Traditional climbing offers the chance to scale large formations, to take a set of gear and climb to the top without the need of another party establishing the route. It is one of the most exciting types of climbing- summits, self-reliance, and huge formations. However, trad climbing can be intimidating! There’s a lot of moving pieces, […]
One of our most frequently asked questions is How do I find climbing partners? Finding a consistent climbing partner can be a daunting task… but the gym is chalk full of potential climbing partners! Check in at the front desk at your local Touchstone Climbing Gym to find out about our next Partner Finder event – or […]
What is a hard catch? A lead belayer can give a hard catch when they don’t have enough rope out. The climber falls, and then swings back forcefully towards the wall. If the belayer gives a hard catch, the climber can impact the wall and potentially hurt their ankles, hands, hips. Giving a soft catch […]
Here’s the method.
* 1. Form a bight in the lead rope a few inches longer than your outstretched arm. Position yourself facing the rock, below the first draw or if you’re hanging on lead, in a solid swinging position. The lower biner must be hanging free from the rock.
* 2. There’s two ways to swing and hit the draw. The granny overswing involves looping the rope over your head and tossing the loop at the biner. The other method involves taking a bight between your index and pink fingers and swinging the bight airplane propeller style. Spin the rope parallel to the rock and clockwise if the biner gate is facing left and counter clockwise if the biner is facing right. Gradually add rope to make increasingly larger circles, zeroing in on the biner’s gate.
* 3. The next step involves hitting the biner. It’s easier said than done. Make sure that you’re not back clipped. If you are and the process took you more than 5 minutes to perform, pull the rope through until you can tie in on the other side of the rope.
Head to your nearest Touchstone gym and try this amazing technique! It gets you automatic cool points if you do it first try!
In the hills just south of San Jose are a cluster of sandstone boulders. When the winter days are cold, the friction on these rounded Font like blobs becomes amazing. For those looking to do some weekend bouldering near the bay area, Castle Rock is a great option. One of the most important skills required […]
