CHASING THE THRILL

Sport Climbing Knowledge Base

Choose a topic to explore.

Knowledge Base

Routes and Grading

How a climbing grade is given, and the French, UIAA, YDS and boulder (Font, V) grading systems compared with a conversion table.

Competition Disciplines

The Lead, Boulder and Speed disciplines of sport climbing: World Climbing rules, scoring, Speed world records, the combined format and LA 2028.

Climbing Wall Specifications

Competition climbing wall requirements: lead, boulder and speed wall dimensions, the standard speed route and hold specifications.

Types of Climbing

Subtypes of rock, free and competition climbing: lead, boulder, speed, via ferrata, free solo, deep water solo and more.

Free Climbing Styles

Sport and trad climbing, via ferrata, top rope, bouldering, free solo, deep water solo, ice and multi-pitch climbing, with photos and videos.

Rock Climbing Types

The two main types of rock climbing, aid climbing and free climbing: how they differ, with explanations and videos.

Gear and Accessories

Harnesses, shoes, ropes, belay devices, carabiners and quickdraws: what each piece of climbing gear does and how to choose it.

My First Climbing Gear

A beginner’s shopping list for sport climbing: what to buy first, what to rent, and what to look for in shoes, harness and chalk bag.

Safety Tips

Twelve basic rules for safe climbing: partner checks, knots, belaying, falling, gear care and climbing-wall etiquette.

History of Climbing

From the Mustang caves to Fontainebleau, from the first competitions to the Olympic Games: the history of climbing.

School Sports and Unilig

Sport climbing in Turkish school sports and the university league (Unilig).

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