Sport climbing relies on pre bolted climbing routes while trad climbing requires the climber to carry and place their own protection as they climb the route. In the world of rock climbing, there are many different styles. You’re most likely already familiar with roped climbing and bouldering. But have you begun to venture into the …
Tying a one handed clove hitch is a good party trick for your next multi pitch anchor party. The clove hitch climbing technique is one of the simplest ways we can connect ourselves to our anchors. Without it, we would have to buy another piece of gear, like a personal anchor system, to secure ourselves …
Great Falls Park is home to some of the earliest rock climbing in the United States! The climbing here will put you directly above the Potomac River Gorge and Mather Gorge. The sound of the mighty river rapid is intense. But the noise slowly dissipates as you drift into your flow state. Climbers and white …
Since the 3rd grade, I have been wearing glasses. I’ve played sports, outdoor sports, and gone rock climbing all while wearing my glasses. Yes, you can wear glasses when rock climbing! But we need to take a few precautions first. Here’s everything I’ve learned from wearing my prescription glasses while bouldering and rock climbing. Keep …
One of my favorite outdoor climbing destinations near Washington, DC is Elizabeth Furnace. Elizabeth Furnace rock climbing, which isn’t too far from Front Royal, is an excellent day trip destination for climbers in the DC metro area and it also poses a wide variety of sport and trad climbs. There are endless opportunities for adventure …
Rock climbing is littered with jargon. A language and culture have been created and it’s all centered around using our hands and feet to make our way up a wall. When I first started climbing, I always felt a little silly using the jargon of the sport. But language evolves to help us humans communicate …
Top roping is a form of rock climbing where the climber is secured to a rope that is anchored above them at the top of the climb. This is different from lead climbing where the climber is protected by a rope that they trail behind them and is clipped into protection points as they ascend. …
Climbing nuts are one of the first pieces of trad protection climbers will purchase. Placing nuts are intuitive, they are inexpensive, and will last you a long time. But if you’re new to trad climbing, how do you make sure that you’re getting the best climbing nuts? With climbing experience, you build your own personal …
The Metolius Magnum crash pad is a large tri fold pad that has a landing zone of over 20 feet. Despite the large nature of the pad, it’s not too painful or cumbersome to hike around with. The pad comes with nice to have quality of life features like a carpet rug to brush your …
Are you gearing up for your rock climbing trip? Whether it’s your first or hundredth trip, we’ve been around the block and know all the gear you need to have an excellent time on your trip. I’ve been on climbing trips that have lasted a few hours (long story) and been gone for multiple weeks. …
