Climbing Styles

Traditional Rock Climbing
A Traditional Rock Climber is more often called Trad climber. A "Trad Climber" is given to any roped climber who ascends a piece of rock placing protection, like nuts and hexes, as he goes to ensure his safety. The protection , also called ‘Pro’ is placed in the rocks weaknesses such as a crack or a rock spur. The rope you carry is attached to you via a sit harness you are wear the other end of the rope is attached to your climbing partner. As you climb up your partner feeds out the rope as you need it through a belay device.

Sport Climbing
Sport Climbing is very similar to Traditional Rock Climbing except for the difference in the gear. You still have the same rope technique but the protection is already in place in the form of bolts. Instead of using "nuts" and "friends" you have "quick draws" which is a short sling with a carabiner on each end. Sport Climbing is mostly face climbing and tens to stay to shorter climbs not much longer than two pitches or rope lengths. In addition, with the danger element removed, emphasis can be placed on technique and doing hard moves.

Bouldering
If you boulder your feet may never get more that a few feet of the ground. You do not have a rope attached to you nor any other form of protection (except maybe a mat to fall on!!!) Bouldering is a very explosive Type of Climbing. When Bouldering you do what are called "Boulder Challenges". The Solution to these Boulder Challenges are a series of moves and you can do them over and over again until you get it with out hurting your self as you are just a few feet off the ground. Since you are just a few feet of the ground you can try insane moves that you would most likely would not try on a climb when you are 50-60 feet off the ground.

Solo Climbing
Soloing is climbing without ropes or other gear. Soloing is extremely dangerous. If a Solo Climber falls they most likely die.

Mountaineering
Mountaineering is the thrill to reach mountain tops. Mountaineering requires a combination of skills. For example to reach the peak of the Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain on the African continent, you will start in the jungle under hot and humid conditions. Then quickly it gets steeper and colder, making you to use you rock climb skills and ice skills in the fullest.

Ice Climbing
Using ice tools, as efficiently as possible, a climber will be able to climb vertical ice, like frozen waterfalls. Ice Axes, crampons etc. are the main tools the Ice Climber uses. In addition to the difference in equipment, the nature of the medium that is to be climbed differs greatly as well. While the quality of rock varies little over the year, ice, on the other hand, exhibits daily even hourly mutations.

Indoor Climbing
Indoor climbing allows you to train year round or during adverse conditions. Climbing is done on indoor climbing walls and the walls are even some times moved out side. Indoor climbing provides a great opportunity to learn to climb in a very controlled environment.

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