Instructional Videos
KNOT TYING
Figure 8
To tie the first part of a figure 8, you’ll need about five feet of rope. First, make a bight in the rope. A bight is made by pinching a loop, Next you’ll twist the bight 360 degrees, clock wise. Then, reach through the bight and grab the free end of the rope, pulling it all the way through the bight.
Figure 8 (follow through)
To attach the figure 8 to your harness, feed the free end through the tie in points of the harness. Be careful. Your knot should be about a fists width from your harness. Next, follow the 8 pattern back through the knot, just like a train follows tracks. When you’re finished you can “dress” the knot by straightening any twists that occurred along the way.
Double fisherman’s
Although the figure 8 is a great knot, everything in climbing has backups, so you should also tie a double fisherman’s knot above the 8. Wrap the rope twice around, coming closer to yourself with each wrap. After the second full wrap, slide the end up through the two loops. Pull this knot snugly; double-check all your knots. You’re almost ready to climb.
Climbing Techniques
Once you’ve learned how to tie your knots and handle the rope, you can begin your climb. There are three forms of climbing that we do at our gym and will train you in as well. They are Lead Climbing, Bouldering and Top Roping.
Lead Climbing
Lead climbing is an advanced technique that does not include an anchor attached to the floor or a lift system from above. In this form of climbing you lead the pack as you climb up to the next clip above you without the assistance of the rope leading you higher. A different method is used in belaying as well, and is indeed much more difficult than Top Roping.
Bouldering
In bouldering the climber has no rope, no belayer and no harness to hold them up. Our 12 foot angled bouldering wall is great though for climbers to get better experience before the run up one of our larger walls. Bouldering presents it’s own puzzles, though, as the walls are built at various angles and difficulties.
Top Roping
Top roping is where most of our climbers begin their training. It is here that you will learn how to belay, to manage the equipment and harnesses, and how to eventually begin the climb. This is the safest and easiest course to learn, but possibly the most important as it paves the way for future training in lead climbing and other methods.