Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A S P R I N G | 2 0 1 5 1 3 Gal CLIMbING IS AN ADDICTING COMbINATION Of POWeR, GRACe, bALANCe, AND PReCI- SION—WheTheR YOu STICK TO The CLIMbING GYM OR SPeND YOuR SuMMeRS OuTDOORS. I started climbing four years ago, and it immediately became my number-one hobby. Climbing has taken me to amazing places, kept me fi t year round, and been the most rewarding, challenging sport I've ever undertaken. Getting started is easy—visit your local climbing gym for lessons, gear, and to meet some great people. Here are a few things to know before you hit the rocks. WOMeN CLIMb DIffeReNTLY ThAN MeN. IT'S JuST OuR PhYSIOLOGY. Our center of gravity is lower than men's, and most of us don't have the upper-body brawn of our male counterparts. Surprisingly, our legs are more important than our arms for climbing. Most wom- en's legs are stronger than their arms; those are the muscles that will push you up to the next handhold. Height is another difference—while it can be frustrating to see a guy grab that out-of-reach hold, fi guring out a more complicated sequence will make you that much smarter of a climber. YOu'LL CATCh ON fAST... AND TheN PL ATeAu. Don't get discouraged, this is perfectly normal. Once beginner climbers grasp the basics, they climb harder routes and improve quickly. It's a great feeling to fl y up a route that you couldn't do a week ago. Then suddenly, you stagnate at a grade for months on end. This means it's time to hone your technique. Refi ned footwork will help you tackle tricky sequences, and learning more advanced moves like fl agging, backstepping, and how to manipulate lousy holds will make you a more capable climber. I recommend taking a lesson or beginner class—starting out with the correct technique eliminates bad habits further down the line. Don't forget that everyone climbs differently. I prefer big, overhanging moves, and tend to use grip strength to compensate for incorrect sequencing. Delicate, balanced climbs are not my forte, which makes it more important that I don't ignore them. Work on a comprehensive skill- set: power, endurance, balance, precision. CLIMbING GeAR CAN SAve YOuR LIfe. This isn't about having the snazziest swag at the crag—your gear keeps you and your partner alive, simple as that. Having your own shoes and harness is a good start, and thanks to the increasing popularity of the sport, new climbing gear is becoming more affordable. Climbing equipment can be found at second-hand stores, but be sure to get all load-bearing gear evaluated by a professional. "Load bear- ing" means anything that catches a fall, such as a harness, carabiner, belay device, anchor components, or rope. Unless you know the previous owner, getting second-hand ropes or slings is not recommended. Used shoes, on the other hand, are wonderful. Not only are they cheaper, they're already broken in! Make sure the bottoms of the shoes are mostly intact, as the special rubber outsole will help you stick to the rock. fOLLOW The SAfeT Y PROTO COL. Climbing can be a risky sport. It is rewarding, exhilarating, challenging, and beautiful, but there are inherent dangers. After you get the hang of the fi gure-8 knot and ATC mechanics, it might feel like overkill to check your partner before every climb. However, the more comfortable you get, the easier it is to do something incorrectly. There are few correct ways to tie or clip in, and many incorrect ways that can result in injury or death. Luckily, you can mitigate that risk by checking your partner and their gear before every climb. Whenever you climb with a new partner, make sure they are well-versed in the correct procedures and respect the safety protocol. SION—WheTheR YOu STICK TO The CLIMbING GYM OR SPeND YOuR SuMMeRS OuTDOORS. I started climbing four years ago, and it immediately became my number-one hobby. Climbing has taken me to amazing places, kept me fi t year round, and been the most rewarding, challenging sport I've ever undertaken. Getting started is easy—visit your local climbing gym for lessons, gear, and to meet some great people. Here are a few things to know WOMeN CLIMb DIffeReNTLY ThAN MeN. Our center of gravity is lower than men's, and most of us don't have the upper-body brawn of our male counterparts. Surprisingly, our legs are more important than our arms for climbing. Most wom- en's legs are stronger than their arms; those are the muscles that will push you up to the next handhold. Height is another difference—while it can be frustrating to see a guy grab that out-of-reach hold, fi guring out a more complicated sequence will make you that much smarter of a climber. YOu'LL CATCh ON fAST... AND TheN PL ATeAu. Don't get discouraged, this is perfectly normal. Once beginner climbers grasp the basics, they climb harder routes and improve quickly. It's a great feeling to fl y up a route that you couldn't do a week ago. Then suddenly, you stagnate at a grade for months on end. This means it's time to hone your technique. Refi ned footwork will help you tackle tricky sequences, and learning more advanced moves like fl agging, backstepping, and how to manipulate lousy holds will make you a more capable MAGGIe SLePIAN lives in Bozeman and is lucky enough to work at Spire Climbing Center as a climbing instructor and front desk minion. She's taking this spring/summer off from climbing to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. 1 2 3 4 Becky Switzer crushes a boulder problem at Spire Climbing Center in Bozeman.

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