Climbing Harness

When ever I hear the words "rock climbing" I can't help but recall that opening scene in the film "Wrong Turn." It begins with a college couple scaling the face of a rock. They appear to know what they're doing. They've got the climbing harness strapped on the right way, the support ropes, the clothing, the equipment, ect. However, they're plain and simply in the wrong neck of the woods. Sadly for them, they chose to go rock climbing in the deep forest of West Virginia. Not a great plan from what I hear. In no time at all, the man is slaughtered and pitched over the edge of the rock face, while the woman frantically struggles to break free of her harness. Well, you know how it goes from there. Not a pretty sight. So, the moral of this story is; choose the correct place to climb, and stay out of West Virginia.

My brother taught me everything I know about rock climbing and repelling. After his service as an Airborne Ranger and Special Forces soldier, he came back home with some great knowledge. One of his favorite past-times is rock climbing. So once he taught me how to rig a proper climbing harness, we took to the hills for some adventurous fun. I am not embarrassed to admit that this was a freaky experience at first. Maybe I shouldn't have watched that "Wrong Turn" flick after all. But seriously, scaling a rock, twenty or thirty feet from the ground can get rather nerve-racking. I don't suggest it for people who are petrified of heights. One thing I did learn is that I would never free climb. You can have that! Generally when you rock climb, you have ideal equipment to assist you. It's not merely about the climbing harness and strapping it on the correct way. It's also about a good knife clipped in your pocket, shoes with great traction, and gloves that assist your sweaty palms. With the right equipment, rock climbing can definitely be a blast.

Anyone searching for some great exercise aught to consider rock climbing. This experience will get you back in touch with nature, improve your confidence and range of abilities, but also get you in great shape. Just be sure you invest in quality equipment, acquire proper training, and make sure that climbing harness is well secured.

About the Author: