1.
Rapla
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Rapla is a town in central Estonia, the administrative centre of Rapla County and Rapla Parish. It has a population of 5,618, the oldest records date back to 1241 in the Danish Census Book, when it was said that it was a small village with 8 acres of cultivated fields. By the end of the 13th century the centre was firmly established. At around the time a Cistercian monastery was built. Raplas ambitious period of fast growth began only in the late 19th century, in 1866 a pharmacy was built, in 1868 a school, and in 1888 a hospital. In 1898 a Brick factory was opened and in 1900 a railway line was built between Rapla and Viljandi, the old stone church was demolished in the late 19th century and a new one was built in a new style. It was built in a Romanesque style, one of the purest examples of style in all of Estonia. In 1913 Rapla consisted of around 20 stone and 60 wooden houses, in 1931 a gauge railway from Rapla to Virtsu opened. It was in use until 1968
2.
Climbing
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Climbing is the activity of using ones hands, feet, or any other part of the body to ascend a steep object. It is done recreationally, competitively, in trades that rely on it and it is done indoors and out, on natural and manmade structures. Climbing activities include, Bouldering, Ascending boulders or small outcrops, often with climbing shoes, canyoneering, Climbing along canyons for sport or recreation. Chalk climbing, Ascending chalk cliffs uses some of the techniques as ice climbing. Competition Climbing, A formal, competitive sport of recent origins, competition Climbing has three major disciplines, Lead, Bouldering and Speed. Ice climbing, Ascending ice or hard snow formations using special equipment, usually ice axes, techniques of protecting the climber are similar to those of rock climbing, with protective devices adapted to frozen conditions. Indoor climbing, Top roping, lead climbing, and bouldering artificial walls with bolted holds in a climbing gym, mountaineering, Ascending mountains for sport or recreation. It often involves rock and/or ice climbing, pole climbing, Climbing poles and masts without equipment. Lumberjack tree-trimming and competitive tree-trunk or pole climbing for speed using spikes, rock climbing, Ascending rock formations, often using climbing shoes and a chalk bag. Equipment such as ropes, bolts, nuts, hexes and camming devices are normally employed, rope access, Industrial climbing, usually abseiling, as an alternative to scaffolding for short works on exposed structures. Rope climbing, Climbing a short, thick rope for speed, not to be confused with roped climbing, as in rock or ice climbing. Scrambling which includes rock climbing, and is considered part of hillwalking. Sport climbing is a form of climbing that relies on permanent anchors fixed to the rock. Top roping, Ascending a rock climbing route protected by a rope anchored at the top and protected by a belayer below Traditional climbing is a form of climbing without fixed anchors and bolts. Climbers place removable protection such as camming devices, nuts, free solo climbing, Climbing without ropes or protection. Tree climbing, Recreationally ascending trees using ropes and other protective equipment, a tower climber is a professional who climbs broadcasting or telecommunication towers or masts for maintenance or repair. Rock, ice and tree climbing all usually use ropes for safety or aid, pole climbing and rope climbing were among the first exercises to be included in the origins of modern gymnastics in the late 18th century and early 19th century
3.
Belay device
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A belay device is a mechanical piece of climbing equipment used to control a rope during belaying. It is designed to improve safety for the climber by allowing the belayer to manage their duties with minimal physical effort. With the right belay device, a small, weak climber can easily arrest the fall of a much heavier partner, belay devices act as a friction brake, so that when a climber falls with any slack in the rope, the fall is brought to a stop. Belay devices generally have two modes of operation, in the first mode, the rope is relatively free to be paid in/out by the belayer and this rubbing slows the rope, but also generates heat. Some types of devices can transition between these modes without the belayer taking any action, others require the belayer to hold or pull the rope in a particular direction to arrest a fall. Belay devices usually attach to the harness of the belayer via a carabiner, some belay devices can also be used as descenders for a controlled descent on a rope, that is abseiling or rappeling. Many belay devices can be used to either one rope. There are many reasons why the option might be chosen by a climber. There are also devices on the market which allow a climber to climb solo in his or her climbing gym and this is a device that you feed a bight of rope through a hole or aperture and then hook it into a locking carabiner on the harness. The Sticht plate was the first mechanical brake, named after its designer. It consists of a metal plate with a slot that allows a bight of rope to pass through to a locking carabiner. This locking carabiner is clipped to the belayer who is able to lock the rope at will. Some plates had two slots for double ropes, the slots could also be different sizes for different diameter ropes e. g. 9mm and 11mm. A wide wire spring may be attached on one side to keep the plate away from the brake carabiner to ease feeding and taking in rope. A smaller hole is present for accessory cord to carry the device. Sticht plates are typically forged from aluminium alloy in a disc shape. Sticht plates have become popular since more modern designs provide smoother control over the rope and are less prone to jamming. This type of device generally has a tubular or rectangular shape, as a result, this is generally the most common type of belay device used
4.
Golden age of alpinism
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With its beginning slightly predating the formation of the Alpine Club in London in 1857, the golden age was dominated by British alpinists and their Swiss and French guides. Well-known guides of the era include Christian Almer, Jakob Anderegg, Melchior Anderegg, Johann Joseph Benet, Peter Bohren, Jean-Antoine Carrel, Michel Croz, Ulrich Kaufmann and Johannes Zumtaugwald. Walkers sister Lucy also attained some notable firsts during the period, including the first ascent of the Balmhorn, in the early years of the golden age, scientific pursuits were intermixed with the sport. More often than not, the mountaineers carried a variety of instruments up the mountain with them to be used for scientific observations, the physicist John Tyndall was the most prominent of the scientists. Among the non-scientist mountaineers, the literary critic Leslie Stephen was the most prominent, in the later years of the golden age, the non-scientist pure sportsmen came to dominate the London-based Alpine Club and alpine mountaineering overall. Trevor Braham, When the Alps Cast Their Spell, Mountaineers of the Golden Age of Alpinism Ronald Clark, John Tyndall, Hours of Exercise in the Alps
5.
History of rock climbing
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Rock climbing evolved gradually from an alpine necessity to an athletic sport in its own right, making it imprudent to cite a primogenitor of the latter in each of these three locales. An early benchmark approaching modern levels of difficulty was the ascent, by O. G. Jones, Jones was attracted to the new sport by a photo of the Needle in a shop window in the early 1890s. By the end of the Victorian era as many as 60 enthusiasts at a time would gather at the Wastwater Hotel in the Lake District during vacation periods, by the 1930s there were over 200 small climbing clubs represented in the area. The solo first ascent of Die Vajolettürme in 1887 by the 17-year-old Munich high school student, Georg Winkler, encouraged the acceptance, as rock climbing matured, a variety of grading systems were created in order to more accurately compare relative difficulties of climbs. Over the years both climbing techniques and the equipment climbers use to advance the sport have evolved in a steady fashion,1492, Antoine de Ville ascends Mont Inaccessible, Mont Aiguille, a 300-meter rock tower south of Grenoble, France. Under orders from his king, he used the techniques developed for sieging castles to attain an otherwise unreachable summit, the ascent is described by François Rabelais in his Quart Livre. 1695, Martin Martin describes the practice of fowling by climbing with the use of ropes in the Hebrides of Scotland. 1786, The first ascent of Mont Blanc is often referred to as the start of mountaineering’s “modern era” and it took another century before history documents the use of devices similar to today’s fixed anchors, pitons, bolts and rappel slings. By the 19th century, climbing was developing as a recreational pastime, equipment in the early 19th century began with an alpenstock, a primitive form of three-point instep crampon, and a woodcutters axe. These were the tools of the shepherd, who was shortly to move from guiding sheep to guiding men. With time the alpenstock and the axe were combined into one tool, add a large, thick rope, to help the client climb, and guide and novice were off to the mountains. 1869, John Muir, famed naturalist and climber, wearing hiking boots, makes the first ascent of Cathedral Peak in Tuolumne Meadows as an on-sight,1875, Half Dome in Yosemite National Park was climbed by George Anderson. He used eye bolts in drilled holes as hand and toe holds and he used a fixed rope to return to his high point each day. 1880s, The Sport of Rock Climbing begins in the Lake District and Wales in Great Britain, Saxony near Dresden, and the Dolomites. W. P. Haskett Smith is frequently called the Father of Rock Climbing in the British Isles,1886, W. P. Haskett Smith makes the first ascent of the 70 foot Napes Needle, in the Lake District of England. The resulting publicity introduces the general British public to the new sport of rock climbing,1887, Georg Winkler, at the age of 17, makes the first ascent - solo - of Die Vajolettürme in the Dolomites, initiating the sport of rock climbing in that area. 1892, Oscar Eckenstein, a British climber and early bouldering advocate, conducts a competition, with cash prizes. 1893, Devils Tower is first summited by ranchers William Rogers and Willard Ripley through the use of wooden spike pounded into a crack, after 6 weeks they summited on the Fourth of July
6.
Aid climbing
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Aid climbing is a style of climbing in which standing on or pulling oneself up via devices attached to fixed or placed protection is used to make upward progress. In general, aid techniques are reserved for pitches where free climbing is difficult to impossible, while aid climbing places less emphasis on athletic fitness and raw strength than free climbing, the physical demands of hard aid climbing should not be underestimated. Aid climbing has its own ranking system, using a scale from A0 through A5. Just as in climbing, the usual aid technique involves two climbers, a leader and a belayer. The leader is connected by a rope to the belayer, who remains at the station while the leader moves up. As the leader advances, the rope is let out by the belayer, if the leader falls, the belayer locks off the rope and, assuming the protection doesnt pull out, catches the leaders fall on the rope. When the leader, moving up, reaches the end of the rope, or a convenient stopping point, he or she builds an anchor, hangs on it and this then becomes the next belay station. The belayer then ascends the rope using mechanical ascenders, retrieving the protection that was placed by the leader. Many variations on this technique are possible, including solo aid climbing and climbing with a team of three or more. Until the 1940s protection was provided by the piton, driven into a crack in the rock with a hammer, today, aid climbing uses a considerably larger array of hardware than the pitons used by the first climbers although the primary technique of ascension has not much evolved. The typical gear of an aid climber includes pitons, hooks, copperheads, nuts, camming devices, ascenders, hauling pulleys, aiders, daisy chains, the hardest aid routes are poorly protected requiring the climber to make long sequences of moves using hooks or tenuous placements. On these routes, a climber may have to commit to moving up onto the most marginal of placements risking long and sometimes dangerous falls. By contrast, the vast majority of aid ascents are done on popular free climbs which are too difficult for the aid party to free, but offer excellent gear placements. Since aid climbing is extremely slow compared to climbing, this can lead to some conflicts between aid climbers and free climbers waiting to climb a route. There is additional tension caused by the damage that aid climbing often does to routes, hooks frequently break or otherwise damage holds that human hands and feet do not. Until the 1960s or so, aid climbing was normal practice in most climbing areas, reinhold Messner wrote, Rock faces are no longer overcome by climbing skill, but are humbled, pitch by pitch, by methodical manual labour … Who has polluted the pure spring of mountaineering. Free climbing is now the mainstream of climbing, the solution is often a compromise in which an absolute minimum of bolts is added to allow safe protection for free climbers, while not totally destroying the challenge of the route as an aid climb. However, as with most compromises, this is not a solution that satisfies everyone, the A grading scale incorporates difficulty of placing protection, and the danger associated with falling
7.
Big wall climbing
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Big wall climbing is a type of rock climbing where a climber ascends a long multi-pitch route, normally requiring more than a single day to complete the climb. Big wall routes require the team to live on the route often using portaledges. It is practiced on tall or more vertical faces with few ledges, in the early 20th century, climbers were scaling big rock faces in the Dolomites and the European Alps employing free- and aid- climbing tactics to create bold ascents. Yet, the walls were waiting to be climbed by future generation with better tools. In addition many nations in the early 1900s had specialized units that had developed wall climbing skills for gaining surprise entry into enemy fortifications by wall climbing. In the late 1950s big wall climbing finally started, in Yosemite, the northwest face of Half Dome was climbed in 1957 and the southeast buttress of El Capitan in 1958. With the invention of hard iron pitons, jumars and hammocks, following those pioneering achievements, parties began routinely setting off prepared for days and days of un-interrupted climbing on very long, hard, steep routes. The food, water, hardware and shelter necessary for such a climb could easily weigh well into the hundreds of pounds, hauling systems were developed for managing these large loads. In the last few decades, techniques for big wall climbing have evolved, due to employment of free-climbing. The routes that used to take days can be climbed in under 24 hours. Nevertheless, many still do make multi-day ascents of classic trade routes which have recently gone mostly free. In order to haul portaledges and other such as ropes, food, and water up a rock face. There are many different mechanically advantageous systems that are utilized to make pulling up the haul bag easier than simply dragging it up the face, there are several available methods but most tend to employ a counterweight system or a hauling system. Gear is usually spread over many haul bags in order to maximize efficiency, the hauling system usually consists of a self-locking pulley in order to capture the motion and prevent the bag from descending once hauling stops. Next, an ascender clamped to the rope is used to pull the haul line through the pulley
8.
Bouldering
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Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is performed without the use of ropes or harnesses. While it can be done without any equipment whatsoever, most climbers use climbing shoes to help secure footholds, chalk to keep their hands dry, unlike free solo climbing, which is also performed without ropes, bouldering problems are usually less than 6 meters tall. Artificial climbing walls allow boulderers to train indoors in areas without natural boulders, Bouldering competitions, which employ a variety of formats, take place in both indoor and outdoor settings. The sport originated as a method of training for roped climbs, Bouldering enabled climbers to practice specific moves at a safe distance from the ground. Additionally, the served to build stamina and increase finger strength. Throughout the 1900s, bouldering evolved into a separate discipline, individual problems are assigned ratings based on their difficulty. There have been many different rating systems used throughout the history of the sport, the growing popularity of the sport has caused several environmental concerns, including soil erosion and trampled vegetation as climbers hike off-trail to reach bouldering sites. This has caused some landowners to access or prohibit bouldering altogether. Unlike top rope climbing and lead climbing, no ropes are used to protect or aid the climber, Bouldering routes or problems require the climber to reach the top of a boulder, usually from a specified start position. Some boulder problems, known as traverses, require the climber to climb horizontally from one position to another, the characteristics of boulder problems depend largely on the type of rock being climbed. Granite, for example, often features long cracks and slabs, sandstone rocks are known for their steep overhangs and frequent horizontal breaks. Other common bouldering rocks include limestone and volcanic rock, there are many prominent bouldering areas throughout the United States, including Hueco Tanks in Texas, Mount Evans in Colorado, and The Buttermilks in Bishop, California. Squamish, British Columbia is one of the most popular bouldering areas in Canada, Europe also hosts a number of bouldering sites, such as Fontainebleau in France, Albarracín in Spain, and various mountains throughout Switzerland. Artificial climbing walls are used to simulate boulder problems in an indoor environment and these walls are constructed with wooden panels, polymer cement panels, concrete shells, or precast molds of actual rock walls. Holds, usually made of plastic, are bolted onto the wall to create problems. The walls often feature steep overhanging surfaces, forcing the climber to employ highly technical movements while supporting much of their weight with their body strength. Climbing gyms often feature multiple problems within the section of wall. Across much of the rest of the problems and grades are usually designated by using a set color of plastic hold to indicate a particular problem
9.
Buildering
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Buildering describes the act of climbing on the outside of buildings and other artificial structures. The word buildering is a portmanteau, combining the word building with the climbing term bouldering, if done without ropes or protection far off the ground, buildering may be dangerous. It is often practiced outside legal bounds, and is thus mostly undertaken at night, Night climbing is a particular branch of buildering which has been practiced for many years in a variety of locations such as the University of Cambridge, England. Night climbing, as distinct from buildering, is performed mainly by undergraduates under cover of darkness, the term night climbing has replaced the older term roof climbing. Adepts of buildering who are climbing on buildings without authorization are regularly met by police forces upon completing their exploit. Spectacular acts of buildering, such as free soloing skyscrapers, are accomplished by lone, experienced climbers, sometimes attracting large crowds of passers-by. Buildering can also take a form more akin to bouldering, which tends towards ascending or traversing shorter sections of buildings and structures. While still generally frowned upon by property owners, some, such as the University of Colorado at Boulder and Tufts University, although often practised as a solo sport, buildering has also become a popular group activity. As in more traditional rock climbing, routes are established and graded for difficulty, in 1895, the great alpinist Geoffrey Winthrop Young, started to climb the roofs of Cambridge University, England. Students had been scrambling up the university architecture for years, and he wrote and published a buildering guide to Trinity College. Then in 1905, while a master at Eton College, Young produced another small volume on buildering, spoofing mountaineering, in 1905, Harry H. Gardiner began buildering. He successfully climbed over 700 buildings in Europe and North America, usually wearing street clothes. In 1910, George Polley started his career when the owner of a clothing store promised him a suit if he would climb to the roof of the building. He succeeded, and went on to climb over 2,000 buildings, during the years from 1915 to 1920, buildering in New York City reached its peak. Before 1915, there were few skyscrapers in New York City, and after 1920, during this golden era, a number of daredevils climbed the tall buildings, but several of them fell to their deaths in the attempt. In 1921, a group of undergraduates from St Johns College, Cambridge, in 1930, John Hurst wrote the second edition of Geoffrey Winthrop Youngs buildering guide to Trinity. In 1937, a comprehensive and lighthearted account of Cambridge night climbing appeared in print, written by Noël Howard Symington. In 1947, John Ciampa scaled the exterior of the Astor Hotel in New York City, in 1960, Richard Williams wrote the third edition of the Trinity buildering guide
10.
Climbing competition
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A climbing competition, sometimes shortened to comp, is usually held indoors on purpose built climbing walls. There are three types of climbing competition, lead, speed, and bouldering. In lead climbing, the start at the bottom of a route and must climb within a certain time frame. Speed climbing can either be an individual or team event, the person or team that can climb a route the fastest is the winner. Bouldering competitions consist of climbing short problems with the emphasis on number of problems completed, in the United States, the American Bouldering Series organizes regional and national events. Sport climbing will be in the Olympic Games for the first time in 2020, Lead is the most common type of sport climbing. Competitors climb a long, difficult route designed and set by the route setter, all standard Lead competitions consist of three rounds, qualifications, semifinals, and finals. In the qualification round competitors climb 2 similar routes flash, meaning there is no isolation and their rank will then be calculated as the square root of their rank on either route multiplied by each other. In the case of ties, the rank from the previous round is taken into account. In the Finals, and if the tie is not broken using the countback process, in lead, climbers are belayed from below, and are required to clip quickdraws along the route. The route must be climbed within a time limit, usually 6 minutes. 26 athletes qualify for the Semifinal,8 proceed to the Final, Speed is the only factor that counts in the Speed Climbing event. Competitors climb a slightly overhanging IFSC certified vertical piste with belaying from the top, since 2007 the IFSC has created a standard wall for the world record. The climbing time is determined by mechanical-electric timing but manual timing is also possible, when mechanical-electric timing is used, the climbing time shall be measured with an accuracy of 0.01 second. As of 12.09.2014, Ukrainian climber Danyl Boldyrev holds the mens 15 meter speed world record,5.60 seconds, iuliia Kaplina from Russia holds the womens 15-meter speed record at 7.53 seconds. The new Team Speed discipline was introduced as a showcase for the 2011 World Championship. It is a competition with teams of three. The teams are made up of 3 athletes of the same sex, before the 2012 set of rules was introduced, the teams had to be mixed sexes
11.
Crack climbing
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Crack climbing is a type of rock climbing in which the climber follows a crack in the rock and uses specialized climbing techniques. The sizes of cracks vary from those that are just barely enough for the fingers to fit inside. Many traditional climbing routes follow crack systems, as they provide opportunities for placing protective equipment. In the context of climbing, cracks are classified by their width in relation to the body, finger, off-finger, hand, off-width. Finger cracks are just wide enough for all or part of the finger to fit inside, off-finger cracks, also called off-hand, are wider than finger cracks, but not large enough for the entire hand to fit inside. Hand cracks are just large enough for the hand to fit inside. Chimney cracks are large enough to fit the body inside. The walls of crack systems rarely run parallel to each other throughout the length of the crack, they frequently constrict inwards. Some of the most challenging climbs follow cracks which run many different widths. Even when a crack is uniform in width, it may require a different approach for each individual climber—a hand crack for a climber may be an off-finger crack for a larger climber. The use of the line as a synonym for route derives from this practice. It was not until the 1980s that extra-wide camming devices proliferated, by the 1990s, crack climbing had diminished in popularity for a variety of reasons. Furthermore, cracks are difficult to simulate in climbing gyms, so those who train indoors are limited to face routes when they climb outside. In 2006, Canadian Sonnie Trotter made the first free ascent of the Cobra Crack in Squamish, British Columbia, in 2011, Tom Randall and Pete Whittaker completed the first free ascent of Century Crack, a 160-foot off-width in Canyonlands National Park, Utah. The crack was first attempted in 2001, and is considered one of the hardest off-width crack climbs in the world. The most fundamental technique used in climbing is jamming, in which the climber forces a body part into the crack such that it exerts force on both walls. This creates the friction needed for the climber to make upward progress, the body part used and its positioning are largely dependent on the width of the crack. For example, some cracks are just wide enough that they can be jammed with an open hand, a crack slightly wider than that may require the hand to be curled into a fist to form an effective jam
12.
Deep-water soloing
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While typically practiced on sea cliffs at high tide, it can also be done on climbs above reservoirs, rivers, and even swimming pools. Often a dinghy is used to pick up the climber as a fall from a taller route can still knock him/her out. Liquid chalk is used in place of a chalk bag as it removes the wastage of loose chalk involved during a fall. Some DWS climbers apply liquid chalk in a line on their forearms so that they may rechalk during the climb, synthetic shoes are also preferable to leather constructed ones as they will not shrink when wet. The practice of deep-water soloing in Majorca has its roots in the late 1970s and this became Majorcas first bouldering venue, and as time went Riera progressed onto the short sea cliffs near there. It was named Psicobloc, which, when translated literally into English, DWS became more mainstream amongst climbing when a couple of short films were made by popular climbing filmmakers - BigUp Productions in 2003. The films featured some of the sports pioneers - Tim Emmett, Klem Loskot, tyulenovo and Kamen Bryag are places for deep water soloing in Bulgaria that recently gained popularity among the local climbing society and surrounding countries in Eastern Europe. They provide enough material to even the real professionals interested for a week. The routes range from 5 to 20 meters and from 5a to 8a, there is also a boulder section. Gibraltar has excellent deep water soloing on Jurassic limestone, the routes are generally steep and interspersed with good traverse sections and large caves. The routes range from 3 meters to 20 meters, all the routes can be easily accessed via the cliff top
13.
Free climbing
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Free climbing more specifically may include solo climbing, traditional climbing, sport climbing and bouldering. Free climbing should not be confused with aid climbing, in specific aid climbing equipment is also used to assist the climber in ascending the climb. The term free climbing originally meant free from aid, in lead climbing, a climber climbs a route from the ground up. For protection against a fall, the lead climber trails a rope which is managed by a belayer who remains on the ground or at an established anchor. As the leader climbs, they either place traditional protection such as cams and stoppers, or clip their rope through pre-placed bolted hangers or fixed anchors. The belayer feeds rope to the climber through a belay device, keeping a minimum amount of slack in the system. The leader climbs until the top is reached, and they can then belay the climber from above. Both climber and belayer attach the rope to their climbing harnesses, the rope is tied into the climbers harness with a figure-of-eight loop or double bowline knot. The leader either places their own protection or clips into permanent protection already attached to the rock, in traditional climbing, the protection generally is removable. However, many significant first ascents in the U. S. done with a combination of crack gear, usually nuts or spring-loaded camming devices are set in cracks in the rock. In sport climbing the protection is metal loops called hangers, hangers are secured to the rock with either expanding masonry bolts taken from the construction industry, or by placing glue-in bolt systems. In ice climbing the protection is made-up of ice screws or similar devices hammered or screwed into the ice by the leader, the lead climber typically connects the rope to the protection with carabiners or quickdraws. If the lead climber falls, they will fall twice the length of the rope from the last protection point, plus rope stretch, plus slack. If any of the breaks or pulls out of the rock or if the belayer fails to lock off the belay device immediately. Thus if a climber is 2 meters above the last protection they will fall 2 meters to the protection,2 meters below the protection, plus rope stretch and slack, if the leader falls, the belayer must arrest the rope to stop the fall. To achieve this the rope is run through a device attached to the belayers harness. The belay device runs the rope through a series of curves that. Some of the more types of belay devices are the ATC Belay Device
14.
Free solo climbing
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Unlike in bouldering, free soloists typically climb above safe heights, where a fall would always result in serious injury or death. In ordinary free climbing, safety gear is used to protect from falls, other reasons given are the intense concentration required and, for some, the adrenaline rush. The practice is confined to routes familiar to the climber. However, inherent risks such as rocks or sudden change in weather are always present. The sport has produced a number of practitioners, made famous by photos of a climber totally alone. Two of the most famous free soloists, Alain Robert, and Dan Goodwin, have also scaled dozens of skyscrapers around the world — a sport known as buildering —, there are few climbers who have free solo climbed in the 5.14 range. This list does not include highball boulder ascents because the climbers here did not use any padding or spotters, there is some debate on the blurred line between highball bouldering and short free solo climbs. 5. 14b - Darwin Dixit - Margalef, Spain - Dave MacLeod,5. 14a - Kommunist - Tyrol, Austria - Alexander Huber,2004. Paul Preuss died during an attempt to make the first ascent of the North Ridge of the Mandlkogel free solo, tobin Sorenson died from a fall during a solo attempt of the Mount Albertas North Face. Jimmy Jewell fell to his death from Poor Mans Peuterey at Tremadog, ironically, he was using the route as a shortcut from a local pub to his climbing club hut, the route was well below his usual grade and capability. Derek Hersey died in an accident while soloing the Steck-Salathé Route free solo, dwight Bishop fell climbing alone and unroped, Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park, The Grand Traverse. Jimmy Ray Forester fell while free-soloing in El Potrero Chico, Mexico, Forester, an experienced, talented climber, failed to return to camp after setting out on The Scariest Ride in the Park, a 40-pitch 5.9 ridge route known for loose rock. He was found the day at the base of the wall. George Gardner fell to his death while free soloing in Grand Teton National Park, John Bachar died in a free solo accident at Dike Wall near Mammoth Lakes, California. Akihira Tawara died while free climbing the Directissima 5.8 route on Yamnuska. Michael Ybarra died climbing solo on The Matterhorn Peak in Californias Sierra Nevada Mountains, brad Parker fell about 300 feet to his death while attempting to climb Matthes Crest Traverse in Yosemite, CA. Andrew Barnes died falling 50 ft free solo climbing in New Yorks Shawangunk Mountains. Angus Moloney died falling 100 ft free-solo climbing from the Fifth Pinnacle above the Gregory Canyon Trail, Boulders Open Space, alternatives to free soloing include, Free climbing with the use of ropes to prevent a fall. Bouldering, climbing at heights low enough that a fall would normally be safe, deep water soloing, climbing over a body of water
15.
Ice climbing
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Ice climbing is the activity of ascending inclined ice formations. Usually, ice climbing refers to roped and protected climbing of features such as icefalls, frozen waterfalls, for the purposes of climbing, ice can be broadly divided into two spheres, alpine ice and water ice. Alpine ice is found in an environment, usually requires an approach to reach. Water ice is found on a cliff or other outcropping beneath water flows. Alpine ice is frozen precipitation whereas water ice is a liquid flow of water. Technical grade is, however, independent of ice type and both types of ice vary greatly in consistency according to weather conditions, Ice can be soft, hard, brittle or tough. Mixed climbing is ascent involving both ice climbing and rock climbing, a climber chooses equipment according to the slope and texture of the ice. On short, low angled slopes, one can use an ice axe to chop steps, for longer and steeper slopes or glacier travel, crampons are mandatory for a safe climb. Vertical ice climbing is done with crampons and ice axes, climbers kick their legs to engage the front points of the crampons in the ice and this technique is known as front pointing. The strength of the ice is often surprising, even if the axe goes in only a centimeter or so it is enough to pull up on, if a climber is leading, they will need to place ice screws as protection on the way up. Most mountaineers would only consider the last scenario true ice climbing, some important techniques and practices common in rock climbing that are employed in ice climbing include knowledge of rope systems, tying in, belaying, leading, abseiling, and lowering. Beginners should learn these techniques before attempting to ice climb and it is highly recommended that one acquire knowledge from experts and experienced ice climbers. Single, double, and twin rope are the three main rope systems used in ice climbing, the single rope system, which is suited for straight climbing routes, is the most commonly used rock climbing system in the world. Also often used in climbing is the rope system which is a more flexible system than the single rope system. Lastly, the rope system, which uses two twin ropes in a single rope system, is used for longer multi-pitch routes. Impact force on ice is an issue, with double ropes gaining popularity over twins, tying in entails attaching the rope to the climbing harness. This technique is a must particularly when leading a climb or belaying, a commonly used tie-in knot is the Figure-of-eight follow through, but the Bowline and Thumb knot is often preferred, since it is easier to untie when frozen. This technique should be done properly to ensure safety when ice climbing
16.
Climbing wall
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A climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with grips for hands and feet, usually used for indoor climbing, but sometimes located outdoors. Some are brick or wooden constructions, but on most modern walls, recently, manufactured steel and aluminum have also been used. The wall may have places to attach belay ropes, but may also be used to lead climbing or bouldering. Each hole contains a specially formed t-nut to allow modular climbing holds to be screwed onto the wall, with manufactured steel or aluminum walls, an engineered industrial fastener is used to secure climbing holds. The face of the multiplex board climbing surface is covered with textured products including concrete, in addition to the textured surface and hand holds, the wall may contain surface structures such as indentions and protrusions, or take the form of an overhang, underhang or crack. Some grips are formed to mimic the conditions of outdoor rock, including some that are oversized, the earliest artificial climbing walls were typically small concrete faces with protrusions made of medium-sized rocks for hand holds. Schurman Rock in Seattle, WA is believed to be the first artificial climbing structure in the United States, the modern artificial climbing wall began in the UK. The first wall was created in 1964 by Don Robinson, a lecturer in Physical Education by inserting pieces of rock into a corridor wall, the first commercial wall was built in Sheffield, traditionally Englands centre for climbing due to its proximity to the Peak District. The first indoor climbing gym in the U. S. was established by Vertical World in Seattle, the simplest type of wall is of plywood construction, known colloquially in the climbing community as a woody, with a combination of either bolt-on holds or screw on holds. Bolt-on holds are fixed to a wall with iron bolts which are inserted through the hold, which will have specific bolt points, screw-on holds are, by contrast, usually much smaller, owing to the nature of their fixing. These holds are connected to the wall by screws which may be fastened anywhere on the walls surface, holds come in different colours, those of the same colour often being used to denote a route, allowing routes of different difficulty levels to be overlaid on one another. Coloured tape placed under climbing holds is another way that is used to mark different climbing routes. The grade of the route is usually a decision between the setter of the route and the first few people who climb the route. Many indoor climbing walls have people who are assigned to set these different climbing routes and these people are called route setters or course setters. As indoor climbing walls are used to check the development of climbers ability. Climbing Indoor climbing UK Climbing Wall Manufacturers Association Climbing Wall Association, a US non-profit, industry trade association
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Lead climbing
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Lead climbing is a climbing technique used to ascend a route. The lead climber must have another person acting as a belayer, the belayer has multiple roles, holding the rope in the event of a fall, and paying out or taking up rope as the climber moves. As lead climbing does not require a pre-placed anchor at the top of the route, also, because a lead climber does not have an anchor point above them while climbing, only the limbs and body of the climber are used to effect upward progress. Carabiners are only placed to catch the climber in the event of a fall, when lead climbing, the lead climber or leader wears a harness tied to one end of a rope. The leaders partner provides the belay, paying out rope as needed, the lead climber ascends the route, periodically placing protection for safety in the event of a fall. Distances between pieces of protection can range from three to forty feet or more, although most often the distance is six and twelve feet. At any point, the length of a fall will be at least twice that of the distance to the most recently placed protection, for example, if a leader is ten feet above the last piece of protection, a fall will be a minimum of twenty feet. Realistically, the fall would likely include several more feet due to elasticity and slack. A fall of 20 feet is more severe if it occurs with 10 feet of rope out than if it occurs 100 feet above the belayer. This is common when climbing or climbing short routes. The leader belays the lower climber up to the anchors, on the way up, the climber cleans the protection placed by the leader. This is common when climbing multi-pitch routes, where this process is repeated once for each pitch and it is unusual but not impossible to see some pieces of permanent protection installed in the rock on some trad climbing routes. Lead climbing is done for several reasons, often, placing a top-rope is not an option because the anchors are not accessible by any means other than climbing. Sport climbing and traditional climbing both utilize lead climbing techniques for practical reasons, as well as stylistic reasons, lead climbing also gives more of a thrill for the climber, because they know that they may fall much greater distances than if they were using a top-rope. Turtling can occur if one of the limbs is behind the rope. The climber is flipped upside down, like a turtle on its back, sometimes this can even eject the climber from the harness and is typically quite painful. Rock Climbing Climbing equipment Sport Climbing Glossary of climbing terms Traditional Climbing
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Mixed climbing
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Mixed climbing is a combination of ice climbing and rock climbing generally using ice climbing equipment such as crampons and ice tools. Mixed climbing has inspired its own specialized gear such as boots which are similar to climbing shoes, dry-tooling is mixed climbings most specialized skill and has since evolved into a sport unto itself. Roughly follows the WI rating system with respect to its physical and technical demands, subgrades of - and + are commonly used, although the distinctions are typically very subjective. The following table makes a comparison with the Yosemite Decimal System, comparing these is rough and only gives an idea of the relative difficulty, the reason different systems exist in the first place is because its difficult to compare grades between climbing media
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Mountaineering
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The term mountaineering describes the sport of mountain climbing, including ski mountaineering. Hiking in the mountains can also be a form of mountaineering when it involves scrambling, or short stretches of the more basic grades of rock climbing. All require experience, athletic ability, and technical knowledge to maintain safety, mountaineering is often called Alpinism, especially in European languages, which implies climbing with difficulty such high and often snow and ice-covered mountains as the Alps. A mountaineer with such great skill is called an Alpinist, historically, many cultures have harbored superstitions about mountains, which they often regarded as sacred due to their proximity with heaven, such as Mount Olympus for the Ancient Greeks. In 1492 Antoine de Ville, lord of Domjulien and Beaupré, was the first to ascend the Mont Aiguille, in France, with a team, using ladders. It appears to be the first recorded climb of any technical difficulty, in 1573 Francesco De Marchi and Francesco Di Domenico ascended Corno Grande, the highest peak in the Apennine Mountains. During the Enlightenment, as a product of the new spirit of curiosity for the natural world, in 1741 Richard Pococke and William Windham made a historic visit to Chamonix. By the early 19th century many of the peaks were reached, including the Grossglockner in 1800, the Ortler in 1804, the Jungfrau in 1811, the Finsteraarhorn in 1812. In 1808 Marie Paradis became the first female to climb Mont Blanc and this inaugurated what became known as the Golden age of alpinism, with the first mountaineering club - the Alpine Club - being founded in 1857. Well-known guides of the era include Christian Almer, Jakob Anderegg, Melchior Anderegg, J. J. Bennen, Michel Croz, in the early years of the golden age, scientific pursuits were intermixed with the sport, such as by the physicist John Tyndall. In the later years, it shifted to a more competitive orientation as pure sportsmen came to dominate the London-based Alpine Club and this ascent is generally regarded as marking the end of the mountaineering golden age. By this point the sport of mountaineering had largely reached its modern form, with a body of professional guides, equipment, mountaineering in the Americas became popular in the 1800s. In North America, Pikes Peak in the Colorado Rockies was first climbed by Edwin James, though lower than Pikes Peak, the heavily glaciated Fremont Peak in Wyoming was thought to be the tallest mountain in the Rockies when it was first climbed by John C. Frémont and two others in 1842, pico de Orizaba, the tallest peak in Mexico and third tallest in North America, was first climbed by U. S. military personnel which included William F. Raynolds and a half dozen other climbers in 1848. Heavily glaciated and more technical climbs in North American were not achieved until the late 19th, in 1897 Mount Saint Elias on the Alaska-Yukon border was summitted by the Duke of the Abruzzi and party. But it was not until 1913 that Mount Mckinley, the tallest peak in North America was successfully climbed by Hudson Stuck, Mount Logan, the tallest peak in Canada was first summitted by a half dozen climbers in 1925 in an expedition that took more than two months. In 1879-1880 the exploration of the highest Andes in South America began when English mountaineer Edward Whymper climbed Chimborazo, the summit of Aconcagua was finally reached on January 14,1897 by Swiss mountaineer Matthias Zurbriggen during an expedition led by Edward FitzGerald that began in December 1896. The Andes of Bolivia were first explored by Sir William Martin Conway in 1898 and it took until the late 19th century for European explorers to penetrate Africa
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Rock climbing
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Rock climbing is an activity in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a usually pre-defined route without falling. Due to the length and extended endurance required and because accidents are likely to happen on descent than ascent. It is very rare for a climber to downclimb, especially on the larger multiple pitches, professional Rock climbing competitions have the objectives of either completing the route in the quickest possible time or attaining the farthest point on an increasingly difficult route. Scrambling, another activity involving the scaling of hills and similar formations, is similar to rock climbing, however, rock climbing is generally differentiated by its sustained use of hands to support the climbers weight as well as to provide balance. Rock climbing is a physically and mentally demanding sport, one that often tests a climbers strength, endurance, agility and it can be a dangerous activity and knowledge of proper climbing techniques and usage of specialized climbing equipment is crucial for the safe completion of routes. Because of the range and variety of rock formations around the world. Paintings dating from 200 BC show Chinese men rock climbing China woop woop, in early America, the cliff-dwelling Anasazi in the 12th century were thought to be excellent climbers. Early European climbers used rock climbing techniques as a required to reach the summit in their mountaineering exploits. In the 1880s, European rock climbing become an independent pursuit outside of mountain climbing, Rock climbing evolved gradually from an alpine necessity to a distinct athletic activity. However, climbing techniques, equipment and ethical considerations have evolved steadily, today, free climbing, climbing using holds made entirely of natural rock while using gear solely for protection and not for upward movement, is the most popular form of the sport. Free climbing has since divided into several sub-styles of climbing dependent on belay configuration. Over time, grading systems have also created in order to compare more accurately the relative difficulties of the rock climbs. In How to Rock Climb, John Long notes that for moderately skilled climbers simply getting to the top of a route is not enough, in rock climbing, style refers to the method of ascending the cliff. There are three styles of climbing, on-sight, flash, and redpoint. To on-sight a route is to ascend the wall without aid or any foreknowledge and it is considered the way to climb with the most style. Flashing is similar to on-sighting, except that the climber has previous information about the route including talking about the beta with other climbers, redpointing means to make a free ascent of the route after having first tried it. Free climbing is typically divided into styles that differ from one another depending on the choice of equipment used
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Rope climbing
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Rope climbing is a sport in which competitors attempt to climb up a suspended vertical rope using only their hands. Rope climbing is practiced regularly at the World Police and Fire Games, and is enjoying a resurgence in France, also, enthusiasts in the Czech Republic resurrected the sport in 1993, and hold local and national competitions. This was an Olympic gymnastic event at one time, but was removed from that venue after the 1932 games, as a result, intercollegiate competition in the U. S. disappeared at this time. In Olympic games held in the U. S. competitors climbed a 25 ft rope, but when post-1896 games were held in Europe, in almost all contests, athletes climbed for speed, starting from a seated position on the floor and using only the hands and arms. Kicking the legs in a kind of stride was normally permitted, however, at the 1896 Olympic games, competitors were ranked by both time and style on a rope so long that some climbers did not reach the top and were therefore excluded. In all succeeding Olympics through the 1932 games, competitors were judged strictly by time of ascent on a shorter rope, at the top of the climb, there was a circular tambourine with lampblack on its underside, which the climber touched. Several timers with stop watches timed the climb, and an official time was then agreed upon. The world record for the 20 ft. climb was 2.8 seconds, the World Record record of 27. 8m/5.5 upward climbs was set by Marcus Bondi on 31/1/10 in the TV studio of Australia Smashes Guinness World Records verified by Official Guinness supervision. The Dana Carvey character Garth Algar once intimated something similar in Waynes World stating That is a babe and she makes me feel kinda funny, like when we used to climb the rope in gym class. Aerial silk Gymnastics History and description of the sport
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Slab climbing
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Slab climbing is a type of rock climbing where the rock face is at an angle of less steep than vertical. It is characterized by balance- and friction-dependent moves on very small holds and it is often not leadable, or climbable from the ground up, unless it has pre-drilled bolts to protect the climb, making most slab climbs either top rope climbing or sport climbing. Special techniques such as smearing are necessary to climb slab and it is a type of face climbing and is distinctly different from crack climbing. Slab climbing is a new area of climbing, having become more popular in the last 30 years. The first routes put up on new cliffs almost always follow cracks, due to the ease of placing protection, or pieces of equipment which arrest a fall, slab climbs rarely have cracks or other features that can be protected. Therefore, slab climbs are usually discovered well after the cracks are all climbed, as a result, it was not until the introduction of bolting routes that hard slab lines could be climbed. In 1927, Laurent Grivel designed the first rock drill and expansion bolt, the next advancement for slab climbing did not come until 1980 when Boreal marketed the first sticky rubber shoe, allowing friction climbing to be more feasible. Before this, most climbing was done in boots or thick soled shoes, a new generation of climbers has begun to revive slab climbing, putting up some of the hardest routes in the world. Slab climbing is one of the most technically demanding styles of climbing, unlike overhanging or vertical routes, where strong muscles are very important, slab climbing demands intense concentration and precise foot placement. A central technique used on slab walls is smearing, placing a foot directly on smooth rock where no feature exists, pressure is applied and the friction between the shoe and the rock allows the climber to move on the wall. Smearing performance depends on a shoe and the type of rock. Smooth rock, such as quartzite, is difficult to smear on, the angle of the slab also plays a large part in the difficulty of the move. A60 degree slab is easier to smear on than an 80 degree slab, a good smear also puts as much shoe in contact with the rock as possible. The foot should be flat, instead of using just the points of the toes to smear. Climbers must keep their center of gravity directly above their feet in slab climbing, a climber that keeps their weight too close to the wall risks pushing their feet off the wall. This means a climber will often have their hips away from the rock, a climber’s hands are often used to assist in this positioning by pushing out against the wall. Slab climbing requires smooth movement over the rock, instead of long, short steps should be taken to maintain balance, and the arms should be kept in contact with the rock. Slab climbing almost never has dynamic moves, falling is usually dangerous on slab because of poor protection and the nature of the rock
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Speed climbing
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Speed climbing is climbing in which speed is the ultimate goal. Speed Climbing is done on rocks, walls and poles, in pure speed climbing, time is everything but it is also common to record speed ascents while observing a particular climbing style or ethic. For example, there are many speed records in which the climb was done according to free climbing ethics, in popular culture speed climbing may be best known for a viral video featuring Dan Osman climbing Lovers Leap via the Bears Reach route in 4 min 25 sec. This clip was featured in the movie Masters of Stone IV. Competition speed climbing as governed by the International Federation of Sport Climbing takes place on 10m or 15m artificial walls, competitors climb a slightly overhanging IFSC certified wall, with belaying from the top. Since 2007 the IFSC has created a wall for the world record. The holds and order are always identical, and the difficulty rating is around F6b, the climbing time is determined by mechanical-electric timing but manual timing is also possible. When mechanical-electric timing is used, the time shall be measured with an accuracy of 0.01 second. As of 12.09.2014, Ukrainian climber Danyl Boldyrev holds the mens 15 meter speed world record,5.60 seconds, iuliia Kaplina from Russia holds the womens 15-meter speed record at 7.53 seconds. Speed climbing World Champions 2016 are Marcin Dzieński from Poland and Anna Tsyganova from Russia, IFSC Climbing World Championships took place in Paris, France. Full speed climbing is done in such a way that maximizes speed, when climbing with a partner the climbers will alternate between regular free climbing, simul climbing, aiding, and at times sections of roped soloing. Speed climbing can also be done by an individual in which alternate between forms of rope soloing, aiding, and free soloing. Strictly speaking this type of speed climbing is not a style, however the complexity of combining all the styles together leads to what can be recognized as a separate style with its own particular techniques used in no other style. Records can be recorded while climbing in a particular style, each of the methods ultimately handicap the rate of progress with the exception of free soloing. The simplest way to increase the speed of climbing is to shed all safety precautions such as belaying and placing protection and this leads to free soloing as rapidly as possible. While strictly speaking this qualifies as full speed climbing or a type of climbing it is different enough to be recognized as its own category of speed climbing. Most speed climbing records lack the standards normally associated with objective records, Hans Florine has written I will be the first to say that climbing is silly. To make rules about it is just piling ridiculous on top of silly, there are no sanctioned speed climbing competitions on significant rock features
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Sport climbing
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Sport climbing is a form of rock climbing that relies on permanent anchors fixed to the rock for protection. This is in contrast to traditional, climbing where climbers must place removable protection as they climb, Sport climbing emphasises strength, endurance, gymnastic ability and technique over adventure, risk and self-sufficiency. While sport climbing is common in many world wide, it is heavily restricted in some places where it is considered ethically unacceptable to bolt climbs. This, in addition to the need to place gear, tends to result in different styles of climbing between sport and trad, on August 3,2016, Sport climbing was added to the 2020 Summer Olympics program. On a sport climbing route, pre-placed bolts follow a line up a rock face, Sport climbs can vary in length from a few metres to a full 60-metre rope length for multi-pitch climbs. The climbs might be equipped with just a few bolts or many, Sport climbing can be undertaken with relatively little equipment. As each bolt is reached along the route, the climber attaches a quickdraw to the bolt and this bolt is now protecting the climber in the event of a fall. At the top of sport routes, there is typically a two-bolt anchor that can be used to return the climber to the ground or previous rappel point. Because sport routes do not require placing protection, the climber can concentrate on the difficulty of the rather than placing protection or the consequences of a fall. Sport climbing differs from traditional climbing with respect to the type, traditional climbing uses mostly removable protection, and tends to minimize the usage of pre-placed protection. Sport climbing typically involves single pitch routes but can have multi-pitch routes, long multi-pitch routes may lack pre-placed anchors due to economical, logistical or ethical reasons. Rock types that produce good sport climbs include limestone, granite and quartzite, Sport climbs are assigned subjective ratings to indicate difficulty. The type of rating depends on the location of the route, since different countries. The UIAA grading system is used for short rock routes in Western Germany, Austria and Switzerland. On long routes it is used in the Alps and Himalaya. Using Roman numerals, it was intended to run from I to X. An optional + or − may be used to further differentiate difficulty, as of 2004, the hardest climbs are XII−. The Ewbank rating system, used in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, is a numerical open-ended system, starting from 1, the French rating system considers the overall difficulty of the climb, taking into account the difficulty of the moves and the length of climb
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Top rope climbing
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The belayer takes in slack rope throughout the climb, so that if at any point the climber were to lose their hold, they would not fall more than a short distance. Top-roping is often done on routes that cannot be climbed for one reason or another. Most top-rope anchors can be reached through non-technical means, such as by hiking or scrambling to the top of the cliff and it is the most common style used at indoor climbing walls and is also used in situations where other methods would be unsafe or environmentally damaging. For example, in Kent and Sussex in south-east England, the rock is soft and prone to erosion. There, top-roping from permanent anchors and solo climbing are the forms of ascent allowed. A dynamic rope should be used for the climbers, for anchors which are set back from the cliff edge, extending the anchor using multiple slings, a long adjustable-length sling, or a length of static line is common. Most practitioners run the rope through two screwgate carabiners attached to the anchor, to provide backup in case one becomes undone. In the interests of safety at least two separate and redundant anchor points should be used, with forces distributed as evenly between them as possible. In the photo above, it can be seen only the two locking carabiners protrude over the cliff edge, allowing the climbing rope a relatively free run from belayer to climber. Many novice climbers initially experience the sport through top-roping, university of Oregon Outdoor Pursuits Program, Climbing Anchors
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Traditional climbing
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Traditional climbing, or trad climbing, is a style of rock climbing in which a climber or group of climbers place all gear required to protect against falls, and removes it when a passage is complete. Traditional bolted face climbing means the bolts were placed on lead and/or with hand drills, the bolts tend to be much farther apart than sport climbs. For example, a trad bolted routes may have bolts from 15–75 feet apart, a sport route may have bolts from 3–10 feet apart, similar to a rock climbing gym. The term seems to be coined by Tom Higgins in the piece Tricksters, a trad climber is called a traditionalist. Characterizing climbing as traditional distinguishes it from bolted climbing-either trad bolted or sport climbing, in trad climbing, a leader ascends a section of rock placing his or her own protective devices while climbing. John Longs 1989 technique manual How to Rock Climb used the sport climbing repeatedly in reference to what is now considered traditional climbing. This evolution in climbing ethics has been attributed to the efforts of Yvon Chouinard and many others, the term gear in climbing generally refers to equipment used during climbs. Gear or protection are mechanical devices that provide safety, either by allowing greater stability in making a move or by dampening force, the suitability of individual types of gear depends on the surface and formation of the rock face. The phrase placing gear denotes the act of setting a piece of gear into the rock face, in the event of a fall, the gear acts as a catch-point for the rope, thus preventing the climber from hurtling to the ground. Being run out refers to the situation where the distance from the position to the last piece of gear is far enough that the climber will receive little, if any. Nuts started being developed in the 1950s in the UK, with the pieces being made from discarded machine nuts with slings threaded through them. These gradually developed into purpose built nuts, prior to about 1970 in the United States, climbing relied mainly on pitons, other types of gear such as nuts, Hexcentrics, Tricams and spring-loaded cams were largely unknown or did not exist. As other variants of climbing were not nominally in existence as well, all climbing was in effect trad climbing until the early 1980s when sport climbing emerged in Europe, since the 1970s, developments in protective gear have made climbing much safer and more dynamic. Modern traditional climbs only occasionally have fixed gear, except in the case where cracks are lacking to place adequate removable gear and it is also considered bad style to install new protection bolts or pitons on existing climbs that can be completed without them. Many of the existing pitons, pegs and bolts from the first ascents of routes done many years ago, are now considered to be in bad condition having suffered from the weathering. This is especially present on sea cliffs where the nature of the air has sped up the oxidisation to create rust. A number of knots are required for climbing, to create anchors, to tie in the climbers. Water knot is used for connecting two pieces of webbing together, double bowline is used for tying in, or anchoring around a fixed object
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Tree climbing
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Tree climbing is a recreational or functional activity consisting of ascending and moving around in the crown of trees. A rope, helmet, and harness can be used to ensure the safety of the climber, other equipment can also be used depending on the experience and skill of the tree climber. Some tree climbers take special hammocks called Treeboats and Portaledges with them into the canopies where they can enjoy a picnic or nap. Some tree-climbers employ a mixture of techniques and gear derived from rock climbing and caving and these techniques are also used to climb trees for other purposes, tree care, animal rescue, research, and activism. Children commonly climb trees for play without the use of equipment, professional arborists have been climbing trees since the late 19th century in the UK and North America. Tree climbing as a recreational activity using modern climbing equipment emerged in the early 1980s in USA. In 1983, Peter Treeman Jenkins, an active arborist and retired rock climber, founded Tree Climbers International, TCI eventually developed written safety and training rules for tree climbing which are used to this day. Now there are numerous organizations promoting tree climbing around the world, from those initial meetings, GOTC was formed and incorporated as a charitable, nonprofit organization. Today, GOTC provides training curricula and safe climb guidelines in use worldwide and adopted by experiential organizations including the AEE. Climbing a tree every day for a year, or for longer, has become a challenge taken up by several artists, Todd Smith from Louisville, KY, USA, climbed a tree every day for 3 years. Henrik G Dahle, invited people to climb with him and interviewed people in the canopy of trees, including former 365 tree climber Leo Murray of Monkeydo, who now facilitates tree top adventures. Other artists include Christopher B Gray from Connecticut, USA, Kamila Wajda from Przybowka, Poland and Cecylia Malik from Kraków, many different techniques are used to climb trees depending on the climbers individual style, purpose, and preferences. Of course free tree climbing has been practiced throughout the history of the human race, technologically-aided tree climbing is performed by lapping a long rope over a limb and ascending the fallen end using a friction knot tied from initial ties excess tail. This is done remotely from the ground utilizing a throw weight, the throw weight is a small canvas sack filled with shot and adorned with a ring on one end for attaching a lightweight pilot line. It is then launched toward the targeted branch, once over the branch, the weight must return to the ground, and may have to be manipulated so as to isolate a single anchor point, or for SRT into an optimal redirect. The throw bag is removed, the climbing line is tied on. The doubled-rope technique is used to belay the climber in such a way that the rope can be retrieved without going back up the tree. One end of the rope is fastened to the saddle, from there the rope passes around the tree and back to a friction hitch
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Rock-climbing equipment
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A wide range of equipment is used during rock or any other type of climbing. The most popular types of climbing equipment are briefly described in this article, the article on protecting a climb describes equipment commonly used to protect a climber against the consequences of a fall. See also the Glossary of climbing terms for more equipment descriptions, climbing ropes are typically of kernmantle construction, consisting of a core of long twisted fibres and an outer sheath of woven coloured fibres. The core provides about 80% of the strength, while the sheath is a durable layer that protects the core. Ropes used for climbing can be divided into two classes, dynamic ropes and low elongation ropes, dynamic ropes are designed to absorb the energy of a falling climber, and are usually used as Belaying ropes. When a climber falls, the rope stretches, reducing the force experienced by the climber, their belayer. Low elongation ropes stretch much less, and are used in anchoring systems. They are also used for abseiling and as fixed ropes climbed with ascenders, modern webbing or tape is made of nylon or Spectra/Dyneema, or a combination of the two. Climbing-specific nylon webbing is generally tubular webbing, that is, it is a tube of nylon pressed flat and it is very strong, generally rated in excess of 9 kN, or about 2,020 pounds of force. Dyneema is even stronger, often rated above 20 kN and as high as 27 kN, in 2010, UK-based DMM performed fall factor 1 and 2 tests on various Dyneema and Nylon webbings, showing Dyneema slings can fail even under 60 cm falls. Tying knots in Dyneema webbing was proven to have reduced the amount of supported force by as much as half. When webbing is sewn or tied together at the ends, it becomes a sling or runner and these loops are made one of two ways—sewn or tied. Both ways of forming runners have advantages and drawbacks, and it is for the climber to choose which to use. Generally speaking, most climbers carry a few of both types and it is also important to note that only nylon can be safely knotted into a runner, Dyneema is always sewn because the fibers are too slippery to hold a knot under weight. Webbing has many such as, Extending the distance between protection and a tie-in point. An anchor around a tree or rock, protecting a rope that hangs over a sharp edge. Carabiners are metal loops with spring-loaded gates, used as connectors, once made primarily from steel, almost all carabiners for recreational climbing are now made from a light weight aluminum alloy. Steel carabiners are much heavier, but harder wearing, and therefore are used by instructors when working with groups
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Glossary of climbing terms
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This page describes terms and jargon related to climbing and mountaineering. Abalakov thread A type of abseiling point used especially in winter, ablation zone The area of a glacier where yearly melting meets or exceeds the annual snow fall. Abseil The process by which a climber can descend a fixed rope, ACR An anchor method similar to a cordelette but that is dynamically equalizing. It employs a cord and a rappel ring, adze A thin blade mounted perpendicular to the handle on an ice axe that can be used for chopping footholds. Aid climbing A style of climbing in which standing on or pulling oneself up via devices attached to fixed or placed protection is used to make upward progress, Alpine climbing, Generally climbing in the mountains. Probably includes a mixture of ice climbing and dry-tooling, Alpine style generally means carrying all gear in a backpack even for multi day climbs. Alpine knee To use your knee as a way to ground on a climb. Alpine start To make an efficient start on a climb by packing all your gear the previous evening and starting early in the morning. Altitude sickness A medical condition that is observed at high altitudes. Also known as Acute mountain sickness, or AMS and this creates a triangular shape in the webbing or cord, which places massively multiplied inward forces on the protection, making it a dangerous, ineffective anchor. Anchor An arrangement of one or more pieces of set up to support the weight of a belay or top rope. Approach The path or route to the start of a technical climb, although this is generally a walk or, at most, a scramble it is occasionally as hazardous as the climb itself. Arm bar Jamming an arm into a crack and locking it into place, in this position typically the first set of knuckles are hyperextended and the second have a sharp angle of about 90 degrees. This combines muscular effort with soft tissue tensions in order to apply the load, when used often, this position has been known to over-stress the tendons in fingers and lead to injuries. Ascend To climb a rope using aid device, ascender A device for ascending on a rope. Aspect The direction in which a slope faces, ATC A proprietary belay device manufactured by Black Diamond. Has become common term for any tubular belay devices, ATC originally stood for Air Traffic Controller. Automatic belay A fast method for setting up a two-point anchor in sport climbing, using the rope to attach to the anchor points
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Belaying
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Belaying refers to a variety of techniques climbers use to exert tension on a climbing rope so that a falling climber does not fall very far. The term belay also means the place where the belayer is anchored, this is typically a ledge, but may be a hanging belay, where the belayer is suspended from protection in the rock. In a typical climbing situation, one end of the rope is fixed to the harness of the climber, using either a Rewoven Figure Eight, bowline, the rope then passes through climbing protection, which is fixed into the rock. Attachment to the rocks may be via bolts that are fixed into the rock, or by traditional protection that the climber places. The rope runs through the protection to a person called the belayer. The belayer wears a harness that has a device attached. The rope threads through the belay device, by altering the position of the end of the rope, the belayer can vary the amount of tension on the rope. In one position, the rope runs freely through the belay device, in another position, it can easily be held without moving, because the tension on the rope is so great. This is called locking off the rope, if the climber climbs three feet higher than the last piece of protection in the rock, and then falls, the rope allows him to fall the three feet to the protection, and another three feet below that. If they fall any further, rope is pulled upwards through the protection from the belayer below, because the belayer generally keeps the rope locked off, the climbers fall should be arrested and they are left suspended, but safe, somewhere below the protection. A dynamic rope, which has some stretch in it, is used so that the climber is not brought to a sudden jarring stop. Some climbers choose static ropes for abseiling/rapelling because its easier to use, while the task of belaying is typically assigned to a companion who stays at the bottom, self-belaying is also possible as an advanced technical climbing technique. The person climbing is said to be on belay when one of these methods is used. Belaying is a part of the climbing system. A correct belaying method lets the belayer hold the weight of the climber with relatively little force. By using a mixture of belaying angle and hand-grip on the rope, the belayer should keep the rope locked off in the belay device whenever the climber is not moving. As the climber moves on the climb, the belayer must make sure that the climber has the amount of rope by paying out or pulling in excess rope. If the climber falls, they free-fall the distance of the slack or unprotected rope before the friction applied by the belayer starts to slow their descent
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Grade (climbing)
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In rock climbing, mountaineering and other climbing disciplines, climbers give a grade to a climbing route that concisely describes the difficulty and danger of climbing the route. Different aspects of climbing each have their own grading system, and many different nationalities developed their own, different grading systems consider these factors in different ways, so no two grading systems have an exact one-to-one correspondence. They may be the opinion of one or a few climbers, a grade for an individual route may also be a consensus reached by many climbers who have climbed the route. While grades are usually applied fairly consistently across a climbing area, because of these variables, a given climber might find a route to be either easier or more difficult than expected for the grade applied. In 1894, the Austrian mountaineer Fritz Benesch introduced the first known grading system for rock climbing, the Benesch scale had seven levels of difficulty, with level VII the easiest and level I the most difficult. Soon more difficult climbs were made, which originally were graded level 0 and 00, in 1923, the German mountaineer Willo Welzenbach compressed the scale and turned the order around, so that level 00 became level IV-V. It prevailed internationally and was renamed in 1968 as the UIAA scale, originally a 6-grade scale, it has been officially open-ended since 1979. For free climbing, there are many different grading systems varying according to country and they include, The Yosemite Decimal System of grading routes was initially developed as the Sierra Club grading system in the 1930s to rate hikes and climbs in the Sierra Nevada range. The rock climbing portion was developed at Tahquitz Rock in southern California by members of the Rock Climbing Section of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club in the 1950s and it quickly spread to Canada and the rest of the Americas. Originally a single-part classification system, grade and protection rating categories were added later, the new classifications do not apply to every climb and usage varies widely. When a route also involves aid climbing, its unique aid designation can be appended to the YDS free climbing rating, Class 1 is the easiest and consists of walking on even terrain. Class 5 is climbing on vertical or near-vertical rock, and requires skill, un-roped falls would result in severe injury or death. Originally, Class 6 was used to aid climbing. However, the separate A rating system became popular instead, the original intention was that the classes would be subdivided decimally, so that a route graded 4.5 would be a scramble halfway between 4 and 5, and 5.9 would be the hardest rock climb. Increased standards and improved equipment meant that climbs graded 5.9 in the 1960s are now only of moderate difficulty. While the top grade was 5.10, a range of climbs in this grade was completed. Letter grades were added for climbs at 5.10 and above by adding a letter a, b, c, the system originally considered only the technical difficulty of the hardest move on a route. For example, a route of mainly 5.7 moves but with one 5. 11b move would be graded 5. 11b, the YDS system involves an optional Roman numeral grade that indicates the length and seriousness of the route
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Dynamic rope
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A dynamic rope is a specially constructed, somewhat elastic rope used primarily in rock climbing, ice climbing, and mountaineering. This stretch is what makes it dynamic, in contrast to a rope that has very low elongation under load. Greater stretch allows a dynamic rope to absorb the energy of a load such as from a fall more slowly, reducing the peak force. Kernmantle ropes are the most common type of rope, and nylon has replaced all natural materials such as hemp since 1945 for durability. Dynamic climbing ropes are classified into three categories, Single ropes, twin ropes, and half ropes, Single ropes are designed to be used alone, and are by far the most common, and used for top-roping, sport climbing, and trad climbing. Twin ropes are used by treating the pair of ropes as a single rope, half ropes are also used as a pair, but only one rope is clipped through each piece of protection- the climber alternates which rope is clipped through each piece. On wandering routes where protection is placed far apart on either side, some ropes are triple rated, meeting the standards for all three rope types, so they can be used in each configuration. Dynamic ropes used for rock climbing come in a variety of lengths and diameters, with the most common lengths being 50,60, rope diameters are generally between 8. 3mm and 11. 5mm, with the different diameters used for slightly different purposes. Sport and multi-pitch trad climbers often value thinner ropes because they are lighter, lighter, thinner ropes, however, have less strength than a thicker rope and will sustain fewer hard falls. Note that some devices are better suited for different rope diameters. This is particularly relevant with assisted braking devices, such as the Petzl Grigri or the Faders SUM, users must make sure to read the instructions for the device carefully to ensure safety and recognize any limitations to rope diameter. The force rating is often misunderstood by climbers, because all other climbing gear is rated by the strength of the material. Unlike most climbing equipment, dynamic ropes do not have a rated breaking strength. Instead, the strength of a rope is tested by the number of standard test falls a rope can sustain before breaking, the test falls use an 80 kg weight for single ropes, and a fall factor of 1.7. This tests simulates a very hard fall that would rarely occur, Single ropes must sustain at least 5 such falls before breaking, and a rope that can sustain more than 9 falls is considered a multifall rope. In practice, climbing ropes rarely if ever break due to a fall alone- all documented rope failures involve the rope being cut or damaged, ropes are especially vulnerable to being cut while they are weighted with the body of the climber, and moving over a sharp edge. In general, thicker ropes will be stronger and more durable, modern ropes are made from nylon and dont require a great deal of maintenance. Ropes that are used are often inspected for cuts, abrasions, or frayed areas
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Climbing harness
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A harness secures a person to a rope or an anchor point. In its simplest form, a harness can be made from a length of rope or a nylon webbing tied round the waist, more sophisticated harnesses exist in many patterns, designed to give greater comfort and security, and more options for carrying equipment. While harnesses can be improvised, it is common to use commercially produced harnesses. The invention of the climbing harness has been attributed to Jeanne Immink, some of the first climbing harnesses were devised in the U. K. in the early 1960s by Alan Waterhouse, Paul Seddon and Tony Howard who went on to form the Troll climbing equipment manufacturers. A harness designed by British climber Don Whillans was made by Troll for the 1970 Annapurna South Face Expedition and it went into mass production shortly afterwards and soon became popular worldwide. A sit harness consists of a waist belt and two leg loops which are connected in the front of the hips through a permanent webbing loop called a belay loop. These are the most commonly used harnesses for recreational such as abseiling and rock climbing. A chest harness is worn around the shoulders, usually with a sit harness so as to provide an attachment point. This attachment point allows for balance in some situations such as when carrying a heavy pack. A full-body harness is the combination of a sit harness and a chest harness which are permanently or semi-permanently connected to each other and this kind of harness normally offers a wide range of attachment points. It is most commonly used in situations, and also commonly used by small children instead of a sit harness. Most of the harnesses is generally made from webbing and this webbing is often nylon webbing as polyester webbing doesnt hold triglides and d-rings as well, and its easier to untie nylon webbing. The webbing is also tubular webbing, instead of flat webbing. Harness List of climbing knots How to choose a climbing harness
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Climbing protection
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Climbing protection is any of a variety of devices employed to reduce risk and protect others while climbing rock and ice. It includes such items as nylon webbing and metal nuts, cams, bolts, different forms of climbing draw on varying forms of protection and the systems that are created from its elements. There are a number of ways to protect a climb, varying according to the type of climbing, A lead climber places protection in the rock, snow, the rope is clipped through carabiners which are in turn connected to the protection. The belayer pays out rope during the ascent, and manually arrests the climbers fall by locking the rope, aid climbing involves standing on or pulling oneself up via devices attached to fixed or placed protection is used to make upward progress. In contrast to free climbing protection, which can sustain the force of sometimes long falls, top roping involves either placing an anchor at the top of a route before climbing or utilizing a fixed one, then running a rope through it to a belayer on the ground. Solo climbing involves climbing without a partner, soloing can be done with or without protection. A solo climber may place protection and clip in with a tether for safety during a difficult move, then remove the protection. Or they may employ some form of self-locking device, such as a Silent Partner, in lieu of a belayer, additionally, soloing can also be done using a top rope. Bouldering involves climbing routes low to the ground without rope, the chief form of protection from injury used is a bouldering mat, a padded foam-cell mat placed on the ground below a climber. In bouldering, one can utilize a spotter. A spotter is someone who stands near the bouldering mat and guides the climber to the mat in the event of a fall, the gear used to protect climbs includes, Slings are loops of nylon webbing, cord, Dyneema, or rope. Also known as runners, they are used to attach a climbers harness directly to an anchor. They can also be used to other pieces of protection to avoid compromise due to rope drag. Nuts, chocks, or simple cams are metal devices placed in constrictions in cracks and attached to carabiners with wire or nylon slings. Tricams, a hybrid that can be placed as a nut or as a passive camming device Spring-loaded camming device use multiple cams in opposition. These can be placed even in parallel and outward flaring cracks, bolts are anchors fixed in holes drilled in the rock and clipped by the climber with a carabiner. They are placed both by putting up new routes, particularly in aid climbing, and as permanent fixtures on popular routes to reduce wear on rock features. Pitons are metal spikes hammered or hand-placed in thin cracks and clipped through an eye in the piton to a carabiner, skyhooks are talon shaped hooks placed over very small ledges and flakes and secured to a carabiner
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Black Diamond Equipment
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Black Diamond Equipment is a manufacturer of equipment for climbing, skiing and mountain sports, based in Utah, USA. The company also has offices in Reinach BL, Switzerland and Zhuhai. The company is owned by Black Diamond, Inc. a parent company known as Clarus Corporation. Black Diamond Equipment’s history dates back to the late 1950s, when climber Yvon Chouinard began hand-forging pitons, chouinard’s pitons quickly gained a reputation for quality, and Chouinard Equipment was born soon after in Ventura, California. In early 1989, after several product-liability lawsuits and a lack of profitability. Black Diamond was founded on December 1,1989, when the assets of Chouinard Equipment Ltd. were purchased by a group of company employees led by Peter Metcalf. In 1996, Black Diamond Equipment Europe was established in Reinach, Switzerland, in 2006, Black Diamond Equipment Asia was established in Zhuhai, China to serve as both a secondary manufacturing facility as well as a global distribution hub. In May 2010, Black Diamond Equipment was acquired for $90 million by Clarus Corporation which owns Armor Holdings, the resulting corporation was renamed and is now publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the name Black Diamond, Inc. In 2015, Black Diamond announced they would be expanding their Utah manufacturing facility, in 2016, they announced they would be moving their European headquarters from Reinach to Innsbruck in Austria. Black Diamond Equipment design and manufacture products for climbing, skiing and they also produce skiing and avalanche safety equipment. The company’s mountain products include tents and shelters, lighting, trekking poles, over the years, Black Diamond has acquired and integrated several gear companies into its line, including Bibler tents Ascension climbing skins, and Franklin climbing products. In 2010, they acquired Gregory Mountain Products, a manufacturer of backpacks, as is common in safety-equipment industries, Black Diamond have issued many product recalls following safety concerns. Black Diamond say that they recycle as much waste as possible, make use of wind and solar power. List of outdoor industry parent companies Black Diamond Equipment Official Website
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CAMP (company)
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CAMP is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of equipment for climbing and associated activities such as ski mountaineering and industrial safety. The company is based in Italy, the company was founded by Nicola Codega, a blacksmith, in 1889 in the Italian alpine village of Premana, where it is still based. Originally producing wrought-iron goods, an order in 1920 for ice axes for the Italian army was their first foray into the world of climbing equipment, the company is still run by Codegas descendants
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Five Ten Footwear
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Five Ten is an American manufacturer of outdoor and athletic footwear. Founded in 1985 by Charles Cole, Five Ten is one of the climbing shoe manufacturers worldwide. The companys headquarters are located in the city of Redlands, California,50 miles east of Los Angeles, the companys European offices are in Herzogenaurach, Germany. In November 2011, Adidas purchased the company for $25 million USD in cash, Five Ten actively sponsors events and athletes. Five Ten has a number of athletes and teams to focus attention on their products. Five Ten also sponsors events related to the sports for which their products are made. INNOVATORS, Sticking with it, Even though its called Stealth, the rubber sole that Charles Cole developed --
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Grivel (company)
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Grivel Srl is a company that produces tools and equipment for alpinism, climbing and outdoor activities. All the personal safety products, ice axes, crampons, pitons, the company has been certified GS TUF since 1992, ISO9001 since 1996, ISO1400 since 2004. Founded in 1818 in Courmayeur, it is the oldest manufacturer of tools for alpinism in existence, grivel is the surname of the original founders who succeeded each other for generations. The company was sold in 1982 to a group of headed by Giochino Gobbi. Today the company has offices in Courmayeur and Verrayes in the Aosta Valley, in Vivaro in Friuli and Chamonix in France
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The North Face
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The North Face, Inc. is an American outdoor product company specializing in outerwear, fleece, coats, shirts, footwear, and equipment such as backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags. Its clothing and equipment lines are catered towards college students, climbers, mountaineers, skiers, snowboarders, hikers, the company sponsors professional athletes from the worlds of running, climbing, skiing and snowboarding. The North Face began as a San Francisco-based climbing equipment retail store, founded in 1966 by Douglas Tompkins and his then-wife and it was acquired two years later by Kenneth Hap Klopp. The north face of a mountain in the northern hemisphere is generally the coldest, iciest and most formidable route to climb, for a time, the store offered only highly selective merchandise, targeted to climbers and backpackers. By the 1980s, skiwear was added, followed by camping equipment, the North Face is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the VF Corporation. It is headquartered in Alameda, California, co-located with its corporate sibling, in 2007, JanSport was the worlds largest backpack manufacturer, combined, the two manufactured nearly half of all small backpacks sold in the United States. The North Faces quarter-circle logo, produced by California designer David Alcorn in 1971, evokes Half Dome, a massive granitic monolith in Yosemite National Park. The North Face maintains strong links with the community through sponsoring athletes. North Face attire has grown in popularity, the rise in the popularity of the North Face attire has resulted in wearers of the line becoming the targets of robbery. In early 2005, a group of teenagers from Washington D. C. were arrested on charges including the robbery of, specifically. In the legal action, The North Face alleged trademark infringement, official website VF Corporation homepage Biography of Hap Klopp, founder of The North Face The North Face Calls On Consumers and Businesses to Act Now to Positively Affect Climate Change Policy
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Patagonia (clothing)
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Patagonia, Inc. is an American clothing company founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973 that sells and showcases mainly sustainable outdoor clothing based in Ventura, California. The logo is the skyline of Cerro Fitz Roy looking west in Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia and accredited rock climber, began selling hand forged mountain climbing gear in 1957 through his company Chouinard Equipment. He worked alone selling his gear until 1965 when he partnered with Tom Frost in order to improve his products and address the growing supply, in 1970, Chouinard obtained rugby shirts from Scotland that he wore while climbing because the collar kept the climbing sling from hurting his neck. Collared shirts were designed and implemented into his merchandise line. The resultant increases in their product liability insurance were cited by Chouinard as the reason they stopped making climbing gear, the liquidated assets of the climbing gear side were purchased for $900,000 by Chouinards longtime partner, Peter Metcalf, and reorganized as Black Diamond Equipment. Yvon Chouinard retained the profitable soft goods division of the company which had already been rebranded as Patagonia, Patagonia has expanded its product line to include apparel targeted towards other sports, such as skiing, surfing, and general comfort-wear. In addition to clothing, they offer a selection of products ranging from backpacks to sleeping bags, starting in April 2017 Patagonia merchandise can be returned for new merchandise credits. The used merchandise gets cleaned and repaired and sold on their Worn Wear website, Patagonia commits 1% of their total sales or 10% of their profit, whichever is more, to environmental groups. Yvon Chouinard was a member of One Percent for the Planet. The company also supports a number of other initiatives, in 2012, UK animal activist group Four Paws said that Patagonia used live-plucked down feathers and downs of force-fed geese. In a statement on their website, Patagonia denied use of live-plucking, as of fall 2014, Patagonia said it was using 100% traceable down to ensure that birds were not force-fed or live-plucked and that down is not blended with down from unknown sources. In February 2005 Patagonias sourcing of wool from Australia was criticized by PETA over the practice of mulesing, Patagonia has since moved its sourcing of wool from Australia to South America and the cooperative Ovis 21. However, in August 2015 PETA released new video showing how sheep were treated cruelly in Ovis 21 farms. This lead Patagonia to stop sourcing wool from Ovis 21, in June 2016, Patagonia released a set of new wool principles that guide the treatment of animals as well as land-use practices, and sustainability. Official website How I Built This, Patagonia
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Petzl
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Petzl is a manufacturer of climbing gear, caving gear, work-at-height equipment, and headlamps based in Crolles, France. The company was created by the cave explorer Fernand Petzl in the mid-1970s and their three specialties are, Vertical sports, equipment for mountaineering, climbing, caving, etc. Work at height and rescue, solutions for progression and safety in difficult-access worksites, headlamps/head torches that provide hands free lighting. Fernand Petzl, born in 1912, began his career in the late 1920s. In 1936, Petzl was introduced to, then small-time caver, the two began work on improving the technology behind their sport. In 1943, Chevalier designed and tested the first nylon rope to replace caving ladders and this technology provided the foundation for nearly all vertical safety methods to come. Chevalier’s innovation led to the first 1,000 meter cave descent when Petzl explored the Gouffre Berger in France in 1950. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Petzl began experimenting further with vertical safety technology, five years later, in 1973, Petzl developed his first mountaineering headlamp. In 1975, the Petzl corporation was born as Fernand Petzl established the first company headquarters in Crolles, “This the beginning of Petzl manufacturing. ”. The initial workshop was approximately 7,200 square feet, two years after establishing a base, Petzl produced its first vertical safety harness in 1977. In the early 1980s the company expanding its products from caving to vertical sports such as rock climbing and mountaineering. The company’s first brand name head lamp, the ZOOM, was produced in 1981, later, in 1986, Petzl developed its first R&D department and testing tower. In 1990, Petzl’s first products for work at height were produced, Petzl’s first self braking device, the Grigri, was produced a year later in the United States. The Grigri is still produced and sold today, also developed in the 1990s was a modification of Fernand Petzls initial rope ascender design. The TIBLOC, which is sold today, was developed in 1998. In 1998, Petzl moved its North American distribution center from La Fayette, Georgia, United States, to Clearfield, Utah, the Clearfield center became the first corporate owned distribution center outside of its own country. At the time Petzl depended upon 28 private firms for distribution outside of North America, pigeon Mountain Industries was the former distributor of Petzl products in North America before the development of the Clearfield location. Petzl acquired the ice axe and crampon developer Charlet Moser in 2000, the first LED headlamps were produced in 2000 under the brand name TIKKA
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Wild Country (company)
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Wild Country is a major manufacturer of rock climbing equipment, and is most noted for introducing the Friend, a spring-loaded camming device. The company is based in Tideswell in the English Peak District, friends, though expensive, became immediately popular with climbers, selling over 5 thousand units in the first year, and establishing Wild Country as a major climbing gear manufacturer. Soon the company started expanding its range which now includes climbing harnesses, nuts, carabiners, for a while they also produced tents, backpacks, and technical clothing. In 1986 Wild Country acquired Clog, a Welsh climbing equipment manufacturer, the company also distributes various other international climbing brands in the UK. In 1979 Vallance, introduced the Wild Country Rocks, passive protection which used three contact points compared to the two of other designs. The range of nuts has now been superseded by anodised rocks. Both these ranges are produced in China, though their smaller range is still produced in the UK. In February 2012 Wild Country was bought by Italian climbing equipment manufacturer Salewa
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