Climbing

If you’re planning to go climbing, there are a few vocabulary words you need to know:

• Harness: part of a climber’s equipment, enabling him or her to practice in complete safety,
• Snap hook: an element that can be opened to let something through, used to connect two elements and make climbing safer,
• Nœud de huit (figure-of-eight knot): a specific figure-of-eight knot used by climbers to secure themselves when ascending,
• Route: can be artificial or natural, designating an uphill route with specific holds and rated for difficulty,
• Falaise: outdoor climbing on rock routes,
• Bouldering: type of climbing practice, as opposed to route climbing; practising technique indoors on routes of low height,
• Prise: natural or artificial notch on which the climber grabs and leans to climb,
• Belayer (1): the belayer and the climber are roped together from one end of the rope to the other and the belayer holds the climber in the event of a fall while following the ascent,
• Belay device (2): safety equipment allowing the belayer to slide the rope without damaging it,
• Quickdraw: attachment system with double carabiners used to attach the rope to the various anchor points on the route,
• Dévers: part of a route with an incline that makes it more difficult, forcing the climber to use mainly arm strength,
• Wind climbing: climbing technique with a climber and belayer on an “installed” route (with an installed rope),
• Lead climbing: climbing technique with a climber and belayer on a “non-installed” route (there is no rope on the route, so the climber has to put quickdraws along the route),
• “Give it some slack! “Magnesia: talcum powder that helps climbers grip holds better.

A grading system is used to determine the difficulty of a climbing route. It is based on a system of numbers from 3 to 9, each of which is represented by the letters A, B and C. In order to differentiate between slight differences in level, there is a +.

So a route rated 3a is ideal for beginners, while a 6c+ route is more challenging and reserved for experienced climbers, while a 9b route is considered to be of extreme level (world top level).

If you are an experienced climber yourself, it is perfectly possible to climb with children. However, if you are a beginner or new to climbing, it is advisable to be accompanied by a professional for greater safety.

To practice rock climbing, you need to be equipped with :

• a rope
• a harness
• a helmet
• quickdraws
• a belay device,
• climbing shoes.

You can also buy some chalk for extra comfort with your flu.

Some cliffs are accessible to beginners, as they offer a range of routes with grading levels suitable for beginners. However, it is not advisable to go to a rock-climbing site alone. Instead, you should be accompanied by a professional climber, who will be able to explain the various safety rules and ensure that the session runs smoothly.

The Maurienne has a number of indoor climbing facilities. However, access is restricted to climbing clubs and their members.