Lead Climbing Wall

How You Can Sharpen Your Skills For Lead Climbing?

If you are hungry for adventure, then led climbing can be the best spot for your next trip. People who are unaware what lead climbing is all about should know this is a technique of climbing rocks.

It requires the use of a lead climber attached to the length of an elastic climbing rope of the climber. The route periodically needs to be attached to give protection in the face of the route. There must be another lead climber who works as a belayer. This person is entitled to hold the rope if the person falls, take the ropes while the climber is moving forward

The method is less restricted than top roping because in this the climber does not need a pre-placed anchor at the top. This climbing needs only the body and the limbs of the climber to move forward. If the climber is falling, he or she can catch the Carabiners.

The basics of lead climbing wall

There are certain basics that you need to know before you go for lead climbing. This will help you to be safe.
           The leader, climber wears a harness attached to one end of the rope. His partner becomes the belay for him. In the event of a fall, a climber needs to catch the leader. He climbs before others in the route and periodically places protection for the safety of others.
           There can be pre-placed pitons and bolts to which the climber clips can Quickdraw. The climber needs to secure them carefully into cracks or other such features. The distance between the protection pieces can be 3-40 feet or even more. Generally, the distance is between 6-12 feet.
           At an event of a fall, the length will be twice the distance of the last places protection at the most. In reality, due to the elasticity of the rope, the fall can be a little more but not too much.
           In the event of the leader reaching a suitable spot to anchoring or if he runs out of protection, the former one, the climber will be lowered to the ground removing all the protection pieces downwards. It might also be that the leader belays the lowest climber which is the former belayer up to the anchors. This climber is called the second or the follower.

If you want to sharpen your climbing skills you can go for a course. People can also pursue a course in lead climbing to make their trip more perfect. Certain mistakes that climbers make are compiled in the course. These are as follows:

Back clipping

If you mistakenly clip the rope into the bottom Carabiner while leading a climb, it is called back clipping. The end of the rope will come out of the Carabiner toward the rock instead of being away from the rock. The course will teach you how to avoid such a mistake.

Z-Clipping

When you clip the rope to the next bolt that could result in a fall of the climber. It is common on routes where the space between the bolts is close enough. This can also happen when the climber grabs for rope below his or her waste to make the next clip. To fix the problem you need to down climb to the wrongly placed clip. Unclip it. The main role is of the belayer who should take note of this and inform you before it gets too late.

Toe Tuck / Leg Behind the Rope

This generally happens when you place your foot, toes or leg behind the rope while climbing up. When you are bolted above the existing position of your foot. If the foot is on hold between the wall and the rope and bolted above the current location and you are taking a fall, it is more likely that your foot will get caught. This will cause you to crash into the wall or rock directly. To fix it you have to step around and over the rope. Be careful of your foot and let it not to go behind.

Certain tips to consider while lead climbing

Lead climbing is popular because anchors are not required like other traditional climbing methods. Traditional climbing and sports climbing requires this technique for its practical use. Some of the things that you should be keeping in your mind while climbing is:
1. Stand Close to the Wall
2. Don't Shortchange your Climber
3. Don't Give TOO much Slack
4. Spot for the first bolt
5. Don't forget the safety check
6. Watch Your Climber Closely
7. Don't let go of the slack hand

To sum up, this is all you need to know about lead climbing. This article will give you all the guide to sharpen your climbing skills.