Climbing Eqipment

CLIMBING EQUIPMENT

Listed below is some common climbing equipment required for outdoor lead climbing. Where possible, we have included photos and descriptions. Visit our other climbing pages to see how the gear actually assists the climber from the ground to the top of a climb.

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION PHOTO

HARNESS Absolutely necessary so that the climbing rope may be attached to the climber. Come in variety of sizes and styles to fit people of all sizes.

CLIMBING SHOES Not compulsory but makes life easier as the soles are manufactured from a specially designed friction-aiding rubber compound. Come in various sizes and styles.

CHALK BAG Not compulsory but handy if you suffer from sweaty hands. (as all climbers do.) Contains a powder composed of magnesium carbonate which is either loose or in a refillable "gonad"(a stocking-like sack which you can shake the chalk out of as you need it.)

ROPE Absolutely necessary unless you like hitting the ground when you fall. Ties into the climber's harness and the belayer's belay device. Comes in different lengths, widths and styles.

BELAY DEVICE A belay device is a one way locking system controlled by the belayer which allows the rope to move upwards with the climber but then locks off when the climber falls. Climber descent is also controlled by the belay device.

SCREW_GATE CARABINER Not compulsory but an extra precaution for attaching the rope to your harness. Also necessary for creating belay(anchor) stations when climbing outdoors. Available in alloy or steel. Various shapes and sizes available

BENT-GATE & STRAIGHT-GATE CARABINERS ("Biners") Necessary for attaching anchor points to rope via a sling.

SELF LOCKING CAMMING DEVICES Come in a multitude of sizes and shapes. For placement in parallel cracks in rock faces.

HEXES Chock-like devices used for jamming in cracks in rock faces. Also come in many sizes.

NUTS Nuts, like hexes, are chock like devices used for jamming into cracks, holes, etc in rock faces. They come in many shapes, widths, lengths and are the most versatile of all the anchor equipment.

QUICK DRAWS Quickdraws are made up of a sling, a straight gate carabiner and a bent gate carabiner. They are necessary for attaching the rope to the anchor that the climber has placed in the rock face.

EQUIPMENT	DESCRIPTION	PHOTO
HARNESS	Absolutely necessary so that the climbing rope may be attached to the climber. Come in variety of sizes and styles to fit people of all sizes.
CLIMBING SHOES	Not compulsory but makes life easier as the soles are manufactured from a specially designed friction-aiding rubber compound. Come in various sizes and styles.
CHALK BAG	Not compulsory but handy if you suffer from sweaty hands. (as all climbers do.) Contains a powder composed of magnesium carbonate which is either loose or in a refillable "gonad"(a stocking-like sack which you can shake the chalk out of as you need it.)
ROPE	Absolutely necessary unless you like hitting the ground when you fall. Ties into the climber's harness and the belayer's belay device. Comes in different lengths, widths and styles.
BELAY DEVICE	A belay device is a one way locking system controlled by the belayer which allows the rope to move upwards with the climber but then locks off when the climber falls. Climber descent is also controlled by the belay device.
SCREW_GATE CARABINER	Not compulsory but an extra precaution for attaching the rope to your harness. Also necessary for creating belay(anchor) stations when climbing outdoors. Available in alloy or steel. Various shapes and sizes available
BENT-GATE & STRAIGHT-GATE CARABINERS ("Biners")	Necessary for attaching anchor points to rope via a sling.
SELF LOCKING CAMMING DEVICES	Come in a multitude of sizes and shapes. For placement in parallel cracks in rock faces.
HEXES	Chock-like devices used for jamming in cracks in rock faces. Also come in many sizes.
NUTS	Nuts, like hexes, are chock like devices used for jamming into cracks, holes, etc in rock faces. They come in many shapes, widths, lengths and are the most versatile of all the anchor equipment.
QUICK DRAWS	Quickdraws are made up of a sling, a straight gate carabiner and a bent gate carabiner. They are necessary for attaching the rope to the anchor that the climber has placed in the rock face.