Research diferent Land-based Outdoor and Adventurous Actvites
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing involves climbing across or ascending a
steep object either individually or as a group, indoors or
outdoors – however I will be expanding on the outdoor
element of climbing. The basic equipment that would be
needed to take part in this actvity is a carabiner, a
harness, a rope, a belay and a helmet. A variety of other
pieces of climbing equipment can be used outside
depending on the locaton, gradient and texture of the
rock – climbing shoes and chalk are ofen desirable to help maintain a good grip, and for the more experienced
climbers, nut keys, cams, pulleys and slings may be used.
There are four main types of climbing; bouldering, weaselling, solo climbing, and lead climbing. Bouldering is a
form of rock climbing that is performed without the use of rope or harnesses. While it can be done without
any equipment, most climbers use climbing shoes to help secure footholds, chalk to keep their hands dry and
maintain grip, and bouldering mats to prevent injuries from falls. Most bouldering routes are about 6m tall.
Weaselling is where rock faces are explored by squeezing through gaps, scrambling over rocks and crawling
under boulders. Solo climbing is where a person climbs normally but without any equipment or help from
others (no belayer) and lead climbing is ‘normal’ climbing – where one person wears a harness and is belayed
up the rock face by another person on the ground. Locally, Exmoor adventures 1 are a provider for rock
climbing. Obviously based in Exmoor, they provide all kinds of climbing experiences including skills courses.
There are a variety of other providers for rock climbing, including public, private and voluntary clubs.
Rock climbing can vary in price – the price of a loaded skills course can be roughly £65, however from research,
most places ofer yearly membership for around £20 for those with their own equipment and experience. The
target group for rock climbing would likely be for able bodied people aged 8+, due to the fact that young
children may be put at risk due to the heights and dangers that can be encountered when climbing. However,
climbing is a generally safe actvity and most people can get stuck in with a litle bit or prior preparaton. Good
local locatons for rock climbing include the Lake District or peak district due to the variety of rock faces that
are available to climb. The armed forces are big on adventure training and use outdoor rock climbing regularly
to promote teamwork, communicaton and leadership in
their personnel.
Abseiling
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htp://www.exmooradventures.co.uk
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