For those of you that think of exercise and immediately cringe at the thought of those spinning machines and treadmills in a stuffy gym, try expanding your mind and the definition you use for what exercise is. While the weather’s nice and the trees are full of life, why not take the initiative and enjoy an outdoor activity like rock climbing.

What most people don’t realize is that these kinds of fun outings are just as much if not more physical activity than anything you can do inside. The best part is that when you’re busy scaling a crag-filled rock wall you likely won’t think to yourself, “wow, I’m exercising”. It’s too much fun for that.

The only difference between those indoor grind sessions and the great outdoor rock climbing sport is that when you get ready to climb a rock wall, you’d better be prepared for costs associated with the sport. It’s not cheap and that’s mainly because of the safety requirements you’ll want to see to immediately. If you don’t you’ll find yourself in a situation that might cause you great physical harm.

And so, for any newly minted rock climbers out there, the first step in your great outdoor adventure is the purchase of some new gear. Not only is that gear built to hold your weight and the pressure you’re putting on it with your weight, it must hold for hundreds of feet and hundreds of different climbs.

Finding rock climbing gear is a simple task. Any major sporting goods store will have most of what you need. You can also get online and find your gear from online outlets or wholesale and discount storefronts. The price of your gear will likely range from as low as $30 for couplings to $1200 for high quality harnesses and tethers. Unless you’re absolutely sure what you need and what size you are, you should consider an in store purchase first. You’ll want to make sure everything you buy fits as well as possible.

You might be faced with the decision of what kind of gear to purchase and which pieces are most important. First of all, everything is equally important, but one thing many people don’t pay quite as much attention to is the importance of rock climbing shoes. The grip they offer is second to none and you’ll need every bit of grip when climbing a sheer rock face and your life is on the line.

The rest of your gear is largely self-explanatory, but taking a good class and spending your time in a store front is vital to making sure you don’t forget anything. You’ll want every bit of rope, clasp, harness, and hook you’ll need when you set out or you might find yourself in danger when there’s no need to be.

Another important aspect which has arisen in recent years when choosing your gear is the environmental impact you leave on the rocks you are climbing. There is a bit of a push of late to move to clean climbing practices by not drilling bolts or hammering pitons into the rock. These important tools have long been used as anchors for keeping you attached to that great big rock face above the ground. However, recent developments such as spring-loaded camming devices have made them less necessary.

When you take your climbing classes, make sure to ask about clean climbing and the differences from plain old sport climbing. Rock climbing is a wonderful sport that millions enjoy around the world every year. It’s effective in keeping you fit and fun all the while. However, make sure when you set out that you know exactly what you need and the effect you’ll be having on the environment in the process.

Rock climbing is a great way to escape the rat race, live on the edge and get a heck of a view. Alas, your rock climbing experiences can fade with time. The best way to prevent this is to keep a rock climbing journal.

Rock climbing Journals

Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent rock climbing experience. What sticks out in your mind? Did you go bouldering at Joshua Tree for the weekend? Now think about the first time you ever went rock climbing. Undoubtedly, you remember few things about the geography, people you went with and the particular rock climbing routes. The experiences you’ve forgotten are lost to time. If you keep a rock climbing journal, this won’t be the case.

There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout time. Of course, Anne Frank’s Diary is the best example. In her diary, Anne kept a running commentary of the two years her family spent hiding from the Nazis. While your rock climbing experiences better be more lighthearted, keeping a journal will let you remember them as the years pass.

A good rock climbing journal combines a number of characteristics. First, it should be compact so you don’t have to take up unnecessary space for other things. Second, it should have a case to protect it from the elements and so on. Third, the journal should contain blank areas to write your notes. Fourth, the journal should contain cue spaces to remind you to keep notes on specific things. Cues should include:

1. Who you went rock climbing with,

2. The nature and quality of the rock,

3. Who you met and contact information for them,

4. The geographic and weather conditions,

5. Any unique things that occurred while rock climbing,

6. The routes you took up the ice and alternatives.

7. The equipment you needed to make the climb, and

8. Any inside information provided by locals or other climbers you met.

At the end of the rock climbing trip, you should be able to get the following from your journal:

1. Contact information for other climbers you met,

2. Enough detail to provide you or a friend with a route guide if you climb the location a second time.

3. Memories to reflect upon years later, and

4. Something to pass on to your friends, children and grandchildren.

To get the most out of your rock climbing journal, you should write in it just before you climb and when you return. It is always interesting to see the different impressions you have before and after a climb. Was it harder than you thought or easier?

Rock climbing is a great way to commune with nature and spend a weekend. Make sure to preserve the experience with your rock climbing journal.