Mountain Climbing Equipment Checklist

Mountain climbing requires participants to climb up or across either rock or mountains found in nature or walls constructed specifically for this purpose. Climbers want to get to the top of the mountain or wall, or reach a predetermined point along the way. It taxes people both physically and mentally and provides a serious test to strength, agility and endurance as it is one of the most dangerous activities for outdoor enthusiasts. It can also be an exciting and fulfilling pursuit. Because of its very nature, there are many pieces of equipment that are necessary to protect the health and safety of climbers and allow for maximum enjoyment.

  1. Climbing Shoes

    • Made from a combination of leather and nylon, climbing shoes are made to provide comfort and grip for the climber. The shoes are usually lined to keep the leather from stretching. Between the insole and the outer sole, there is an insert made of plastic, Fiberglas or nylon to provide support. The sole is made of a sticky rubber to assist the climber in gripping the rocks as he climbs.

    Climbing Harness

    • A climbing harness is the contact point between the climber and rope and the belayer and rope. The harness is designed to take the strain if a climber falls and reduce the chances of serious injury by distributing the stress throughout the body. It endures a tremendous amount of stress when a climber falls.

    Helmet

    • Climbing helmets are designed to be strong in terms of protection while staying slim and lightweight for comfort. The helmet is considered almost mandatory on climbs. Climbing helmets are made of high-tech plastics and polymers with a foam core, similar to a bicycle helmet. Climbing helmets have two purposes--to protect the climber who falls and also to protect against falling objects that might hit a climber in the head.

    Carabiners

    • The carabiner is the link between rock climbers and their ropes, harness and other protective hardware. It is an aluminum alloy clasp that has a spring-loaded gate that opens inward and automatically snaps closed when released. These hooks are designed to handle a significant strength-to-weight ratio.

    Ropes

    • Climbing ropes are designed to stretch on impact and to help absorb the tension generated when a climber falls. There are static ropes that are used for rescue and towing purposes when a fall is not an issue. A process called kernmantel construction is used in the construction of today's climbing ropes. A nylon sheath called the mantel is tightly braided around the core, or kern, of the rope. The sheath protects the rope from the impact of the climb. The standard rope is 60 meters long.