We can divide rock climbing into several types: rope climbing “guided” and “rod”. The former involves the climber being tied to a rope and hooking it higher and higher on successive belay points. On the ground stands another person (tied to the same rope), who belays the climber. Climbing “by rod” involves the rope to which the climber is attached being overhung at the top of a rock or climbing wall. The method is always used when climbing for time.
CLIMBING REGIONS
A very popular and interesting rock group is the Krucze Skały near Karpacz and Szklarska Poreba. It is a string of several rock protrusions, made of granite-gneiss, rising from the slope of the Plomnica River. In some places the height of the rocks reaches up to 30 meters. Over the past few years, climbing routes have been equipped with permanent flights and climbing pitches. Thanks to this, people who are not so experienced in climbing rocky peaks can also climb. A center for extreme sports – the “Quasar” Mountain School – operates on the Crow Rocks.
Under the supervision of an instructor, you can go rock climbing, go down a tyrolean, jump on a pendulum or go over a precipice on a rope bridge. It’s also worth going to the Janowickie Ore Mountains. There are trails for beginners and very experienced climbers. All routes are well protected and varied in difficulty. The Sokoliks (Sokolik Duży and Sokolik Mały) in the Falcon Mountains are very popular. Also gaining popularity are the nearby Cloth, Krzywa Turnia and Jastrzębia Turnia. In the heart of the Janowickie Ore Mountains you will find: Skalny Most, Piec, Starościńskie Skały or Rocks.
Famous Himalayists such as Wanda Rutkiewicz, Jerzy Kukuczka and Aleksander Lviv began their climbing adventure here,” says Mateusz Caban, Tourist Service Inspector from the Janowice Wielkie municipality, representing Brand Karkonosze. An interesting rock formation is Przedmoście, a granite wall in the Janovka Valley. It offers 7 climbing lines of varying difficulty, and its walls are up to 15 meters high. Places perfect for climbing are also found in the Jizera Mountains range near Szklarska Poreba. Athletes here can choose from the 18-meter-high Piekielnik, Bobrowe Skały (here there is a choice of as many as 60 climbing routes!), and near Borowice – Szwedzkie Skały. Climbing to the top is quite a challenge, as their walls are practically vertical.
EQUIPMENT:
Rock climbing is gaining popularity, as it does not require extensive equipment resources. The basic and most important element is the right shoes. The basic criterion for selection should be size – shoes should be at least 2-3 numbers too small! You should also get a bag for magnesia, which prevents your hands from slipping off the rock. Equally important is the harness, which is the elementary belay equipment. Buying a new harness is a considerable expense, fortunately, you can easily rent one.
An important piece of equipment is a rope – choosing the right one is quite difficult and it is a good idea to do thorough research before buying. Depending on the form of climbing, ropes are different – static or dynamic. It’s also worth getting a carabiner, figure eight and express, used for belaying during climbing. An alternative form of climbing is the so-called Bouldering, which is climbing without a rope and no additional belay. Bouldering can be practiced even in the city – climbing on walls, walls, buildings, etc. True climbing fans say that climbing skyscrapers is not the same as climbing mountain peaks, which provide a dose of adrenaline like no other sport. It’s worth finding out for yourself….
