This section contains reference material for the equipment and techniques the club uses on climbing trips and at the climbing wall. Note that it is not enough to have just read these pages, you will also need to have practised the skills outdoors.
Petzl Grigri belay devices are installed at the indoor climbing wall. These are anchored to the floor for extra safety. You will be instructed in their use during the belay course, but for extra advice see the Petzl page. Pay attention to the "bad technique" section.
For outdoor trips there are more skills you must learn. On beginner trips your leader will instruct you in the necessary skills, but for other trips you will be expected to have mastered these skills already. If you are unsure about the skill requirement for the trip, you should ask your trip leader.
The absolute basic skills required on any climbing trip are
- Partner safety check
- Voice Commands
- Tying in to the rope (use rethreaded figure-eight)
- Belaying with an ATC or Reverso
- Belaying with a Mega Jul
- Lowering
Some more advanced skills for climbers wanting to be more independent