Expert Shares A Rock Climbing Lesson Or Two For Novices To Learn
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios


Defined Tag: Rock Climbing Lesson.

Franz Johann Garcia, a veteran rock climber from Asia who has been impassioned with rock climbing for almost two decades now, shares his experience about the sport, as well as a rock climbing lesson or two for beginners.

"Some say that rock climbing is not merely a way of life," the former ranking officer of the UP Mountaineers, one of the premiere mountaineering and rock climbing clubs in the South East, began. "These people claim that rock climbing IS life, that somehow, all of life's aspects, from the mundane to the metaphysical, can be encapsulated in the things you will get to experience in one climb."

"This is not really true," he quickly denounced. "Rock climbing is NOT life. The moment you believe it to be such would be the moment you will magnify the risks tenfold. Rock climbing is a sport; it's as simple as that. Your safety should always take precedence."

Indeed, this rock climbing lesson, from a well respected expert at that, should always be remembered. Believe it or not, some rock climbers do away with safety equipments like ropes and harnesses to add more thrill to the sport, to live life to the fullest so they claim. Franz doesn't think of this as a prudent mentality.

So, what would be a specific rock climbing lesson that a novice rock climber should know before embarking on a climb?

"There are quite a few, actually," Franz told us. "For starters, make sure that you have the basic gears with you. I'm talking about a helmet, the right kind of shoes, a harness, and a rope, though you can share one with your group."

Speaking of groups, Franz reminds us that we should always scale cliffs and crags with other people.

"Rock climbing is a sport laden with so many risks. Going on a climb alone is more dangerous, since no one would be there to come to your aid whenever these dangers occur."

Any other rock climbing lesson that novices should learn? Franz was quick to add a couple more.

"Use your legs. Most beginners make the mistake of pulling their weight with their hands alone. This is disastrous. You arms would get tired and you might lose grip later on during the course of the climb. Also, do not neglect the value of training. Strength and endurance conditioning exercises as well as theoretical lessons should be parts of your preparations. You can't trek to a cliff and expect to scale a wall without proper training. You'll just be setting yourself up for potentially fatal disaster."

In closing, Franz delivers what he feels is the most important rock climbing lesson that anyone should learn.

"Overconfidence is your enemy," he said. "Treat each climb with respect, that is, as a challenge that you are privileged to experience. This would make you value your safety more than the task at hand. Remember, success can always be delayed, but your welfare should never, ever be compromised."

BIG Mike is a well known author, developer and Adsense expert as well as the owner of Niche Maniacs - a unique Adsense Marketing System designed to build long-term passive income streams from Adsense, YPN, Chitika and other PPC services.