Leading

There are two types of climbing: top-roping and lead (pronounced "leed") climbing. Top roping is set up basically like a pulley system. With lead climbing, the climber clips into protection as she climbs. At the start of the climb, before the climber gets to the first clip, she is unprotected. As she climbs she clips into protection (consisting,in this case, of a karibeaner on a sling) about every five feet. The belayer actually lets out rope as the climber climbs (opposite of top-roping, where the belayer takes in the rope). If the climber falls then she will fall twice the distance that she is above the last clip plus rope stretch.

Down at the wall, the far right portion is the lead wall. It is overhung at around a 40 degree angle making it a very difficult climb despite the large holds.

Tips for climbing the lead wall:

Keep as much of your weight pressing down on your feet as possible. If you let your butt sag your arms will not last very long so you have to try to keep your body in tight to the wall. At the same time, you want to hang by straight arms as often as possible because it is less tiring on your arms. One technique that often helps to keep your body in is to backstep the holds (plant your foot with the pinkie-toe side in toward the wall) and thrust your hip up and into the wall. When clipping in, make sure you find a solid hold to hang off of and make sure your hanging arm is straight.

Last edited Feb. 23rd,1996 by Tim Gustafson and Derek Sasaki-Scanlon.