Brief: Sydney - Blue Mountains rockclimbing. This course is designed to make you aware and teach you basic concepts necessary to transfer your developing indoor climbing skills to the Australian great outdoors! An evening session in one of Sydneys premier indoor climbing gyms is followed by a full day outdoors.

Indoor climbing is a regulated environment where the climbs are easily distinguished. Safety systems have been put in place to allow for easy access. However outdoor climbing includes increased dangers and exposure to environmental factors. You determine the level of safety required, being dependent on your own skill and judgment.

Focus is on top rope belay techniques.

Preparation

• Physical conditioning: strength development, endurance.
• Attitude: commitment of mind & body. Awareness of safety.
• Footwear: Adequate friction, depends on climbing environment and rock surface.
• Clothing: ensure freedom of movement, appropriate to weather.
• Tape: protect hands from abrasion or support damaged fingers
• Chalk: improves grip, leaves unsightly marks, toothbrush.
• Rope: characteristics, static or dynamic. Helmets: type, style.

Rock strata (geology), Setting up & Belaying:

• Sydney Basin/Blue Mountains: Hawkesbury sandstone or Burramoko-head.
• Determine access, whose land, abseil in or walk. Check natural & artificial protection. Determine route, visual inspection, decide on belay technique.
• Belay: Stitch plate, Bugs, Gri-Gri, other. In system & out of.
• Set-up ropes selection of, characteristics (knots- figure 8 & tape knot), harness & helmet
• on!

Basic Climbing Techniques:

• Climbing with your feet & mind. Three point suspension.
• Conserve energy; plan move, then execute. Hang on straight arms.
• Holds; Selection, inspect quality, survey route.
• Footholds: Edging inside or outside, between ball and big toe. Smearing.
• Handholds: Used for balance, counter-pressure or raising. Opposed, stacking, cling.
• Knees: No, susceptible to injury, little leverage, poor grip, little stability.
• Techniques: Down-pressure, Mantel, Counter-force, Under-cling, Stemming, Lie-back.
• Jamming - hand, fist, finger, toe, foot & body. Traversing & Exiting onto ledges.
• Counterbalancing. Face or slab. Cracks or dihedral. Chimneys, overhangs & roofs.

Grade: easy - medium - hard (your guide will ensure the climbs are right for you).

Blue Mountains Classics
An Exceptional Day Outdoors on a Cliff

With a cool breeze up your back and your hands grasping rock ledges, your feet finding solid holds, then moving moving up the cliff face defying gravity, nothing except the rock and yourself matters. Once you summit, relax.........Sheer exhileration, achieving flow and finding your zone are only some of the great rewards felt whilst climbing.

Ever thought of being guided up the most inspiring climbs in the Blue Mountains eg Sweet Dreams or Three Sisters (closed until 2005). Here's your chance.

The famous Blue Mountains make for one of the most inspirational climbs you will ever complete. Meet the guides in the morning and select the climbs you wish to complete or allow them to suggest some of their favourites. An easy start to the day warms and loosens you up. Tie in ready to climb a pagoda of Hawkesbury sandstone perched high above the Jamison Valley floor or layback conquering Mt York, Piddington, Boyce and Shipley.

Pitches, led by an experienced climbing guide, take you on a vertical path to the most spectacular vantage. Help is always at hand, guides support, encourage and show you techniques to improve your grades. Turn your back to the amazed tourists, feel the exaltation on a remarkable achievement. Rap-off (abseil) and head to the next route getting in as many climbs as possible.

Outdoor climbing includes increased dangers and exposure due to environmental factors. Our skilled guides set up the ropes and safety equipment providing you with the best level of safety required. They will bring out the best in you, aiding your own skill and judgment. The rewards are great if you practice.

Grade: easy - medium - hard (discuss with your guide to ensure the climbs are right for you).

Provided: Padded climbing Harnesses, helmets, belays including Gri-Gri and other devices, expert instruction ropes: of course, healthy lunch & morning tea.

Guides: Experienced rockclimbers able to make learning easy and enjoyable, dedicated to their passion.

Bushsports Rockclimbing Adventures
Click on your adventure destination for more details.
Never Tried It Before | Rockclimbing Classics | Indoor - Outdoor | Blue Mountains