Hi
This is for non-climbing BPers. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
You will sooner or later find yourself next to some beautiful rock <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> and you may think about how neat it would be to climb it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I'm not here to tell you how dangerous it is or not too, I want to give you a few tidbits of advice to keep you alive. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> I hope others will chip in... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Scrambling - class 3 - refers to steep climbing that requires all of your hands and feet to move, but probably does not mean death if you slip. This is a good place to stop.

Scrambling requires the right shoes, or atleast not he wrong shoes. I have climbed technical rock in leather hiking boots. I have slipped dangerously on rock in tennis shoes. Wear something that will grip or stay off the rocks.

Class 4 means exposed scrambling where a slip does mean grave bodily harm. Don't go there. You can die from a 15 foot fall... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

OK - tips
1) its always easier to up than down, so if its too hard to continue up, you cannot get down either, so come down while you can. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
2) Keep your weight away from the rock - vertical like you are walking down a sidewalk, this makes your feet grip the best they can.
3) look for flat spots to set your feet.
4) handholds don't pull you up, they keep you from falling over backwards, don't rely on them - upward movement is powered by legs and good footholds.
5) Stay off crumbly rock. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
6) stay off vertical rock. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
7) refering to #1 - if you can - continue upwards rather than descending difficult rock, there will most likely be a way to walk around from the top. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
8) Rapelling is dangerous - your life depends upon the anchor. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
9) personally I never trust a rock smaller than a coffin, a far as climbing onto it.
10) never rap below a couloire. Oh man - nearly died doing that <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Jim - have fun, get practice. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />