Sport Climbing

New River Gorge

Sport climbing is a form of lead climbing that is completely protected by bolts. An average sport climb will have a bolt approximately every eight feet allowing the climber to clip their rope to the bolt using a quickdraw. A quickdraw is two biners attached with webbing. One biner is clipped to the bolt and the other is clipped to the Rope.

Sport climbing is generally a very safe form of lead climbing.

What gear do I need to Sport Climb?

Belay Device - 'Belaying' is the process of controlling the amount of rope available to the climber therefore restricting how far the climber could fall. A belay device is required to do this.
Bolts - How a bolt is created and how to determine if they are safe.
Harness - Climbing specific harness include gear loops, belay loops and leg loops.
Helmet - Required by both the climber and the belayer due to the risk of rock fall.
Rope - Always purchase climbing specific, dynamic climbing ropes designed for single rope use.
Shoes - Shoes designed specifically for rock climbing provide a large advantage due to high friction rubber.
Stick Clip (Optional) - Used to clip the first bolt safely.
Quickdraws - Allows you to connect your rope to a bolt and are required to lead sport climbs.

Back Clipping - An incorrect method of clipping.
Cleaning a Climb - How to remove the quickdraws (or lockers) from the top of the climb after you are done with a climb.
Clipping - The technique of attaching your rope to the bolt using a quickdraw.
Clipping Bolts Efficiently - How to conserve energy while clipping.
Clipping Technique - How to improve the accuracy and speed of clipping.
Top Rope - Setting up your rope at the top of the climb so you do not have to lead.

Climbing Grades - How to interpret climbing grades and why they are not as important as you think.