Nov
20
2009
In this real world and in real time, it is just not possible to sidetrack rock climbing, every time you have the urge. Rock climbing is not only fun, but also a good way to keep fit. But, the time taken in packing all your stuff and reaching your favorite mountain could take sometime. The preparation time could far exceed the actual time you spend climbing. The simple answer now to satisfy your climbing urges is to get a portable rock climbing wall.
There are various types of portable rock climbing walls available in today’s market. You can search for them in various magazines or even on the Internet. You can get outdoor walls, which can be fixed in your backyard or you could get indoor walls, which come in different heights starting from 12 feet upwards. If you are permanently fixing the outdoor wall, then you might require a concrete base to attach it. But in a fully portable walls, even that may not be required. The portable walls can be installed in minutes and if you have some experience in climbing, then you can start climbing immediately.
You can also get these portable walls on rent. If you do not want permanent portable walls, you could still hire them on weekends or during a child’s party or any other fun function. The advantage in renting one is that many a times, along with the rentals, they also provide a staff who teaches you or your guests, the basics of rock climbing. The advantage of any rock climbing at home is that you do not have to worry about the weather such as blizzards or lightning storms, when you are up on the wall. You also save the time and fuel spent on traveling.
The portable rock climbing wall can also keep you fit, if you use it on a regular basis. You and your family can set different levels of difficulty, which can slowly be increased as you gain confidence and experience. You will definitely become more popular in your neighborhood, once you get one in your backyard. Your neighbors and their children can also be invited over to enjoy the fun of climbing. Another advantage is that, in case of any injury while climbing, medical help can be given immediately, unlike on a real mountain climbing where you could be stuck for days waiting for help and that could even become life threatening. If you are an expert in rock climbing, you could even make this hobby into a part-time or full-time career by teaching the neighborhood children and families for a fee. You could even rent out your portable wall to your neighbors for their parties or when they require.
Now, with the advent of newer safety equipments, like the ‘auto-belay’ you will not even require another person to hold the safety rope in case you fall. This ‘auto-belay’ will take care of the slack, in case you lose your grip on the wall. This means that you do not have to wait for anyone and can pursue rock climbing on your own.
So, the portable rock climbing wall offers many advantages such as an increased level of fun and fitness, increased safety, increased popularity and you also get to spend more time with your friends and family. So, get one today and just start climbing and have fun.
Nov
18
2009
Climbing is perhaps one of the best recreational activities that you can do for leisure and at the same time have the thrill that you always longed for. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise, when someone says that wall climbing has been recognized as an international and extreme sport. Climbing is an activity in which the climber makes use of his hands and feet, in order to climb a man-made or a natural formation. In case of climbing, it is not always possible to climb the natural rocky structures. Hence, to solve this problem, experts have come up with the concept of climbing walls.
A climbing wall is nothing but a man-made simulated wall along with clenches or grips that help the climber to scale the structure. These grips can make the climb either difficult or relatively simple according to the climber’s choice. These walls can either be made of solid blocks or it just may be a wooden creation. However, most of the structures today are solid, thick layers of board with either grips or holes drilled in it for support. Climbing walls are gaining so much popularity that many of those walls are constructed using metals such as aluminum, steel, etc.
Types of climbing walls: The most common climbing wall that you are bound to come across will be the one that is made of plywood. Given below are some of the climbing wall systems that you might come across:
Stone coated panels: Climbing walls are usually referred to as wall surfaces. In case of the stone coated ones, it would be the perfect choice for the budget conscious. That’s simply because, this wall surface probably is least expensive one out there. This wall is a mixture of slight resin and sand, which comes a long way to give some friction during climbing. This wall is perfect for the climber, if he wants to cover a large area, especially in case of preparing for a competition.
Stone coated Freeform: This wall type is slightly expensive than the stone coated panels. This wall surface has comparatively more friction than the stone coated one. This wall surface too, though a bit costlier than the earlier one is affordable considering the aspect that it is very similar to the Digital Freeform wall surface, which is considered to be the best wall surfaces out there.
Featured panels: This type of wall climbing surface is no different from the natural rock formation. They have been accurately designed with cracks, pockets for acting as supports, etc. This wall has been made keeping the space constraint in mind. Therefore, these wall-climbing surfaces are perfect for gyms and other indoor sports centers. One of the best things about this wall type is that it gives the climber different routes from which to choose and can make his climbing experience seem a lot of fun.
Digital Freeform Climbing walls: This wall type is perhaps the state of the art, since they have been hand crafted to give the climber the real feel of scaling a natural rock formation. This wall type, unlike the featured panels, that offers a two dimensional curve, offers a three-dimensional curve system. One of the best things about this wall type is that it is up to the climber, what shape he wants. All he has to do is use his imagination. Natural rock formation traits like crack lines, bulging laps, etc. can be created without any hassles.
There is a wide variety of wall systems that you can choose from, depending upon your need and of course your budget. However, wall climbing is not just something that only adults can indulge in, because there are many climbing walls available for children too. They can indulge themselves in the traversing walls, under some adult supervision of course. Therefore, wall climbing can be fun, but at the same time proper precautions should be taken, such as safety harnesses and other equipments.
Nov
15
2009
Wall climbing is a sport, which needs a lot of strength and determination. But the design structure of the wall plays an important part too. That’s simply because, if the design structure is not the way the climber wants it to be, there is no way that he can even think of scaling the wall structure. In case, you are considering designing the climbing walls, you should be assured the wall climbing industry offer you variety of materials and like equipments. Therefore, as a buyer, it is important for you to know the importance and the drawbacks of the various materials and equipments available, ensuring that you don’t compromise over its quality, so that you get the best wall climbing design.
The first thing that you can do is draw the design of your current climbing wall, even a simple outline would do for this matter. It is always good to draw a sketch first, since that helps you to determine the different facets of the climbing wall. If you’re good with numbers, then the measurement aspect of the climbing wall should come naturally to you. However, you may find it a bit tough to get the angles right, in the beginning. Therefore, for this purpose, it is advisable that you take all the dimensions according to the scale.
Some of the important things that you must consider with respect to designing a climbing wall are as follows:
. Keep the expenses within your budget. This simply means that you have to choose the materials and the design that you can afford. This is particularly important in case of climbing schools and other institutions alike. Therefore, when opting for any climbing design, you have to remember the design that you have selected must be at par with the latest wall climbing designs in the world, so that the wall surface wouldn’t have to be changed too often.
. Another important consideration that you possibly cannot avoid is the fact for whom the climbing wall will be designed, i.e., whether it is for professional climbers or for the amateurs. The design also depends upon factors such as frequency of the climbers’ visits, their skills, etc. This simply means that you have to make certain accommodations for the climbers according to their needs and at the same time introduce some challenging courses to sharpen their climbing skills.
. Whatever wall surface type you choose, you have to remember that it should have a long life. With respect to the longevity of the climbing walls, there are many options that you can consider. One of the most important aspects that you have to remember is that the wall you have selected must be flexible to the evolving nature of this wall climbing sport.
Therefore, when it comes to the installation aspect of the wall-climbing surface, you have to take all the above-mentioned factors into consideration.
Apart from these basic factors, other aspects that you have to look out for would include taking the help of an expert licensed engineer for the installation purpose and the assistance of a wall climbing designing professional. The wall climbing design can really act as the deciding factor in determining whether the wall climbing experience will be exciting or will it just be too dull for the climbers.
Nov
14
2009
A majority of people who indulge in sports aspire to sustain their body strength, no matter what. You would also come across a few individuals who would rather spend their free time working out at gyms, jogging in the closest park, or occupied in the strenuous world of ball games. An individual, who would rather not emphasize a lot on weightlifting and the likes, could go in for a much better option-rock climbing.
Why select the option of rock climbing? Well, it is quite simple, climbing is ranked as one of the most daring and gripping sports in this present day and age. Apart from enhancing one’s body muscles, climbing builds a sense of discipline. There definitely are quite a few barriers, which require to be overcome by a rock climber. Through these, the rock climber’s mental control is irked because his mind is tickled with the intent of applying new tactics to conquer the barriers. On the whole, climbing brings on the power of both, courage and wit.
While a person sets out to go rock climbing, he is blessed with the opportunity of viewing the world from the top. He is also very lucky to soak in the first rays of the morning sun. Furthermore, he enjoys a sense of triumph and contentment. The person should not be frightened of climbing as it is a safe sport as long as the climber is wearing and carrying the appropriate tools and gear. Moreover, he must also gather the experience required to help him go further.
Rock Climbing Practice for a Novice
For all the novices, it would clearly be dangerous to undertake the difficult, steep treks. It would be a much better idea and safer too if they could practice rock climbing on the indoor walls. The climbing walls are man-made objects that consist of crannies and hooks that provide the individual with an actual rock setting. It is during the practice sessions on the climbing walls that the trainers are able to instruct the climber on the appropriate utilization of the legs and arms, the rappel as well as the ropes.
The Actual Handling of Rock Climbing
Rock climbing walls are equipped with the essential parts that stick out to allow the climber to gain a foot-hold. On the other hand, the individual has to apply tactics and assessment to climb the wall or the rock. A single wrong judgment could result in an accident. Being a climber, an individual is supposed to have a vigilant mind. All the way through the lessons, a person is trained to identify his strong and weak points.
A majority of the rock-climbing novices rely on their equipment. The expert rock climbers on the other hand observe the surface to identify the number of free strokes they can apply. Trips for rock climbing could turn out to be costly, particularly if the weather plays havoc. In this case, they would have to acquire an alternative path for the activity.