Physics Of Rock Climbing
Climbing and Holds
You can have the safest equipment
in the world but if you can't make it up the wall, you
will never get to use it. Climbing effectively can be
summed into one word - friction.
Climber use thick rubber soled shoes
to generate as much friction between them and the rock
as possible. This allows them to lever off their feet
and conserve the muscles in their arms. The hands are
often dusted with chalk to increase the friction
between them and the rock. The chalk dries out the
climbers hands as if they get sweaty the friction
between sweaty palms and rock is zero.
Some of the best holds are ones that actually require friction but are bowl shapes that can be gripped and pulled on. These are nice because when you are pulling down into the bowl it is easier to hold onto.
Some of the best holds are ones that actually require friction but are bowl shapes that can be gripped and pulled on. These are nice because when you are pulling down into the bowl it is easier to hold onto.