By Mariyah Ramirez and Angelina Herrera
Rock climbing may seem like a particularly dangerous sport. After all, it involves scaling the side of a cliff or a wall. Popularized in recent films such as “Free Solo,” rock climbing has become more popular than ever. According to CNN, there are more than 10 million Americans who participate in the sport. Climbing was even featured as an event at the Tokyo Summer Olympics.
There are different types of climbing such as bouldering, sports climbing, and traditional climbing all of which could be dangerous without the proper equipment. Although there are many types of rock climbing, indoor rock climbing is the most popular locally. Indoor climbing tests stamina and skill just like other types of climbing, but also focuses on beating a particular time.
Climbers have a couple of minutes to finish the route and whoever climbs it with the least amount of time is declared winner. As for outdoor rock climbing, it’s more of beating your current record rather than competing with others at that moment.
Rock climbing also provides many benefits for your body. Climbing burns calories, improves balance, and strengthens your grip. Over time, climbing can also help develop concentration, determination, and problem-solving skills. Many climbers also see mental health benefits and find climbing very relaxing.
“Climbing has really calmed me down. Whenever I climb, I always feel at peace, but happy at the same time. I like to spend my time thinking of the route and how I’d do it better next time I go on my free time,” junior Matthew Herrera said.
There are many popular outdoor rock climbing spots in Los Angeles such as Stony Point, Echo Cliffs, and Malibu Creek Canyon. There are also several local indoor rock climbing gyms such as Boulderdash in Chatsworth. Boulderdash also offers rock climbing obstacle courses you can do even without experience. The courses are labeled based on their difficulty and you always have a harness on in order to stay safe.
Rock climbing does require specific equipment. This is often provided at a rock climbing gym, but needs to be brought for outdoor climbing. This equipment includes harnesses, climbing shoes, and ropes. It’s crucial to follow safety measures like proper knots, belaying techniques, and wear helmets to prevent any injuries.
“Rock Climbing can be a challenging and rewarding sport, but it is important to learn proper safety technique and use appropriate gear especially when climbing outdoors. For those who are beginning, make sure to start off small and not just jump into hard courses as it could lead to injuries easily. Climbing is such a fun sport and if done properly can be a one-of-a-kind experience,” junior Alessandro Aranaz said.
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