UK Climbs

Ice climbing World Cup 2012

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:54:02 +0000

Until ice climbing is accepted as an Olympic sport (hopefully in 2014), one of the greatest events in the world of ice climbing is the World Cup. It is organised by the UIAA (the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation), and is obviously subject to the strict rules of safety and organisation.
The World Cup spreads over five special events, in various countries. In 2012, it starts in Korea and will spread across Asia, Easter Europe and the Alps.
There are two separate disciplines: Lead and Speed. While speed obviously crowns the climber who has managed to make it to the top in the least time, Lead competitions reward the ability of a climber to complete the route within a certain amount of time. In both types of competition, technique and good planning are essential, because working out the best route will get you to the top faster, but a good technique will also ensure that you get there fast and safely and without any setbacks.
Ice climbing is becoming more and more popular, and the World Cup events don’t fail to attract professionals and amateurs alike, as well as anyone who just wants to enjoy the show. What a fantastic way of celebrating the New Year: the first competitions are starting on the 14th and 15th of January !

Tori Allen, a great inspiration to kids

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:48:36 +0000

Tori is one of the greatest climbers of her time, and it all started with climbing trees.
A young girl living in Africa, where her parents were working in a mission, Tori developed a liking for climbing trees and playing with monkeys. She even adopted one, who she called Georgie, and they used to climb trees together.
Aged 10, she moved back to Indiana where she transferred her love of climbing trees to walls. She won her first competition, which she entered only a month after starting wall climbing.
Since then, it’s been an uphill journey for Tori. She is one of the best climbers of her time, and she’s won a string of gold medals and she’s admired for her fantastic technique, which, funnily enough, is somehow similar to that of a monkey ! She can hang from a rock using only two fingers !
So that she always remembers her friend Georgie, the time she had with the monkeys back in Africa, and how her love of climbing started, Tori collects monkeys and also gives mokey toys away at events. A small monkey figurine always accompanies her on her climbs, Georgie, obviously.
Her story is a fantastic inspiration for kids, and if you find your child climbing trees in your garden, don’t stop him/her, who knows, he/she might be one of the great climbers of tomorrow !

Rock climbing courses

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:45:57 +0000

Courses are available for climbers of all levels. Often in the format of “holidays” lasting one to several days, you usually find yourself in groups and there are qualified staff available to ensure that you remain safe during the whole time, but also to guide you on your way to learning.
There are various types of course, here is a quick glance at each one of them.
First you have the climbing holidays. This category can be divided into subcategories depending on the actual type of holiday, whether it’s a family holiday, a women-only holiday, long weekends and challenges (for example the Big 5 in Costa Blanca). For a safe yet wonderful experience and lots of sensations.
Then you have the progressive courses. It’s a series of courses which are designed to progressively improve your climbing skills and your level. Course choices start from an introduction to climbing and end with Sea Cliff Climbing and even Self-Rescue Courses which will teach you how to react when you find yourself in tough situations. Each course has several levels to ensure that your progress is continuous and that nothing is forgotten. Once done, you’ll really be able to climb like a pro !
Finally there are tailor-made courses, which is a one-to-one course, or you can have a small group too, costs obviously depending on the amount of people to train. These are more flexible time-wise, and more adapted to your needs, and would be of great value if you wanted to assess your skills before enrolling in the courses.

Make the most of your climbing holiday

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:42:10 +0000

Climbers are known for their love of great sensations, and sometimes it’s more interesting for them to find holidays that gather a lot of activities. Still in the same frame of mind, they can enjoy excitement and adrenaline, while appreciating the beauty of nature and the world.
Quite often, other activities will include hiking, canyoning, abseiling, camping, white water rafting, pot holing, base jumping … to name but a few. This kind of holiday is available all over the world, and you can book one day as well as a whole week depending on your availability.
For example, you can find on the internet a great website that offers you activities in the Jura wilderness, in France. There is a tutor to supervise you and lead you in the exploration of the area, so that you can enjoy the activities safely. This kind of holiday is perfect for the pros, but also for the enthusiastic amateur. Kids are welcome, and there is no better way to give them a very good time while learning to love nature.
For the reasonable price of £1500 you can book a family holiday in Costa Rica and discover the volcanoes, walks in the forest and relaxing on the beaches, and for some fun and excitement, you can go white water rafting or just glide along the river.
There are holidays for everyone, and for all levels of activity. All you have to do is look online or go to your travel agent!

The different types of harness

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:39:42 +0000

There are two main types of harness: the lightweight harness and the adjustable ones. Here are a few points about each, and some tips and advice on how to choose the right one for you.
Lightweight harnesses are the best for competitions, and for performance, because they are (obviously) light (as low as 250 grams sometimes). Weight would only slow you down. They are sometimes less comfortable, but this can easily be avoided by trying them and finding which one is best for you. The light weight can sometimes be a positive point when you have to bring other pieces of equipment with you, and some harnesses even come including some of them, such as extra hooks for carrying equipment.
An adjustable harness is preferred by climbers who tend to climb various kinds of surfaces. It allows you to wear different clothes (thicker or thinner ones) without having to bring 12 different size harnesses with you. It is heavier than the lightweight version, but often comes with more accessories. The buckles can sometimes be a bit painful/awkward, so always bear this in mind when choosing your harness.
As always, try before you buy. You must always make sure that the harness fits, especially around the waist (could crack a rib if fitting is too loose and you have a fall), and you must ensure that the harness will not prevent you from moving freely.

Climbing shoes… How do you know which is best for you?

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:28:03 +0000

There are various kinds of shoes for climbers, all have their good points and their problems. Before all the gadgety stuff, you need to make sure that the shoes fit you like a glove… literally. Getting blisters when you are half way up the wall and having to stop the climb would be a bit annoying, wouldn’t it?

Climbing shoes are usually very thin and supple, which allows your feet to “feel” the rocks as well as making sure that they are secure even on the flattest rocks.

Some of them feature a certain kind of asymmetry. The best ones, which are usually the most expensive, usually aim for performance. The asymmetry allows you to make the best of the surface. Some of the shoes are better for indoor climbing, others for rock climbing, but some are polyvalent. So do bear this in mind when choosing your shoes.

There are shoes conceived for all kinds of surfaces. The emphasis is usually on comfort, and they are shoes that can be worn for a long time. They also offer a lot of support, particularly on the toes. Unfortunately these are not the best shoes if you are looking for performance, as the sensations are greatly reduced.

You will also find a great range of shoes available for children. They are great when your child really gets into climbing. They are easy to put on or take off thanks to Velcro straps, saving time both for parents and for tutors. Always make sure to allow for the best fitting shoes, so as not to stop the natural growth of the foot, and to make sure that your child gets a chance to use them because kid’s feet tend to grow rather quickly.

A good knot is important

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:05:45 +0000

With the progress in technologies and equipment for climbing, accidents are happening less often. This doesn’t mean however that one can drop their guard, and one has to remember how a good knot is important. Because it is the one thing that can decide whether you have no fall, a small fall or you drop 30 meters below.

There are various knots, some bulkier than others, some easier to do up, some harder to undo, some give you maximum security when others need a double knot to secure them (and sometimes can come undone on their own if the rope is new). There are sometimes various steps to remember and practice in order to get the perfect knot, but remember that your life does depend on it to a certain extent, and this is not something to rush into.

Here are a few points to remember when doing up your knot and securing your equipment. First, always do your knot up in one go, so if you get interrupted undo it and start again. Always check your knot before you start the climb, and after each manipulation, especially when you’re climbing with a team. Always tie the rope directly to the points of the harness that are specifically for this purpose. Never connect the harness and the rope with a caribiner hook. Finally, always ensure that your knot is tight, as this will be invaluable in case of fall.

Hopefully you now know how important the knot is. If you have any questions, always ask a professional. Do not venture upwards without being 100% sure that you are secure.

Simon Carter – Photographer

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:52:13 +0000

Simon Carter’s is one of the greatest photographers in the climbing world. His career spans over 20 years, and his work has been features in many a magazine and website.

His photography has encouraged a lot of people to try rock climbing, or simply to discover it as a discipline. Through him we also discover climbers, who they are, what they like, how they conquer the structures. His blog is full of information and beautiful pictures.

Simon has just released a fabulous 2012 calendar with spectacular photos, as well as a book, Rock Odissey, a climbing bible featuring sixteen of the most fabulous rock-climbing destinations, and a very eagerly awaited sequel to the much acclaimed World Climbing: Images from the Edge.

Simon Carter’s photos capture the true beauty of nature, while taking in the depth and the extremeness of the situation in which the climber finds himself. The large format of the book and the double-page features make it a total delight to the eyes.

All the chapter introductions are written by his wife, leading climber Monique Forestier, in a style that will introduce you to the uniqueness of each place with such ease that you will find yourself totally immersed in the book. A true little gem of a book.

Climbing is a way of discovering the World

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:49:16 +0000

If there is one thing that you can find almost anywhere in the world, it’s mountains, cliffs, and other landscapes that invite you to climb. So if you’re a climber, what better incentive for discovering the world?

Whether it’s climbing up the heights of the Alps, in France, or the icy structures of Jean-Larose Falls in Canada, or the Phra Nang Peninsula in Thailand, you will be able to enjoy the magnificent beauty of our world. Being so up close with nature and earth is sometimes what climbers look for, other than the obvious challenge of conquering a gigantic structure.

As climbers don’t spend all of their time going up and down heights, they can also enjoy getting immersed in a culture that can be totally different to theirs. This will mean visiting places of importance in the country’s history or places that are associated with that country and are part of its identity. This may also mean trying different foods, and enjoying a different way of life.

Climbing really is a way of discovering the world. Each country and each place is a new challenge. It opens doors to the whole planet, instead of limiting you to a few places for shopping or a few beaches. It allows you to enjoy a variety of landscapes, from the mountains to the sea.

Ice Climbing Competitions

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:39:46 +0000

Ice climbing is a relatively recent activity, but is already considered by the UIAA, the International Mountaineering and Rock Climbing Federation, as a competitive sport. There are competitions and championships all year round, held in various countries.

Competition organisers must adhere to a very strict set of rules and regulations. Some are directed at the athletes as well, as they must also take their responsibility in ensuring that they have a safe climb. Accidents do happen, and can be life-threatening, which is why it is very important that everyone does their best to ensure everyone stays safe.

Competitions cover different aspects, from the speed of the climb, when you have to reach the top is as little time as possible, to the number of hits, and there are even team climbing competitions.

At the moment, competitions are quite localised, but as the sport gets known and more climbers join, there are hopes of running continent-wide as well as worldwide events. While the sport itself is reserved to the elite of climbers, there is also the element of spectacle that will attract masses due to the wonderful landscapes and the magic feel of shimmery ice and ice formations. The UIAA is very keen for ice climbing to be accepted as an Olympic sport, and for tools, techniques and practices to develop even further.