Must-Haves for Sport Climbing in Australia

Australia consists of the mainland continent, the island of Tasmania, and other smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest country in the world in terms of land area. With its large size, Australia has a wide variety of landscapes. It has some of the most stunning beaches in the world, attracting surfers from all over. It also has some of the best terrains for rock climbers, especially in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Moonarie, and the island of Tasmania.

Many suppliers recognise the considerable size of Australia’s climbing community. Brands such as Verx Australia offer the most reliable climbing gear in the country, including the following essentials for both novice and experienced climbers:

 

Climbing Rope

The climbing rope is the single most important piece of rock climbing equipment. Your safety and the success of your climb would depend on the toughness of all your gear, but never more so that on your rope. Some of the things to consider when buying rope are the diameter, length, type, features, and safety ratings. 


Harness 

The harness is the gear that will connect you to the rope. Harnesses have two tie-in points where you can securely tie the rope. One is at the waist, while the other is at the loop of the legs.  


Helmet

Some helmets are rated to protect you from falls, while others are worn to protect you from falling debris. Both are readily available from reputable suppliers such as Verx Australia. Indoor climbing normally does not require helmets as it is usually a controlled environment with many safety precautions, such as foam floors.


Belay Device

A belay device is a mechanical friction brake designed to control the rope. It is used to arrest a fall, lower a climber, or let out the rope when climbing.


Carabiners

A carabiner is a strong but lightweight ring used to secure the climbing rope to other climbing gear pieces such as nuts, bolts, and camming devices. These are used for protection while climbing. 

Most carabiners today are made from a combination of steel and plastic, designed with a gate through which the climbing rope can pass through.   


Chalk Bag and Chalk

When climbing, a firm grip is vital to maintain your safety. This means removing any trace of moisture from your hands throughout the ascent. Chalk is extremely effective in drying the moisture and giving you a secure grip.  


Quickdraws

Most sports routes already have secure lines of bolts drilled into the rock surface, including a fixed anchor at the top. These routes can vary in difficulty, depending on the grade. It is sometimes difficult to stop and turn back once you have committed to a route, so choosing which one to take on is critical. But regardless of which route you take on, it is imperative that you have reliable quickdraws.

Quickdraws are two non-locking carabiners sewn to both ends of a sling. They usually come in lengths of 10cm to 12cm and 15cm and 18cm. The shorter quickdraws are lighter and less bulky when on the harness. They are excellent for straightforward routes with a low level of difficulty. Long quickdraws are used for winding routes and overhung cliffs. 

Some brands, such as Verx Australia, offer two-in-one draws, which give you the option to use long or short draws, depending on your route’s difficulty. This saves valuable space on your rack and money from having to buy two separate draws.

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