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Fund Raising Through Rock Climbing

January 21st, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Doing Something You Love

When you’re enjoying something you love, like rock climbing, don’t you sometimes wish others could experience that same high? Well, there is a way, and yes, they can at least share your elation.

Not intending a pun, but what about the highs associated with rock climbing? Not everyone can accomplish such a feat if the chosen rock wall is on the sheer face of a mountain thousands of feet high. Many people cannot afford luxuries like classes and instruction for an extended vacation involved with rock climbing. But they would watch you and cheer you.

When you are fortunate enough to find a degree of publicity for something spectacular like rock climbing, that you call a hobby-in which others cannot participate-finding a sponsor is the ultimate goal and best way to share your experience.

Think about doing something you love, something that probably comes natural, with others benefiting from your efforts.

A Case in Point

Iloo Gruder’s enjoyment of mountain climbing and hiking sponsors charitable causes. She is from Aventura, Fla., is 72 and a grandmother. Her fundraising supports medical research and treatment.

Gruder has climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa and Mount Blanc in the Alps. She’s scaled Mount Everest in Nepal, Machu Picchu in Peru, and Mount Fuji in Japan. She has sponsoring contributors who have raised more than $169,000 and all was donated to help find cures for illnesses. Her Himalayan climb in Bhutan raised $17,000 for the neurology department at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She sponsors illnesses that affect her family.

Does someone in your family suffer from, perhaps, incurable illnesses, and it seems there’s nothing you can do except be thankful that you have health that allows you to climb? Think about it.

If the only way you can help those you love, and many others, is to raise money, think about finding charitable groups to sponsor your rock climbing. If you are skilled at rock climbing and can draw attention to yourself, a sponsor would love you in their corner.

Attract Attention to your Fund raising Efforts

One of the first and easiest ways to attract attention to you fundraising efforts is to go through your closets, storage and garage. Pull out all the outdated equipment and other rock climbing essentials others might use.

Find a way to sell it. eBay is as good a place. So is Amazon.

Make it clear in your rock climbing equipment sales and descriptions that all proceeds benefit charity. If you have your charity or multiple charities picked out and you become established with them, by all means, include the charity’s name in your sales promotion.

Charities can be a climbing school or medical research. It can be your local hospital or college. You choose and establish your presence with any group you wish.

But it doesn’t end there.

-Set up a Web site or blog. Doesn’t have to be grandiose, just professional.
-List the charities and amounts that you donated to each.
-Have those charities and foundations link to your Web pages. This will draw more attention to you and your efforts.
-Link your pages to them.
Build camaraderie within those ever-widening circles. Let them know you’re looking for sponsors. You want to become known as a fun raiser. Iy you’ll take the first step, others will fall into place.

How others will Share

When you become involved in fundraising, others share your experience; of course, not directly by many. Maybe they see you on the news. Maybe they receive medicine they could not before afford. Perhaps they purchase your cast-off beginners equipment and that enables them to begin their dream of rock climbing. The elation of your rock climbing will be felt in so many ways.
If you are able to do the rock climbing that you love, why not share it in different ways and allow others to prosper as well?

Note:

This information does not apply to rock climbing only, as evidenced by Iloo Gruder’s experiences. Any hobby you have, particularly those that have the potential to draw an audience, can be turned into a fundraising effort.

Mary Deal, Pushcart Prize Nominee
See her articles, short stories and novels on
Her Web site:  www.writeanygenre.com

Rock Climbing at Sea

December 14th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Rock Climbing at Sea

Avid rock climbers are not just young thrill seekers looking to live large before marrying and settling down. Rock climbers have families, just like other people. However, when you’re an avid climber and wish to take a vacation to a far off mountain range to enjoy what you like the most, nothing may be available for the rest of the family. But now there is a vacation where the entire family may enjoy a range of activities.

Try cruises.

The Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines offers a fleet of ships featuring, among surprising other activities, a 30-foot climbing wall. That’s two and one-half stories high. Depending on the size or height of each ship, the walls, located on the upper-most desks, could be as high as two hundred feet above sea level. The walls are built to entice and satisfy both the beginner as well as the most experienced climber.

One of the ships in the fleet is the Freedom of the Sea which cruises in Caribbean waters. It is the largest cruise ship in the world and offers up the largest rock climbing wall on any sailing vessel.

Cruising is a way to indulge yourself in a vacation filled with food available around the clock, and more activities in one location than you may find in many major resort hotels. And when you wish to break out of the hedonistic mode, try a little rock climbing to get your heart pumping, your nerves racing, and to stay in shape.

Experienced certified instructors are available for training and support and to coach everyone from the beginner to the expert. The walls are built with portions for beginning climbers with more arduous trails for the experienced.

All the necessary equipment you’ll need is provided. Sneakers or tennis shoes are fine, but if you’re got climbing shoes, pack them along. No crampons and belays need be packed along to weigh down your luggage. All of the climbing and safety equipment is furnished on board.

One of the cruises into the Caribbean happens year round with seven-day voyages per trip. Most of the cruises take place in the warm, clear waters of the Caribbean, though some cross the Atlantic to several European countries.

People from around the world choose what has become known as the “rock climbing cruises,” not only for the challenge of the climb but because of the change in scenery. The scenery is magnificent and refreshing.

Think about it. Rock climbing on a cruise provides visuals never before experienced by those climbing in the mountains only. You can watch dolphins frolic in the aqua waves, where sometimes the sea bottom seems close because the clear water lies about its depth.

While avid rock climbing enthusiasts will not forsake the most rugged mountains around the world, there is now a way to enjoy climbing during a family vacation. It’s a great way to wake the sense of adventure in especially young children, but the rest of the family as well. Before you know it, your entire family will want to try those rugged mountains you always visit.

Rock climbing cruises satisfy a sense of adventure in both the novice and the experienced. It’s also a way to get your climbing “fix” when you’re unable to travel to a far-off land to conquer yet another mountain.

Climbing Gear Essentials

July 19th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Whether you will be climbing a cliff face or roping your way down, there are critical items that everyone should have and understand their use before attempting any climb. Also, be sure you have had basic training in their use before attempting any climb.

The necessary climbing gear and climbing wall gear is widely available. Many big product names like Black Diamond, Nike, Petzl, and Merrel can be found at many on-line stores. Lets take a look at some of the major items, their costs, and where they can be found.

Shoes and Boots

Climbing shoes are as essential as any single piece of climbing equipment. You can find many different brands and models. Prices range from under 100 dollars such as Boreal Joker Velcro Climbing Shoes to 150 dollars with Miura Climbing Shoe.

These shoes allow you to make purchases on the rock face regardless of the angle your foot contacts the rock.  The high-tech rubber sole can grip the rock with only a small portion of its surface. These shoes are a critical component to your climbing gear package.

The Harness

The harness is an item critical to climbing with ropes. Some rock climbers eschew ropes of any kind; however, a harness is a welcomed piece of climbing gear for most people. Like the rock climbing shoes, the rock climbing harness can be found for under 100 dollars, although it is a strip down model with no frills. It is perfectly reliable. A good example is Alpine Bod Harness w/ Gear Loop.  An example of a higher end harness designed for mixed climbing styles is X350a Climbing Harness. Harnesses are very personal but they are available for children, women, men and can even be specially designed for particular body measurements.

Ropes

As mentioned before, if you are not free climbing (or your climbing wall gear is supplied), you’ll need to add ropes to your climbing gear. There are a few points to keep in mind: weight, length, and purpose of rope. Always take more rope than you think you need. Climbers rope is often known as “superdry.” Hands get slick and hampers your ability to climb. Take a look at this kind of rope: Infinity 9.5 mm SuperDry Climbing Rope

Helmet

Another essential item of climbing gear that you should ensure having is a helmet which can protect your head from becoming bruised or bumped and they will certainly provide useful protection to your head in case of a fall. In addition, you need to include a bag that can hold all of your climbing gear whenever you are out on your rock climbing trip and in fact, you need to look for those bags that have plenty of pockets in which to hold minor items of climbing gear and they should also be waterproof as well.

Your climbing gear helmet protects your head from strikes against the rock face, falling debris, and can also keep the sun and other things out of your eyes. Helmets don’t have to be expensive, you can find them under 100 dollars new, such as this Skywalker Helmet. As another example, here is a high-end helmet: C.A.M.P. Pulse Climbing/ Skiing Helmet

Belay and Camming

And as one of the last concerns for this post, keep in mind the quality of your belay and camming devices. More than any other item, your life may depend on them. If they give out, there may be nothing between you and the rockface…except air. Take a look at some of these guys, this is a belay by Petzl Grigri and runs about 90 dollars. Precision of design, reliability (to say nothing of your life), and smooth operation.

In Closing

Remember that your climbing gear is to provide you an unfettered good time, to give you an unparallel climbing experience. If you cheat on the quality of any of your gear, you are, in the end, only hurting yourself.

Now go climb a rock!

Essential Rockclimbing Skills

July 8th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Hi everyone!

I was looking for a readable guide on rock climbing, something that had content but was not so dry as to put you to sleep. What I did find that fit that description was “Rock Climbing Essentials.”

This E-book covers in-depth just what the beginner to intermediate climber need to master. As a brief example, this book covers up-to-date, cutting-edge information on rock-climbing equipment, techniques and training methods.

This comprehensive guide also includes sections on:

• Traditional climbing
• Indoor climbing
• Ropes
• Anchors and belays
• Sport climbing
• and much more

If you want further information Click Here!

Rock Climbing Training: Essential for a Challenging Sport

July 5th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Introduction

Would you consider jumping out of an airplane without first having some form of parachute ground instruction? No? Would you think of putting on the parachute without first learning the proper techniques of the harness and control systems? No, of course not. And for similar reasons you wouldn’t attempt to absail (pronounced “ab-sayle”) down a rock face or carelessly select your climbing gear (smooth rock shoes, cams, helmets, etc). This is a high energy, high technicality sport that demands rock climbing training to enjoy and, more to the point, to be safe and safe around others.

The good news is that rock climbing training is fun, has a minimum of “book learning,” can be done on an indoor rock climbing wall (as in the picture below),

and unlike some activities, the learning process trains not only your mind, but actually builds your strength and stamina. This training and conditioning is directly transferable to the real world climbing venues all around us.

Tough All Over

Rock climbing is often more challenging than many people believe. It’s not simply jamming your foot in a crevice and pulling yourself up a wall. It not only requires peak fitness but mental acuity. Rock climbing training involves hand and foot coordinated techniques, using mechanical equipment like cams and pulleys, specialized gear and apparel like flat climbing shoes, harnesses, helmets, and chalk bags. Some of these things can be understood almost intuitively, but much of the technique, skill, and ability must be learned and practiced.

The good news is that rock climbing is a popular sport and there is training available all over the country. Training can take place in a natural setting where a school takes their students out to a natural rock formation or as is more common (especially for beginners), to an indoor rock climbing wall. Some school also offer students the opportunity to have the training come to them by means of a portable rock climbing wall. Most common though is the training held at rock climbing gyms and studios.

Rock Climbing Training Facilities

Your average rock climbing training facility is often indoors. They will have a wall or walls, each with an experienced rock climber instructor. There is usually a familiarization class to introduce the equipment. Here you will learn about the ropes, shoes, helmets, harnesses and other basic equipment used. Most offer either rental or use of equipment while at the facility.

Each wall or tower is equipped with ropes for safety (as in the picture below).

If during a climb a student slips or falls, the ropes (not to mention the trainer) prevents the student from falling to the ground. Then you simply grab hold with feet and hands and commence climbing again. Because of the nature of outdoor and indoor rock climbing walls, the climb is never the same twice. Foot holds and hand holds can be reattached in different location to make the climb faster or slower, easier or harder.

Because of the flexibility of man made rock climbing training facilities, many people simply come to theses gyms to get exercise, to stress their musculature and get a full body workout. In fact, many people who “rock climb” never set foot outside of rock climbing gyms. It’s a vigorous work-out and, for some, it satisfies all their needs. But whether you simply climb at a rock climbing gym or you eventually get out into the challenge of the real world, you will need to become strong through exercise and practice.

Learn, Practice, Exercise

To succeed at rock climbing requires continuous application and practice of the fundamentals learned in the rock climbing training facility. And its not simply a matter of remembering this grip or that foot hold, its necessary to become strong by doing, by the physical exertion of practice. Unlike some sports, your body needs to be strong from your feet to your head. Rock climbing is an all encompassing exertion that only becomes easier and second nature as you practice it. If your arms and legs are not regularly pushing and pulling, you will not be strong enough to endure a regular climb.

Rock climbing is fun. It is a work-out. But unlike some activities, it can be done with friends or even with your whole family. The kids generally love climbing and because of the rock climbing gyms they can have fun and go crazy in a safe controlled environment. For exercise, strength building, and an activity where family and friends can all have a great time, Rock climbing is hard to beat!

Rock Climbing: A Strong Body and Lots of Stamina

June 16th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

© Pancaketom | Dreamstime.com

Got Muscle?

Rock climbing is a fun and energizing outdoor activity (and indoors-we’ll get to that later). It’s a sport that involves passion, skill, technique…and muscles like steel cables!

It can’t be emphasized enough: this is a sport of stamina, energy, and raw strength. Don’t let this scare you off: you don’t need to be born strong to be great at rock climbing. Through constant training and a rigorous routine, anyone can succeed at rock climbing. Beginning with proper instruction and emphasizing strength training, you will eventually be able to attempt the more difficult and advanced climbs. However, don’t short change yourself, you will have to train your body to withstand the physical stressed that the sport involves before you can be propelling yourself straight up that cliff face!.  

 

Popular Sport 

There are many reasons why rock climbing is enjoying great popularity:

· Outdoor Sport

· Winter Climbing Options

· Challenging Exercise

· Team and Individual Styles

Rock climbing is mostly an outdoor sport. Moreover, because it can be applied to just about any vertical structure (including man made structures), it can be enjoyed just about anywhere (DISCLAIMER: we do not advocate the unsafe practice of climbing the face of a building or other structures like bridges or towers. This is highly dangerous and quite probably illegal!). If it’s not raining (too slippery when wet), the rock climber is in climbers Nirvana.

Quite simply, a rock climber is not limited by weather or season. Because of the many indoor climbing walls, and the level of difficulty and technique that can be achieved, even indoors, there is very little that can’t be attempted when the weather is otherwise uncooperative. In fact, many rock climbing novices start to learn the sport on these inside climbing walls. The level of instruction, challenge, and learning are generally high and will prepare a person for the outside challenge in good order.

When a new rock climber “graduates” to the outdoors from the practice wall, he or she is usually surprised how “new” the outdoor arena-the strenuous requirements-suddenly feel. Many climbers are surprised how different the two venues are, even though their ability and understanding rose with their effort. No matter how well you do inside on “the wall,” the real world is a decidedly different and invigorating [experience. Nevertheless, man, is it exhilarating!

Rock climbing is often times a personal experience, one that allows for a high degree of individual style, of an intimate sensation “you and the rock.” Some climbers have related a kind of tranquility, a peace of mind while they are deeply involved in the hand after hand, grip after grip concentration of climbing. Some feel it is one of the most intense solitary pursuits on the face of the planet. Dare I use the cliché again: Zen like.

However, climbing is usually done in teams or at least pairs.

 

A Team Sport and Family Activity

Rock climbing is usually done in pairs of two or more groups because of the particular style of climbing (not to mention that its safer!). In most instances, one person will be the “belayer” (either at the top of the climb or at the bottom) and the climber (on Belay) will be the person having fun climbing (in truth, being the belayer takes a skilled climber so he can maintain the safety of the person on belay, preventing a fall).

Another trend that is causing the sport to blossom and become attractive to families, is the proliferation of rock climbing gyms. Here a family can be together in relative safety, get good exercise, and the kids can enjoy the novelty of being high above it all. Not only the gyms though, they are now placing rock walls on cruise ships. Royal Caribbean has many ships with rock walls that when at the top give you a magnificent view of the ship and the surrounding ocean.

 
Individual Styles of the Sport

The other more individual style is when you climb using manual or mechanical hooks. This is where a hook is driven into a crevice or just the rock face itself and rope is strung from one hook to another as the climber ascends the rock face. This is akin to mountain climbing except that the duration and difficulty are widely different.

Yet another individual style is what might be referred to as the purist form of rock climbing: muscle, shorts, sun, and chalk. If you look at the picture captioned above, you’ll see this is the style being used there. There are a large number of devotes who will climb in no other way. Find out for yourself-go climb a rock!

 

A Great Sport

There aren’t many sports that provide so many diverse qualities in a single activity. Rock climbing provides an indoor and outdoor range and complexity of activity not always found in other sports. It is a sport that while best enjoyed in groups, can be a meditative pursuit for the skilled, capable, and strong solo climber. It is a pass-time that requires endurance, tenacity, raw strength, and energy, but that also rewards those who persevere with arms, shoulders, and backs of steel. Finally yet importantly, rock climbing is a great family activity that promotes togetherness and teamwork.

Rock climbing is not for the hesitant or the terminally weak. But if you can muster the resolve, energy and tenacity to see yourself through the training and conditioning, you will come to understand why so many find this sport energizing and richly invigorating.

Copyright © 2008 Lots About Rock Climbing

Credits: Work From Home | Matteo Turchetto | Andreas Viklund