Rock Climbing
An Exciting Country Pastime
With feet planted firmly in several small spacings on a nearly
flat wall of rock, you look down below you and see a gaping river
staring back. One slip, one tiny, minuscule mistake, and you
plummet into the deep waters below. Just the thought of this
makes adrenaline fill your veins and pushes you to take another
step up, reach that hand higher, and keep moving until you get
to the top. This is not a survival test. This is rock climbing.
Coming into popularity around the mid twentieth century, rock
climbing has been a test-your-grit type of activity that few
are courageous enough to participate in. Danger is high when
perched on a small rock ledge, supported by a tiny piece of equipment,
hanging on for dear life at a thousand foot altitude. Dangerous
as it may be, rock climbing has an established fan base, and
many different styles. These include bouldering, free climbing,
and top roping, just to name a few. The most popular though,
is free climbing, which is climbing without the use of pre-set
belays. This means no equipment is used to mechanically aid the
climb, except for several ropes which prevent the climber from
plummeting to his death.
However, the most death defying type of rock climbing is free
soloing, a style that puts the ravenous intensity in the sport
that frightens many and attracts few. Absolutely no equipment
is used, and climbers only have their bare hands and shoes to
support themselves. This is the type of rock climbing that relies
on intense concentration and harrowing courage. In fact, the
small groups of dedicated enthusiasts of free soling are quite
popular and well known. The most famous, Alain Robert, or "spiderman",
is a French rock climber who free solo-ed over 70 building in
his lifetime, including national landmarks like the Eiffel Tower.
Rock climbing isn't limited to death defying stunts and day
long expeditions on steep cliffs. Indoor rock climbing is popular
among those who aren't into risking their lives everyday. Safety
ropes and harnesses are attached, and spotters watch from below
as you climb a small rock wall. You are getting a fraction of
the taste of what the sport is about, but it is exhilarating
nonetheless, and a great starting point for future climbers.
So why do people really go rock climbing, besides the adrenaline
soaked experience? It gives climbers the ultimate physical challenge,
one where they test their skills to the fullest extent. They
challenge their limit, and if they are successful, they raise
that limit to a new level. This is a continuous exercise of human
strength, making it constantly fun and fresh for the climber.
Probably the biggest reason, however, is the climax: when a climber
reaches the highest point, and actually sees what they have accomplished.
There is nothing more awe inspiring than sitting atop of a mountain
which you have just ascended, seeing the vistas, and at sunset
watching the giant yellow orb cast a final light on the enormous
plain below.
Rock climbing is a sport for extremists and enthusiasts looking
to push their bounds and experience freedom in the most natural
way possible, and one of the most pure experiences you can have
outdoors.
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