With the explosion in interest in adventure activities and keeping fit, rock climbing has become one of the most popular of the outdoor activities for people to take up. Alongside this growth in interest, there has been the development of indoor climbing walls, which allow climbing all year round. So as an active rock climber myself I will try to give an outline of each type of climbing, which I prefer and why.
Outdoor Rock Climbing
As the name suggests this involves rock climbing outdoors and Great Britain has such a wide diversity of climbing venues
ranging from the superb mountain routes of North Wales, the Lakes and Scotland, the sea cliffs of Cornwall to the gritstone edges of our own Peak District.
So what’s involved? Outdoor climbing usually involves a team of two climbers ascending a rockface using ropes and protection i.e cams and nuts which are jammed into cracks as they climb.
A leader goes up first using the protection to clip their rope into with their partner feeding the rope to them through a braking device. If the climber falls, the protection breaks their fall with the second climber using the braking device to hold them. When the leader reaches the top they anchor to the rockface and brings their teammate up.
Indoor Rock Climbing
Indoor climbing walls have gained popularity over the years. Some notable walls are ‘The Foundry’ in Sheffield and the huge and aptly named ‘Awesome Walls.’ Indoor climbing walls are popular because they are located in large towns or cities so easily accessible, open all year and they provide all equipment.
When climbing indoors you can either ‘top rope’ different climbs using ropes which are already in place. Or you can lead climbs using your own rope, clipping into small tapes with karabiners on the end. These Karibinas are called quickdraws and are attached to bolts which are already in place. These quickdraws stop you if you fall.
Once you reach the top, there is a lowering point for you to clip into and you are lowered down to the ground. The holds you use are bolted onto to panels in various shapes, sizes and colours.
So whats my preference?
Simple, I always try to climb outdoors whatever the weather as its really much adventurous and more challenging. Being outdoors takes you to interesting places, offers a level of peace and quiet that you cannot find in a busy indoor centre. There’s nothing quite like battling the elements with the wonderful views of the Peak District as your reward at the summit.
David Matthews is a qualified teacher having a BEd degree in Outdoor Education. Dave has been taking groups on outdoor activities in the Peak District for over 25 years.