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.
How to Learn More
The key to learning how to climb safely is to start with expert instruction. I highly recommend that you learn basic techniques and the proper use of climbing gear under the watchful eye of an experienced climbing instructor. A good way to supplement this instruction is to read instructional books and watch instructional videos for technique and safety pointers. Online merchants carry a number of excellent titles that can help you learn the basics.
Climbing Safely
Climbing provides a great opportunity to enjoy freedom and self-determination in a natural environment. An essential part of this freedom is accepting the risks and dangers inherent to the sport.
Exercising good judgment and common sense will reduce these risks, as will choosing and using climbing equipment correctly. But danger can never be fully eliminated from climbing. By purchasing and using climbing gear and by participating in climbing activities, you personally accept full responsibility for the inherent dangers involved with these activities, including injury or possibly even death.
