History_of_Climbing

History of Rock Climbing

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Rock climbing began with early mountaineers who desired to climb steep, hard routes. Pitons, anchors hammered into narrow cracks on the rock side, allow the climber to secure themselves to the side of the cliff. During the 1970's new equipment was developed to increase the efficiency of climbing. Climbers often look to make a name for themselves and these climbers did it by completing what they called the "first ascent" of many routes. In the 1980's Sport Climbing was being introduced and exploded into a sport every one can enjoy.

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Pitons are used similar to wedges. These metal "Pins" are hammered into the side of a rock wall and used to support their body weight in case of a fall. Originally, Pitons left marks or "pin holes" on the faces they climbed, it wasn't until the 1900's that a piton was designed to leave almost no trace of where a climber has been. Today, climbers are taking care of the environment to leave as little trace as possible.

Year	Contributions Leading to Modern Rock Climbing
1786	The first ascent of Mont Blanc, referred to as the start of Mountaineering
1880	The Sport of Rock Climbing begins in Great Britain
1910	Pitons with eyelets & the first steel carabiner are designed
1927	The first rock drill and expansion bolt is designed
1940's	World War II leads to the invention of the nylon rope
1978	First modern spring loaded camming device invented (SLCD or cam)
1980	First "sticky rubber" shoe introduced by Boreal
1983	Sport Climbing introduced to the United States
1993	Lynn Hill free climbs The Nose
2001	Chris Sharma climbs Realization, rated as 5.15a

http://cis.oaklandcc.edu/pxraviku/FA2010/s306/public_html/history.html