Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Making Package Holidays For The Rock Climbers!

By Frank Isaching

As a tourist, one thing that many people don't know about is all the protective gear you need for rock climbing. In fact, most often when they purchase package holidays trips, they are not aware of what they need! If you are lucky, you will be able to get a great holiday rental price on all the equipment you need to go rock climbing; otherwise it may be costly!!

One of the most important things that a mountain climber will need is all the protective gear. Cams are one of the most important pieces. They are spring loaded parts climbers place into cracks and holes for protection against falling. Once they are put into the rock, they then expand by the pressure and "grab" onto surface. Also, they are available in many shapes as well as materials. In fact, some are long and thin where others are short and thick. However, they are all used for the same thing; to provide a "hold" where you can attach a carabiner. A carabiner is a ring that allows the rope and harness to attach to it.

Another important piece is a nut. They are small, usually made of metal alloy, and are in the shape of a nut. Cables are usually threaded through the hole to attach other equipment; often D rings are added. D rings are also another type of carabiner; which are extremely strong and can also keep you from falling. Like other gear, nuts also require proper training. In the training you will learn how to put them in a crack, along with telling if it was the right crack to put it into; which takes experience. The average price is around $8-10.

A hex or hexentric is another piece that is used a lot; which is called "passive" equipment. That means that a hex does not have a lot of moving parts and don't change position when they get used. Just like the name, they have six sides and are barrel shaped; and are designed for being used in parallel cracks. The placement of the hexentric also requires skill to be used properly. Because they are needed in a climber's kit, the average price is between $10-30.

Runners are also an important piece for climbers. They are short to medium length loops or straps made of nylon, that are used to put around a tree branch, a group of rock, or other permanent fixtures.

One thing that is traditional in the climbing gear is the piton; because they are what the hero always has in the movies. Pitons are tools that are spike shaped that hammers into place for a place for the rope. However, it may be very hard to free the piton once it is used! Pitons are also available in many shapes and materials; some look like railroad spikes while others are a fat wedge. The average price for the piton is around $10.

If you are buying the equipment yourself, it never hurts to buy a couple extra; especially if it could save your life!! It's better to be safe than sorry!

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