So, as usual we are behind on writing about rock climbing. Maybe it should be our New Year’s resolution to not only climb more, but write more about it.
For starters, here is a short video of one of the routes at our indoor climbing gym. I think this was the first time I attempted the route (I forget the name), so I hope you will take that into consideration when you notice the sloppiness of my moves! At least I managed to finish it on the first try! This route was one of our favorites, since it includes some horizontal movement that makes you feel like a real climber! Tom Cruise, Mission Impossible, look out!
I say it “was” one of our favorites, because it no longer exists – the gym is now under new management and there are all new routes to try! The downside to that is that none of these auto-belay devices are set up anymore, and with Eyegirl and I being only two people, we now will have a hard time holding the camera for more videos! Of course the upside is that we have lots of new projects to work on!
I believe this route was rated 5.7 or 5.8, although ratings vary from gym to gym. For more information on getting started rock climbing, we previously linked to this page from REI, which discusses the rating system (copied below) and other helpful info. (Also mentioned in our post “First Climb“)
| Climbing Route Classifications | |
| Class 1 | Walking an established flat, easy trail. |
| Class 2 | Hiking a steep incline, scrambling, maybe using your hands. |
| Class 3 | Climbing steep a hillside, moderate exposure, a rope may be carried but not used, and hands are used in climbing. A short fall could be possible. |
| Class 4 | It is steeper yet, exposed and most people use a rope due to the potential of long falls. |
| Class 5 | Climbing is technical and belayed roping with protection is required. It is not for a novice. Any fall from a Class 5 could be fatal. |
| Class 5 sub-categories | ||
| 5.1-5.4 | Easy | Climbing a steep section that has large hand and foot holds. |
| 5.5-5.8 | Intermediate | Small foot and handholds. Strength and rock climbing skills required. Low to vertical terrain. |
| 5.9-5.10 | Hard | Not for beginners. Technical, vertical and may have overhangs. Rock shoes required. |
| 5.11-5.12 | Hard to Difficult | Not for beginners. Technical, vertical and may have overhangs. Rock shoes required. |
| 5.13-5.15 | Very Difficult | Not for beginners. Technical, vertical and may have overhangs. Rock shoes required. |
No need to turn your sound on unless you are interested in hearing “I Love Rock and Roll,” which happened to be on the radio at the gym. Not quite as motivating for climbing as when “Back in Black” comes on!
