Is sport climbing top rope reddit. It’s arbitrary how we rate how hard a climb is .

Is sport climbing top rope reddit There are many aspects of a dynamic Solo climbing I am super new to climbing. I bouldered only for the first year and now split my time between bouldering and top rope. Roped climbing in any form takes more equipment- harness, rope, helmet, belay device and eventually QuickDraws and stuff to make anchors if you are going to sport or top rope outside. Reddit is great for specific questions but any suggestions on a resource that helps you graduate your knowledge in steps? Buying my first rope. 9). I've been climbing for ~1. Lead climbing has a higher degree of fall chance since you will fall back down to the last clip in. What is your grade bouldering vs sport vs top rope? I know that some people boulder v4/5s but can't climb 10s because of endurance. Length also gets in to twin and double ropes. 8 routes. Hi all! I’ve been climbing for 2 years now and I just started outdoor rope climbing (woohoo!). 2 70m dry rope as an alpine/sending rope for this summer. Unless you buy a high end sport oriented harness, they are all versatile, so buy what fits you well BTW, there is a thread for beginner's questions. Rope climbing is long, steady climbing at a much "lower" V grade equivalent that take insane amounts of endurance and strategy to get through in one shot. Top rope climbing can be done inside or outside. Do you see yourself multi-pitch climbing? Buy a harness with with 4 gear loops. I know there are conversion tables online, but I’d like to sample r/climbharder on what your highest boulder and rope climb grade is (outdoor or indoor). In top rope im doing consistent 5. I climb about v3-4’s. The two anchor bolts at the top of the route are probably the last things to fail. 5 (which seems to have replaced the Mammut Infinity, which appears to have been Oct 8, 2025 · We tested the best climbing ropes on rock, ice, and alpine routes to find our top picks for redpointing, cragging, and big-mountain missions. Have your partner lower you off (no need to rappel) of that lonely carabiner while you clean the rest of the route. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Initially when I was just beginning, I didn't find sport to be very engaging. George in a couple weeks and I want to introduce a a couple of them to outdoor climbing! I’m trying to find a few routes (5. Why is this? Isn't top rope a little safer, as there basically aren't falls? Kinda spamming this thread but “sport” differentiates mainly from trad climbing but also other forms of climbing- aid climbing, free climbing (no protection), mountaineering, etc. I've been bouldering for about half a year and want to try top rope. While im still a beginner, im looking for Newbie question but I'm wondering what counts as having finished a climb on an indoors top rope route. I currently project V3/4 and 5. As far as sport, your options may be a bit limited, but there's good climbing at Little WIlson, the Dump, Sunken Treasure, plus plenty that's top rope accessible at Little Lost Cove, Holloway Mtn, and Table Rock. Jun 6, 2025 · We took to the whips to find the best climbing ropes for every type of climbing, with top picks from Sterling, Mammut, and Edelrid. The extra 10m is noticeable weight lugging it around and flaking/pulling through takes longer. I like to sit and analyze my movements on the wall and come up strategies to defeat the problem. 8 - 5. I also recently switched to top rope from bouldering due to a foot injury. In this article we explain the pros and cons of each! Did you start out top roping or just straight into lead/sport climbing? I have lead only a couple of climbs (5. Sport climbing involves lead climbing, where the climber ascends the route while clipping into fixed anchors (bolts) along the way. So one of the things I decided was not to do top-rope at all, only lead (the only exception is when I do laps but those are always easy routes that I up climb and down climb for endurance). I'm looking at buying my first rope and the information on if dry treated is important or not is all over the place with regards to trad climbing so I thought I'd ask y'all. Get helmets. Rappelling keeps the rope static, so no friction wearing down the metal. Like the post title indicates, I'm going outdoor climbing for the first time ever tomorrow! Dec 4, 2022 · In top rope climbing, the climber typically only falls the distance of the dynamic rope stretch. Granted, it looks like hard work, but it makes the necessity of having a partner for lead climbing obsolete. He is adamant that top-roping is absolutely NOT sport climbing. That’s why bouldering is more approachable to beginners. 11 votes, 16 comments. 11a’s. Any tips and recommendations is much appreciated. The home of Climbing on reddit. 8)- the texture on the sheath is so soft and the rope itself is flexible Figured out how to setup a top rope anchor from a bunch of YouTube videos and went climbing for the first time outside. Get some pear shape I am considering the following setup, for climbing single pitch crags of 8-15 meters on top rope (either tree anchors or bolted anchors): 60 meter static (aka semi-dynamic) rope, double figure-8 to the anchor Petxl micro traxion with prusikk backup. Also you'll look like a newb. Heya everyone, A few of us want to drive out to Ramapo and go camping/climbing this weekend. There are many different types of rope available to today’s climbers, and we’ve outlined how to pick the best climbing rope for your needs before. I am very interested in climbing outside. After a fall or once the climber reaches the top of the wall, the climber is lowered by the belayer. If you're setting up a sport climb for top roping where the bolts and anchors are on the vertical face and you can visually inspect the anchor at any time, then it's fine to use non-locking carabiners. I’ve used Mammut, Bluewater, and Black Diamond in that order of preference. Plus I want to dip my toes in some lead climbing this season. Wondering if people have wild camped in the sly in the park? Do people mind if you do? Also any good climbing spots? We don't have a rack so just want to find some sport or top rope climbs. To top rope, you must wear a harness and learn how to tie a rope into your harness using a special knot. As with everything in climbing there are always some exceptions. It will be used for lead & sport climbing outdoors and indoors. The solution is still my favorite sport climbing shoe that I have tried, precise and makes me feel confident on even the smallest feet. There were 4 more friends waiting to climb top rope and none of them were capable of removing the anchor. I've seen people touch the bar at the top, touch the final hold, match on the final hold for 3 seconds, touch the autobelay deviceand depending on the route some of these things are much harder than others. God damn it was so much fun. So, I decided not to set it up. You'll need to do some research about what rope to get though, there is a lot of varietydiameter, treatments, dynamic/static, length, etc. With lead climbing, the rope starts at the bottom of the climb, with one end tied to the climber and the belayer attaching a short length away from that. Nov 14, 2022 · Introduction Finding the right climbing rope is an essential part of getting yourself ready for vertical adventures, whether you plan on indoor climbing, sport climbing at the crag, or climbing on ice/in the alpine. However, not sure if I stick with a thicker rope like 9. Learn what top rope climbing is and how to set up and clean a versatile top-rope anchor: the quad. It was rough for a while, and I was getting super frustrated because I had to rest even on easy 5. 9, but have been wondering lately; Should I stick with top rope, or is it better to "cross train" on bouldering problems? Bouldering is short, intense climbing. I guess I went into the conversation as a somewhat ignorant climber that almost exclusively boulders, I consider climbing with ropes and safety gear (non-trad) to be sport climbing. The obvious example is speed climbing, but between bouldering and sport climbing (lead and top) the gap has increased the last years due to the modern style of setting. While one person is climbing, the other person holds them up. Let's say a route is set at a certain difficulty for top rope. For all of our top picks, see our article on the best climbing ropes. I started splitting my time between top rope and bouldering at my gym. As the climber ascends, the belayer, who is positioned at the bottom, offers support and takes up the May 15, 2025 · Those who prefer shorter sessions without gear What Is Top-Rope Climbing? Top-rope climbing involves a rope anchored at the top of the wall, with one end tied to the climber and the other managed by a belayer. Endurance built from rope climbing will help teach you and your muscles how to relax and recover for prolonged Bouldering sessions, and power from Bouldering may come in handy for harder rope routes. Reply reply Tom0laSFW • Rope Suggestions? I'm just getting into outdoor climbing, and I need to get a rope. The rope runs from the climber’s harness, through an anchor at the top of the route, and back down to a belayer on the ground. An anchor refers to the whole system — the anchor points, the protection gear, runners, carabiners and climbing rope. The jump down, even from the top has never really botherd me, even tough the injury chance is significantly higher than with rope. I climb on well traveled routes with little loose rock and don't top out cliffs. As for geartop roping is pretty easy to get into, the rope is the expensive part. . Sport climbing Hey guys! I’m bringing a few coworkers down to St. When it comes down to it everything is arbitrary, Redpointing a pitch is climbing without using gear to make progress up or rest; That said what makes a pitch it’s length? Arbitrary constrictions of how long /heavy ropes are and how heavy gear / draws are. I mostly climb in the Northeast, predominantly trad, but with some sport occasionally. If you're trad climbing on marginal gear or taking huge whippers, you might care more about the impact force. (Love my coworkers but don’t trust them to lead belay me haha) any input is appreciated! I've been bouldering for around 2 years and got interested in rope climbing (top-rope, soon lead). For situations that will put a lot of abuse on gear, like top rope anchors or multi-pitch anchors, I like cordelette or tied nylon runners. I’m a long time rock climber and started ice climbing this past season. This is common in climbing gyms. However that means that I’m always climbing slightly below my top-rope ability. So bouldering and has really made it easy for me to solve cruxes in my Jul 1, 2025 · The Best Rock Climbing Gyms in New York City Most climbers at gyms fall in the beginner or intermediate category. 5mm rope, for example Mammut 9. Thanks in advance xoxox The climbing is very beta intensive once you get above 10b, and you have to have good crack climbing and rope management skills. You won't be discerning enough to tell the difference between it and a tip top Petzl 8mm. For bouldering, Rumbling Bald is definitely the go-to. 10b-c, while projecting 5. There are many ways to set up a top … Just watched Pete Whittaker's film about rope soloing Freerider on El Cap last night and since I haven't stopped thinking about how nice rope soloing sounds. My question is, how can I improve my Aug 1, 2024 · Below we break down key considerations related to rope width, including best uses for various widths, rope handling, elongation, durability, and more. 2 too thin to be top roping on ice? It seems like there is much less rope drag potential overall with ice climbing since 57 votes, 42 comments. I used to use the climbing club equipment for outdoor sport climbing and not sure how thick the rope was there, but now I am considering to buy a 9. Here at The Adventure Junkies, we’ve created a list of the best sport climbing ropes for all you sport climbers out there, to help make things a little easier in your decision making process. The website for the community even strongly suggests avoiding top toping as they say it polishes the rock and has a strong negative impact on the crags. You probably just need a 40m rope for the gym, but check with your gym first. 5 years now, strictly indoors. Top rope climbing is where the rope is anchored from the top. Jul 24, 2025 · Besides your climbing partner, a climbing rope is your safety line out on the rocks - literally - so it is important that you pick the best one for your needs. 13 would have maybe v7-8 moves, but a 60 foot 13 would have v4-5 moves. Am I doing it right? Should I use rope instead of slings? Would it be okay with just one sling after two carabiners? How would you built it in this scenario? Sorry for not having better pics of placements. Beal ropes (reportedly) have the stretchiest ropes and softest catch in the industry. Feb 21, 2025 · Top rope climbing, on the other hand, involves ascending a route while being secured by a rope. Even when you know which type Feb 21, 2025 · When it comes to indoor climbing gyms, Seattle’s Vertical World launched the concept in 1987, attaching holds with glue to vertical pieces of plywood. By the time you've worn out your first rope you'll know what you want your second rope to do. I mainly top rope and i boulder with my friends as well, but i prefer top rope. This will eliminate the need for nylon slings, prusik cord, and a PAS. Other than that, some tubular webbing to make anchors, maybe some cordlette/slings, locking biners, and a belay device. Check out this Mammut. Setting up a secure top rope anchor is vital. That being said, if you’ve got rope to spare for anchor building you certainly gain a lot of ease in connecting pieces (don’t have to fiddle with making static arms and other weird configurations). Feb 2, 2025 · There are significant differences between bouldering and top rope climbing from safety to health and cost. And yes we are scared of falling. 4-season alpine climbing rope for Alps: 60m or 70m? I'm in the market for my first twin/double rope that will be used for all of mine alpine adventures around central Europe. Most of my anticipated outdoor projects this year are at least double that length. The main difference between the two is the lack of ropes in bouldering. I will recommend Crag Daddy by Patagonia Get a 6mm or bigger accessory cord and learn how to tie a quad anchor, purcell-prusik, and auto block. It’ll be my main focus/goal for this outdoor season. It’s arbitrary how we rate how hard a climb is I’ve shown him some youtube videos of youth climbers and climbing gyms, and now he is begging to go to a climbing gym this winter and wants to ask Santa for his own climbing shoes. When a climber falls, having a solid top rope anchor is literally a matter of life and death. Hi! Just started climbing, and I've only done top rope and bouldering so far, but in all of the professional climbing I've seen, everyone is climbing lead. Also, you generally want short (30-50m) & skinny ropes for mountaineering, because they save a lot of weight For a beginner I would recommend getting the cheapest rope that's climbing rated you can find. And even with trad, unless you're climbing fairly recently set routes you won't need more than 60m because all the old routes were set using a 50m rope. However, all of the people I have befriended from my gym so far are beginner to intermediate and none have climbed outside. With top rope climbing, the anchor is at the top of the climb, with the rope going down one side to the belayer, and the other side to the climber. If you’re climbing in the advanced to the pro range, we assume you don’t need to google gyms, and already have a network of climbing friends telling you where to climb (but let us know if we’re wrong, and you happen to be reading this!). These are the average of our ratings. 4M subscribers in the climbing community. Hey fellow climbing humans, What climbing rope brands do you prefer? And what length did you go with for your first ever rope? I really want to get into lead climbing but so far I only have a harness. Jun 16, 2021 · The popular consensus is that bouldering is harder than top-roping and rock climbing, even though the three sports are fundamentally different from each other. Exploring these differences will help climbers choose the best fit for their climbing journey. They tend to be more versatile and durable than dyneema slings, and they are cheap enough to cut up or leave behind. Is it possible to top or lead rope solo? Also this may sound like a dumb question but how do you top rope outside? Do you set a top rope anchor when climbing with few people? I always do but in one route I felt like it was a challenging lead climbing and didn't want to climb again to remove the anchor. I’ve begun learning about the sport, but would appreciate any feedback from other parents of kids who climbed this young, and how to nurture it. Our ropes will probably need to be replaced in the next year, so I wanted to poll the sub. Also surprisingly durable for a high performance shoe, lasted 8 months before I resoled them could have probably pushed it another month or 2. Primary use would be long multi pitch climbing (both sport and trad) in summer and easier mixed/ice climbing in winter (think up to WI5+). Tips, thoughts, recommendations? There are some pretty good sales right now. Jul 4, 2023 · Grab a cold one, sit down with your friends, and get ready to debate this list—and build one hell of a sport climbing bucket list in the process. It is many times more likely that your non redundant rope, non redundant harness, or non redundant belayer will fail before fixed bolts (and of these the belayer is the likeliest to fail unless you climb on terrible gear 848 votes, 100 comments. Share Add a Comment Sort by: Best Open comment sort options Top New Controversial Old Q&A HunchoBandoOG • People do this all the time. Reddit's rock climbing training community. Most sport routes have both anchor bolts close together and horizontal, or have chains so both anchor points are the same height so two quickdraw's are fine. I have some friends that want to go out climbing tomorrow and I just feel really shitty because I am not as skilled as them. I’ve used mine for tr-ing projects, ascending big walls in Zion and Yosemite, and repeated lead falls on both sport and trad climbs. Hello all! Ive been climbing in Evolv Kronos and while they are great, im wanting something more for top rope, for the small footholds and overhang/slight overhang. While lowering, the rope is sliding through the anchor. What are the best techniques? I've been reading a handful of articles on the subject, and watching various YouTube videos on A full setup for JUST sport climbing, where everything is bolted is as follows: harness, rope, full rack, belay device, a PAS of some sort, and an anchor build with the slings and biners. You can look for past Apr 4, 2025 · We tested 13 climbing ropes from Sterling, Petzl, Edelrid, Mammut, and others to find the best options for you. 9+ MAX) that I can just hike around and anchor a top rope. Wall, San Francisco) Climbing helmets protect primarily from falling objects, usually but not exclusively rockfall, so if there is a person on the wall, animals in the area or loose rock, the helmet doesn't come off, even if we're taking a break, unless we move away from the wall. I am wondering for people who started climbing indoors as an adult, how did you transition to climbing outside? It seems that outdoor climbers have Hi everyone. I think if you’re paying under $150 for a name brand rope you are doing pretty well. I wear a helmet when i climb or belay trad because cliff tops tend to have small rocks that can be easily knocked off or gear dropping. It lasted me a year until it became core shot from too much top roping. My question is, is 9. 8mm? Would 3mm make too much difference. Most beginner's at my gym use the maxim equinox because its the cheapest rope that the local MEC carries. I am getting 9. Then 2~4 near-limit roped climbing. Climbing lead is also different, you might want to work on endurance and footwork, you are holding your entire weight for the climb unlike top rope and you have to stop to place protection, precise moves will help prevent you from burning out. Make sure you measure or flake your rope from the middle when cutting, instead of just cutting the same amount off of each end, as you may find the middle has moved a little due to rope stretching/contracting. 1 is ok, 2 is super good, 3 is allso super good. I’ve been using my friends dry rope this season and loved it. In rope however My first rope was a [whatever brand] 60m rope, the cheapest in the store. You should definitely do both. Hello! I've been climbing for about 2 years now, but over the past 3 months have been going on a regular basis and getting more serious about it. I dont ever put my foot behind the rope. Primarily single pitch climbers, though looking to get on more multis. I know everyone always says work on your feet, but it is probably the universal truth of climbing. I will also be doing some top roping with my younger brothers. Check out this article on the angle made by your anchors. 3M subscribers in the climbing community. It is now two ropes (well, one rope rug and one 35ish m gym rope). There are always exceptions though so if you are climbing in a new area you should Dec 8, 2020 · Top roping is more involved than bouldering, and requires at least two people to do. Are you advising to lower anyway, or to only do so if there are quick links? Reply reply Ecstatic_Account_744 • The people I know who progress pretty quickly at lower grades on rope split time between bouldering and roped climbing-- progressively shifting towards more bouldering as a percentage of training as their roped climbing grades have gone up. In what way a thinner rope feels different when belaying? (Assuming that the only feeling difference I'm a sport climber and haven't done a ton of setting up top-ropes outside, but basically you want to make sure your anchor point (s) are bomber, that your climbing rope isn't running across a sharp edge, and that your carabiner gates aren't rubbing against a rock that could work them open. Read the book "Climbing Anchors" by John Long Get a rope backpack because it's going to be a lot more comfortable. Hey guys, I have been bouldering for 3 months and just starting climbing top rope. With the weight of a climber on the rope, repeated lowering causes wear on the anchor. Depends on the type of top rope anchor. I preferred the mental and more playful/gymnastic aspects of bouldering. You do want a dry rope for mountaineering, but you'll wear away the dry coating much more quickly if you use it regularly for sport climbing & trad, on rock. Two quickdraws with non-locking biners is a very common anchor set-up for that kind of thing. 10d and 5. So a session would start with 4 ~ 8 top-rope routes (2 number grades below maximum ability, focus on learning skill, refining technique and mental game). If you could just post that jazz in the comments below, that would be much appreciated! The redundancy you are pointing out in the lowering method you linked is a non-issue. If not, stop at the Red or the New on the way down. My climbing gym only has 24ft top rope/autobelay walls. Dec 5, 2024 · Bouldering focuses on shorter climbs without ropes, relying on crash pads for safety, while top roping involves higher ascents secured by ropes and harnesses. You must also learn how to use a special device, commonly referred to as a belay device, to belay (or hold up) your climbing partner. I'm looking at 2 ropes: The Mammut Crag Classic 9. Should I just suck it up and lead climb or request they set up a top rope? Am I being too easy on myself? Clip a cheap carabiner through the bolt above you and clip your rope through it. They climb to a point, and then clip the quickdraws, and keep climbing. On indoor rope routes, the rope is pre-rigged through the anchors at the top of the wall. From top roping, to lead climbing, to sport and trad climbing, to learning to climb outdoors, to learning how to be self-sufficient climbing outdoors, building anchors etc etc etc. I have been strictly top rope so far and have gotten up to 5. Interesting. If you have a top rope set up where the anchors are on top A couple of my thoughts. Lead climbing is where the the rope is behind the climber. Dedicated to increasing all our knowledge about how to better improve at our sport. Mammut (they don’t make the model anymore, but it was pretty much their cheaper 9. ♥️ If you intend to go regularly, and split your time across climbing & mountaineering, I'd consider buying more than one rope. Can someone please explain this to me? Serious question: at the crags near where I live the anchors on single pitch sport climbs are almost all rappel rings, not hooks or quick links, and the rule is to never lower or top rope off of them. If you There is no cheating in climbing as long as you are honest with yourself and others. I have a slight fear of heights but i got that managed by the first few sessions. What is the official rule to having completed an indoor top rope climb? Climbers of reddit! What are the essentials for sport and trad climbing? I've been climbing top rope for a few years now and I've burnt out all my local spots so I decided it's time to start sport and trad climbing. Any suggestions and advice would be really appreciated. I also would prefer it be a dry rope, solely because I may end up doing some alpinism in the future. Could lead climbing that same route increase its grade in theory? In my gym there are walls where you can climb top rope or lead with the permadraws along the same routes. 11a/b on top rope. I wasn't sure if there was a good rule of thumb about lead climbing adding a certain amount of grades of difficulty or not. It's really hard to equate the grades of bouldering and rope because if a route is 30 feet, a 5. (Beaver St. This style allows you to climb much higher—often over 30 feet—while staying securely attached the whole time. Used to carry a Salewa Rope Bag XL for sport climbing, it's acceptable comfy to wear on the back, comes with a rope mat that can be attached on the inside and fits a rope, shoes, draws, harness and a helmet. Of course there are other ways to build power and endurance if you find you actually dislike one school or the other. Comparing them is like trying to compare BMX biking and touring the country on a road bike. Jan 29, 2025 · See our guide to the best climbing ropes of 2025, including top dynamic ropes for cragging and multi-pitch climbing from Mammut, Edelrid, Sterling, and more. When you say "versatile" do you see yourself mountaineering or ice climbing in near future? If so, go with a harness with adjustable leg loops. Hey all, need some advice on a rope. Surpricingly! In bouldering it's very "free" just me and the wall. 5 Infinity Classic. I'm going to do some sport climbing, along with some trad once I get a bit more used to climbing trad. I don't wear a helmet to climb sport. Any modern rope is going to give you a reasonable catch, especially if you're climbing in the gym or only sport climbing. Can I do top rope in my bouldering shoes, or is that dangerous? here are some popular moderate toproping areas in the park: pixie rock, indian cove campground - low angle easy routes with fixed anchors on top trash can rock, quail springs - extremely moderate crack climbing, no fixed anchors (some anchors can be created with static rope or webbing around rock features) If all you're doing is sport, don't bother with 70. Also you'll look like a noob. Am I wrong with assuming that lead climbing and top roping are encompassed within sport climbing? Aug 21, 2023 · Sport climbing and top rope climbing are two different styles of rock climbing. No one-size-fits all in either climbing style (blocks vs swing) or anchor building (slings vs rope). $120 for 60m is pretty fair. That being said, it's the best climbing in Washington. or people who can climb 12s but can't boulder v3/4s. We want to do some small top rope bolted sports climbing, hiking, and bike cruising in the valley. 1. They vary in terms of techniques, equipment, and physical and mental demands. I started on top rope and ended up switching bouldering exclusively after a couple months. Whats so bad about top-roping? A lot of the climbers at the local crags look down on top roping as opposed to lead climbing. The gym juggles the now-usual brand of offerings: birthday parties, youth camps, and adult classes, plus a multitude of top rope and lead routes alongside a small bouldering area. abxqu bokgj gxyza xpasv hogx qkozec hnomfp awihy egoy ipejor ttiekx dsmp dfdfugd svgs asuypk