Climbing: Non-Competing Categories

Sandstone Climbing

Climbing the sandstone cliffs and towers have with us a long tradition and is vey good. It is a traditional discipline in the Czech Republic and Saxony. But we can find sandstones also in other world countries. Climbing on sandstone requires more courage and determination than on other rocks. For protection are used massive iron rings (sturdy hooks with a circle), which are very far apart (10 meters or more). Climber climbs between circles trying to find a suitable place to fix toanchoring loops (round or flat, different length and thickness), which are wedged into rock cracks or knots are bound around the tip and the protrusion or the hours in which the loop is slid it into place .

There is a ban on the use of other fixing tools (metal), such as anchors and friends. It made so to limit disruption of the surface of the rock, which is very soft and fragile. Local rules enact how you can use magnesium. In most cases, however, its use is prohibited. Likewise, it is forbidden to climb wet. The sandstone is always advisable to climb alongside experienced sandstone-climber. I climb after him – by taking off the loops you will learn a lot. In my opinion climbing on sandstone is much difficult than the artificial wall, there is also risk of breakage or catch output. Always try to learn as much about the area (sometimes some of the rocks are closed due to nesting birds) before you get at difficult sandstone towers. You will be rewarded by putting your name to climbing books and also you can enjoy the view. Only by climbing sandstone climber learns what climbing really is. You can visit, for example, Prachovske Rocks , Prihrazske Rocks , Labske Valley or Adrspach.

Climbing on non-sandstone rocks

In this case you climb on solid formations.

Limestone is the second most typical material for climbing. Mostly this climbing is about your strength. On less difficult trails there are lot of slippery outputs, which is obviously very annoying and it therefore increase the difficulty. For us the most occurs in the Moravian Karst. In Germany, you can find limestones in Frankenjura, in the Alps Arco by Garda lake .

Further features granite rocks that are slippery, usually have a rough surface, sometimes uncomfortable for fingertips. The most famous place to climb on the granite rocks is in the Yosemite National Park, in Bergell that is located between Italy and Switzerland or also in the Slovakian Tatras.

One can also climb the conglomerates. These bonding grains of different types of rocks. They usually create “rocks” of hummock shapes. Popular areas of this type are located in Spain - Riglos and Montserrat; and in Greek Meteora below „flying monasteris “.

Text/foto: Martina Brožková