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What is rock climbing? Rock climbing is a way of getting yourself to the top of a wall. These walls have holds or rocks attached to them. The walls have a grippy texture so you can smear your feet on them. Smearing is a climbing technique where you rub your feet against the wall. In some ways it is pretending there is a hold (rock) on the wall and putting your foot on the imaginary hold.There are three types of rock climbing.

The first is top ropes which is climbing with a rope and harness. You attach  the rope to the top of the climb and you can get belayed. Belaying is a way for someone to take the rope as you climb, letting you be able to take breaks. In the gym there are also autobelays which use a machine to belay you. The second type which is very similar to belays is lead climbing. You hook the rope up as you climb instead of the rope already being on the top. You still get belayed but instead of the person taking the slack of the rope they give you the rope.

The third type is bouldering. Bouldering has no harness, ropes, or others belaying you. The only tools you use in the gym for bouldering are chalk bags and chalk. Chalk -when talking about sports- is a chalky substance that helps you grip the rocks (holds) when your hands get sweaty.

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The different types of climbing have different ways to measure the levels. Top ropes which are lead climbing and belay climbing are measured from 5-5 to 5-13 (and higher). Bouldering climbs are measured by VB to V9 (and higher). Knowing what level you like to climb will help you determine which climbs to try.

In my opinion rock climbing is super fun. I like climbing because I like to have a new challenge every time I go to the climbing gym. I would totally suggest rock climbing to you. Have you every rock climbed before? Leave your answer in the comments