Extreme Sports Cafe offers Rock Climbing courses in Portugal on The Algarve and in Asia in Thailand. Climbing courses range from 1-day Climbing Introductions, Full Beginner Climbing courses and Advanced Climbing courses.
What Is Rock Climbing?
Rock climbing is a physically and mentally demanding sport, one that often tests a climber's strength, endurance, agility, and balance along with his or her mental control. It can be a dangerous sport and knowledge of proper climbing techniques and usage of specialised climbing equipment is crucial for the safe completion of routes.
- Imagine this…You're standing at the edge of a sheer drop, the late morning heat is bouncing off the cliff face, the sun dazzles every time you cast your eyes around you, and the gentle breeze cools the back of your neck. All your senses are alert, but they’re drowned as your heart beats louder & louder…
- It’s hard to breathe…it’s not just from the climb up to the top of the cliff, nor is it the breath-taking view – it’s the excitement. Now it’s time to take deep, slow breaths and relax…
- Glancing down, first at your feet, then the 150ft below you take another breath. Your grip tightens on the rope – your pulse is thumping louder as you lean back…and take a the first step down…
- It’s not a leap of faith, but it is a small step…
Because of the wide range and variety of rock formations around the world rock climbing has been separated into several different styles and sub-disciplines. Over time, grading systems have also been created in order to more accurately compare the relative difficulties of climbs.
Thailand Rock Climbing Courses from Extreme Sports Cafe can be booked online
As routes get higher off the ground, the increased risk of life-threatening injuries necessitates additional safety measures. A variety of specialised climbing techniques and climbing equipment exists to
provide that safety, and climbers will usually work in pairs and utilise a system of ropes and anchors designed to catch falls. Ropes and anchors can be configured differently to suit many styles of climbing, and roped climbing is thus divided into further sub-types that vary based on how their belay systems are set up. Generally speaking, beginners will start with top roping and/or easy bouldering, and work their way up to lead climbing and beyond.
Top-roping
- In top-roping, an anchor is set up at the summit of a route prior to the start of a climb. Rope is run through the anchor; one end attaches to the climber and the other to the belayer, who keeps the rope taut during the climb and prevents long falls. This type of climbing is widely regarded as the safest type of climbing, with the lowest chance on injury. It is also the first type of climbing most people do when learning to climb, as it allows the climber to climb freely and the belayer to learn how to belay more proficiently.
Lead Climbing
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In lead climbing, one person, called the "leader", will climb from the ground up with rope directly attached (and not through a top anchor) while the other, called the "second", belays the leader. Because the climbing rope is of a fixed length, the leader can only climb a certain distance. Thus longer routes are broken up into several "pitches". At the top of a pitch, the leader sets up an anchor, and then belays the "second" up to the anchor. Once both are at the anchor, the leader begins climbing the next pitch and so on until they reach the top.
- In either case, upon completion of a route, climbers can walk back down (if an alternate descent path exists) or rappel (abseil) down with the rope.
Grading systems
- Climbing communities in many countries and regions have developed their own rating systems for routes. Ratings (or "grades") record and communicate consensus appraisals of difficulty. (Hence, there may be occasional disagreements arising from physiological or stylistic differences among climbers.)
The ratings take into account multiple factors affecting a route, such as the slope of the ascent, the quantity and quality of available handholds, the distance between holds, and whether advanced technical manoeuvres are required. Though acrophobia (the fear of heights) may affect certain climbers, the height of a route is generally not considered a factor in its difficulty rating.
Climbing environments
- Climbs can occur either outdoors on varying types of rock or indoors on specialised climbing walls. Outdoors, climbs usually take place on sunny days when the holds are dry and provide the best grip, but climbers can also attempt to climb at night or in adverse weather conditions if they have the proper training and equipment. However, night climbing or climbing in adverse weather conditions will increase the difficulty and danger on any climbing route.
Whether it’s your first time abseiling and you just want to give it a go, or you are an intermediate climber, keen to develop your skills and technique. If you’re a seasoned “vet” looking for funky & challenging new routes in the sun - ESC can help.
Thailand Rock Climbing Courses from Extreme Sports Cafe can be booked online
