Giant, multi-pitch wall climbs require strength, endurance, mental toughness and expert climbing technique. Big wall routes are usually long, grueling and risky. They can't be top-roped, so climbers must bring large amounts of climbing gear with them to anchor themselves to the rock as they climb. Many big wall routes involve eating, sleeping and living on sheer rock faces for days at a time.
If you're a beginning climber looking to give big wall climbing a try, contact your local climbing club and talk to an experienced instructor or guide. They'll help you gauge your current skill level and figure out what you'll need to work on to prepare for the challenge of giant wall routes.
3/10/2011
How to Choose the Right Rock Shoes
A rock shoe's performance depends on the materials it's made out of and the way it's put together. Keep the following factors in mind as you start to compare different shoes:
Shoe height/cut - Ankle-high rock shoes provide extra support for your ankles and foot muscles. They also help protect your ankles from scrapes and scratches. Low-cut shoes provide less ankle support, but allow for more freedom of movement for high-angle smearing and other advanced climbing techniques.
Shoe height/cut - Ankle-high rock shoes provide extra support for your ankles and foot muscles. They also help protect your ankles from scrapes and scratches. Low-cut shoes provide less ankle support, but allow for more freedom of movement for high-angle smearing and other advanced climbing techniques.
Snow Sports: How to Choose Gear for General Touring
If you're looking to ski mainly on trails, groomed tracks and/or moderate terrain, then general touring ski gear is for you. This equipment is designed primarily for the classic, forward kick-and-glide technique. It's a bit heavier than skate gear, but not as heavy (nor as supportive) as backcountry equipment.
Skis
Length
The longer a ski is, the more efficiently it will glide forward, but the harder it will be to turn and maneuver. For general touring, efficient forward glide is more important than maneuverability, so you need long skis. To get an estimate of the length you need, hold your arm overhead and measure from the ground to your wrist. If you occasionally want to explore beyond groomed cross-country ski areas and hard-packed trails (but still on easy to moderate terrain), look for slightly shorter skis. Going down 5cm or so will give you more control and maneuverability in variable snow conditions.
Skis
Length
The longer a ski is, the more efficiently it will glide forward, but the harder it will be to turn and maneuver. For general touring, efficient forward glide is more important than maneuverability, so you need long skis. To get an estimate of the length you need, hold your arm overhead and measure from the ground to your wrist. If you occasionally want to explore beyond groomed cross-country ski areas and hard-packed trails (but still on easy to moderate terrain), look for slightly shorter skis. Going down 5cm or so will give you more control and maneuverability in variable snow conditions.
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