Rock Climbing Basics In The North State

Rock climbing is a growing sport in the US and with its introduction at the 2020/2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo is now a major competitive sport. But many people also like to rock climb for their own enjoyment without competing.

Rock climbing has many forms to fit preferences and comfort levels, and no other sport is so versatile. In Northern California, we have temperate weather for great outdoor climbing, as well as great temperature-controlled facilities for year round climbing.

Bouldering and roped climbing

Within the rock climbing world, climbers can choose bouldering, which is done close to the ground, doesn’t involve ropes and relies on strategy and technique. There are also two forms of roped climbing, relying on endurance and using ropes to scale tall walls and crags. All three forms can be done both indoors in special climbing gym setups and outdoors in the natural world.

Rock climbing is an all-season sport, alone or with partners

Is rock climbing seasonal? You may think that climbing can only be done in nice weather. Nope! In hot weather, climbers take to indoor climbing in temperature-regulated facilities. In cold weather, they either go to the climbing gym or take to outdoor ice climbing—a whole new world of climbing.

Friends can’t make it? At the gym, you can still climb. Most gyms have bouldering areas and most also have “auto belays,” machines that control the rope so that a partner is not necessary. And if social climbing is your style, there are plenty of chances to participate in climbing leagues, competitions and climbing events.

Even if you climb alone, it’s the people who make rock climbing such a special culture and community. Rock climbing fosters a mindset of respect for nature and for other people; no matter the stage or status, everyone can encourage each other.

Whether going as a group or hitting the walls solo, inside or outside, no matter the weather, we can keep building a positive community in the North State area through rock climbing.

Speaking the Language of Climbing

• Route: The path from start to end of a specific climb; made up of holds.
• Holds: Multi-shaped, colored and textured grips affixed to a climbing wall.
• Sequence: Envisioning potential combinations of moves and body positions.
• Grade: Difficulty level of the route or bouldering problem. VB (Beginner) – V16
• Beta: Information about how to climb a route.
• Crux: The most difficult part of a route
• Dyno: A dynamic climbing move that uses momentum to move from one hold to another.
• Bouldering: A kind of ropeless rock climbing featuring short routes and padding to cushion falls.
• Top Rope and Lead Climbing: Roped climbing for longer routes and taller walls in which the rope is either attached to the top of the route or carried up the route by the climber.
• Crag: A steep or rugged cliff or rock face.

Resources

Shasta Rock Club
http://www.shastarockclub.com
(530) 691-4505

Terrain Park Climbing Center
http://www.terrainparkclimbingcenter.com
(530) 809 – 0796

For North State gyms with climbing facilities, see the listings for Climbing Walls/Towers in the Parks, Recreation & Sports section.