A simple guide to rock climbing basics

The urge to climb is instinctive — children think nothing of climbing trees or clambering over large boulders. Here's a basic rock-climbing guide to get you started.

Only use purpose-built climbing ropes with an inner core of bundled fibres for strength and a braided outer sheath for protection. These ropes are extremely strong, and they stretch to absorb most of the shock of a fall.

• When attaching the rope to your body, use a sit harness that distributes the force of a fall throughout a waist belt and leg loops.
• Just tying a rope around your waist may be dangerous if you fall.
• Climbing shoes are close-fitting and feature smooth soles with soft, sticky rubber. These friction shoes let you stand on small or ­sloping holds with remarkable ease.
• A carabiner is a metal clip that joins ropes together.
• Straight gate carabiners can be used anywhere you don't need a locking gate.
• Locking gate carabiners are good for anchor points or belaying; they are so named because the gate has a threaded sleeve or other lock, and can't open by accident.
•  The list of essential hardware is long. Google "rock climbing checklist" for a complete equipment list.

The fundamentals of safe climbing are relatively straightforward, but given the nature of the activity, there is little margin for error.

• As the lead climber moves up a chosen route or line, the belayer feeds out rope from the base of the cliff.
• As the leader ascends, he or she places wedges or cams in the rock to hold the rope. These are called runners, and can be clipped with a carabiner to the climbing rope.
• Should someone fall, the belayer blocks the rope from below; the leader will then drop only as far as the top runner allows.
• When a lead climber reaches the top, he or she ties the rope securely to a large anchor point, then acts as the belayer for the second person, who ascends, removing the protection as he or she goes.
• On longer, multi-stage climbs, the second person may lead the next stage, so that a pair of climbers will leapfrog their way to the top.

Climbers need to have confidence in their gear and each other. Equipment should always be double-checked before starting out.

• Safe climbing means keeping your partner in the loop. For example, a lead climber says that runners are in place by calling "runner on." The belayer below would advise when there is only a small amount of rope left to pay out.
• Be aware of other climbers and the potential for rockfalls; be mindful that some cliffs are made of brittle rock, and keep watch for falling debris.
• Lapses in concentration following the euphoria of reaching the top can lead to accidents on the descent.
• Exercise caution when moving without a rope near the edge of a cliff and when descending steep slopes.
• The natural instinct to hug the rock is a liability; it restricts your ability to see the possible handholds ahead, and makes it hard to locate footholds.
• Don't use your arms to haul yourself up the cliff. Instead, push up with your legs and use handholds for balance.
• Maintain three points of contact with the rock by moving just one limb at a time, conserving energy and testing each hold in turn.

Seeing the world from up high is always an attractive challenge, and pitting one's wits against a natural obstacle can be irresistible. It takes practice to be able to gaze at a cliff and see a sequence of moves up the face. It's a good idea to start out with rock-climbing lessons or with an experienced friend before you take on any big climbs. Now you're ready to get out there and climb some rocks!