If you’re been to a rock climbing birthday party Gloucester and now you’re hooked, that’s great! Now you just need to decide what type of climbing you want to do. Six of the most common types are:
1. Traditional climbing
This is a two-person activity in which the first climber ascends, attached to the second by a rope known as a belay. They could take turns climbing and abseiling or the first can lead the way up the rock face, placing protective connections into it as they go, which the second person will remove on their climb.
2. Bouldering
Bouldering is a solo climbing activity, performed on low walls without ropes or harnesses. Bouldering is a popular party choice at specialists like https://www.270climbing.com/group-activities/parties.
3. Sport climbing
In sport climbing, bolts are fixed to the rock face for climbers to clip into as they ascend, eliminating the need to place them themselves.
4. Ice climbing
This is a sport for experienced thrillseekers who use special equipment such as ice axes and crampons to ascend outdoor rock faces in cold and challenging conditions.
5. Competition climbing
These competitions are usually held on artificial climbing walls, and most climbing centres aim to host a competition or two each year, testing their climbers’ mettle and encouraging them to push themselves to improve.
6. Highballing
Highballing is essentially bouldering but at greater heights. Because of the risks involved, crash mats will always be in place when highballing and spotters on the ground will advise the climber as to the location of their next hold.