Joanna James
Climbing albeit fun can be dangerous and precautions should be taken to ensure your safety, these few tips will make sure you are well protected.
Beginners are especially vulnerable for accidents, back up every piece of gear with another and use an anchor at a belay and rappel station. Always trust your judgement and respect the fact that climbing entails many dangers. Make sure you have adequate training under an experienced climber before attempting on your own. Having a secured harness is crucial to your safety, after gearing up and having tied up at the base, check whether climbers and belayer's harness buckles are secured. Make sure the leg loops are a good fit as most harnesses have customisable leg loops.
There are over a dozen knots one can learn as a rock climber, such as Figure Eight, Girth Hitch, Clove Hitch, Munter Hitch to name a few. Ensure that you have mastered several knots for your safety. Make sure the lead climbers knot is securely in place, the most commonly used knot is a Figure 8 knot. Check if it is tied correctly and tightly and placed with a backup knot. Furthermore, ensure the rope is threaded through the waist and leg loops of the harness.
A helmet is perhaps the most crucial element to guarantee your safety, so wear one whenever climbing or belaying. It is necessary to keep your head protected at all times, as it is soft compared to the hard rocks you are climbing. Head injuries can be serious and cause life-threatening situations. A helmet will protect your head from falling rocks and debris and curb the impact of a fall.
Make sure to use a rope long enough to reach the anchors so that it reaches the belay ledge on multi-pitched routes. If you doubt the rope is too short tie a stopper knot at the tail end to prevent from being dropped on the ground. When you are leading a route check to see whether the rope is over your leg, do not allow it to fall between or behind your leg. Otherwise, in the event of a fall, you will flip upside down and risk hitting your head.
Ensure that the carabiners and quick-draws are properly clipped through your rope. Try to avoid back clipping, your rope should run from front to back rather than back to front. Double-check to see whether the carabiner gate is facing the opposite direction of your travel, if not the rope can get unclipped. Make sure to use a carabiner that locks itself in important locations. Many Oman resort properties are located in mountainous terrain, the perfect location for rock climbing. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar is situated close to the fabled Green Mountain. There are ample canyons and mountains to try your hand at rock climbing here.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
