchase on the rock. They also fit tightly around your feet, giving you precision and strength with the toes; this enables you to use tiny nubs of rock for support. (image c/o www.rockpillars.cz)
Helmet *
Vital in rockclimbing and mountaineering, they will protect your head from falling objects such as ice blocks, a boulder or rock and other debris. (image c/o www.thebackcountry.net)
Rope *
This is the climber's lifeline. With a rope an experienced climber can set up anchors, rescue people stuck on a climb and descend cliffs. When climbing ropes are always dynamic ropes—that is, they will stretch a little if you fall, to prevent you from getting a sudden and painful whiplash. Static rope does not stretch and is never used when actually climbing, unless to secure gear and other inanimate objects, but may be used when abseiling. Static ropes are generally totally black or white, whereas dynamic ropes tend to be colourful.
Belay Device *
These mechanical devices help you control the rope as you descend. Though there are a few different types of belay device, all are used when descending a rope (abseiling) and when belaying a climbing partner. All use the physics of friction; with the right setup you can securely hold someone much heavier than you, even when they fall. (image c/o www.bouldering.com)
Cam (Camming Device) *
A piece of rockclimbing protection equipment. It consists of rotating cams mounted on an axle. Pulling on the axle causes the cams to rotate; since the cams are not circular, as they rotate they create an outward force against the two walls of a crack. Friction holds them in place making it possible to protect yourself using parallel cracks. Cams come in various shapes and sizes and are also known as Friends (a brand name).
Hex (Hexcentric) *
A versatile hexagonal prism of aluminium attached to a wire, cord or sling. Rotating them will give you various options for fitting them into cracks to provide protection from a fall. They come in various shapes and sizes. (image c/o www.thebackcountry.net)
Nut (Stopper, Wire) *
Simple metal chocks attached to a wire. with a trapezoid profile enabling you to wedge them into cracks. They come in various sizes. (image c/o www.rammountain.co.za)
Sling *
A strong tied or sewn fabric that can be wrapped around sections of rocks, anchors and other pieces of equipment.
Carabiner *
These are metal (usually aluminium) loops with a screwed or sprung gate. They are designed to hold a lot of mass—some can hold the weight of a car! However their strength is only along their spine; in any other direction, carabiners are much weaker. Critical in all rockclimbing protection and most climbing ropework
Quickdraw *
These are two carabiners connected by a short piece of sling. Note the two different carabiner types: the bent-gate carabiner is where you clip the rope (the curve makes this easier) and the straight-gate carabiner clips into your protection (cam/nut/hex).
Optional Variations
Below are suggested items that you might want to take instead of, or in addition to, the Typical Items listed above. The Optional items are not mandatory and are often considered luxuries for most, if not all, activities. The Optional items are like upgraded Typical items.
Chalk Bag
They contain balls of chalk in them. Chalk is used to remove sweat and grease from the hands, enabling you to get a better grip on the rock. (image c/o www.cham3s.com)
Cordalette
In simplest terms, a cordalette is a big sling connected to three carabiners which are, in turn, connected to your anchor pieces. The purpose of the cordalette is to equalise the load on your anchor—that is, to distribute a climber's weight equally among the three anchor points. It is a convenient tool to use when setting up an anchor.
Nut Key *
It's a piece of metal you use to dislodge nuts or stoppers when they get stuck in a crack. Nuts often get stuck in cracks if you wedge them in too hard, or if they experience sudden loading (i.e. when you fall). (image c/o www.gearhead-climbing.de)
Prussik Cord *
These are small loops of cord (the ends are usually tied with a fisherman's knot) which can be tied to the main rope in a special friction knot called a prussik knot. With it, you can efficiently ascend a rope, back-up a rappel, or otherwise secure yourself during a climb. (image c/o www.rei.com)
Typical Items
- Climbing Shoes
- Helmet
- Rope
- Belay Device
- Cam
- Hex
- Nut
- Sling
- Carabiner
- Quickdraw
Optional Variations
- Chalk Bag
- Cordalette
- Nut Key
- Prussik Cord
Typical Gear
- Base Layer
The layers you wear next to your body.
- Warm Wear
Really warm stuff to keep you...well, warm. This usually goes on top of the Base Layer, but beneath the Shell.
- Shellwear
The outer layers will protect you from the duo of death: wind and rain.
- Campground Arsenal
The stuff you'll need for overnight camping. On occasion you might draw from this list for a shorter trip, but your leader will specify.
- Miscellaneous
Extra items that you might want to take, that don't fit into the above categories.
Specific Gear
- Winter Kit
For when you go skiing or snow-camping.
- Rockclimbing
All the cool shiny stuff that you take climbing. Some of this is also used in Mountaineering.
Related Links
Bogong EquipmentA reliable and reputable vendor of outdoors equipment. They supply a variety of brands and stock equipment for bushwalkers, skiiers, climbers and mountaineers.
Mountain DesignsMountain Designs stocks their own label of equipment. A specialised outdoors vendor, they have a range of equipment suitable for bushwalkers, skiiers, climbers and mountaineers.
Snowgum Kathmandu Anaconda
