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OCEAN CLIMBING

The new rage in sport climbing around the world. Climb off the beach, inshore, or right out of the water! Top roping is generally employed for any technical rock climbing, which allows total safety and effective instruction. Safety equipment is supplied, however rock shoe sizing is limited and advance notice is encouraged to make sure we will have everything in time for your trip. 

With lead climbing, the climbers start from the ground and work their way up placing 'protection' into the rock every few feet. This protects the leading climber, but a small fall distance is usually inevitable before the rope comes tight. For beginners, top roping is employed (photo above right). The rope is pre-placed overhead and run back down in a manner that resembles a 'hoist' or 'pulley system'. If the climber falls, the rope is already pulled tight from above and held below by the partner. In addition to this safety margin for beginners, there is no possibility of 'stranding' on a cliff if the leading climber cannot continue. He or she is simply lowered slowly back down, or (if the situation warrants) hoisted up past the difficult section in order to continue some terrain further up. 

A UIAA certified harness is always worn, and to this is attached a UIAA certified climbing rope, which can withstand forces far exceeding the fall of a climber. Sticky soles shoes have modernized rock climbing, but other forms of shoes can be worn for easy routes. Helmets are worn for additional safety, but mostly to protect against objects dropped down by parties above, as loose rock has been cleaned away at most of the popular technical climbing areas.

The word 'Alpine' means 'In The Alps', but has also has been applied to high mountain areas around the world. Generally, climbs involving (or in areas of) high altitude, snow, ice, and glaciers, are called alpine climbs. With much activity in the Himalayas, the term 'Himalayan', or 'expedition' is sometimes applied to a climb that lasts several days, the former 'alpine' designation being re-applied to high altitude climbs lasting a day or two only. Suffice to say, all types listed are arguably the most difficult of human endeavors. Used in the corporate world on posters as a vision of achievement, the climber standing on a difficult summit has had many thoughts of defeat before reaching his perch. The fatigue, cold, fear, and pain of journeys which (at their best) resemble walking up skyscraper stairs for 12 hours non-stop will cause most to consider giving up for the day. Add grizzly encounters, fording streams, sleeping on rock ledges or in snow caves, and you have one tough idea of a 'vacation'. Still, the five minutes or so one has to stand on the summit and admire oneself and the surroundings will give months or even years of increased self-esteem. The hours of hardships it took to get there will soften in ones mind to a good adventure / romance movie, never causing any ill thoughts but always entertaining in times of boredom. In times of despair, though, those five minutes of pure victory can be called upon time and time again. It is a feeling of accomplishment that has been described as God-like.