Climbing gyms create an approach to this sport that is accessible to everyone and very immediate. However, transitioning this sport to the outdoors is often underestimated, exposing people who want to try it to very high risks. Here's what changes in the practice of outdoor sport climbing and our tips for practicing it as safely as possible.
What makes gyms so appreciated is the possibility of practicing an "extreme" sport in the safest way possible: if we are accompanied by an instructor who shows us the knots and safety maneuvers, we can focus only on the gesture of climbing and having fun. The equipment is regularly checked, we are not exposed to lightning and storms, and although accidents can always happen, the risk of getting hurt is minimized.
Objective risks
When climbing outside, however, we face two types of risks that are typical of all mountain activities: objective and subjective risks. The first concerns the environment and the crags, beyond our control. For sport climbing, this mainly concerns the possibility of rocks falling from above, a hold breaking while we are climbing, or the equipment of the route we are climbing not being in good condition. Weather conditions also fall into this group, although they rarely pose a serious problem in single-pitch crags.
Knowing the area where we go climbing can be a primary factor in being aware of the fragility or compactness of the rock, the type of bolting of the routes, and the condition of the equipment. It can be a great idea to talk to experienced local climbers, Mountain Guides or the instructors of our gyms who surely know the surrounding areas. In any case, organising the first outdoor climbs with an instructor who informs us about every aspect of climbing should be a golden rule for everyone.
Subjective risks
Even more so, an instructor or a Mountain Guides becomes fundamental to avoiding all those subjective risks, which are extremely dangerous but at the same time avoidable with a little training and experience. Among these are mistakes in knots and maneuvers and a lack of knowledge in using the gear. Also, when we climb outside for the first few times, we face psychological aspects rarely experienced in the gym, such as anxiety, a lack of familiarity with heights and the rock.
Beyond the risk factors, climbing on rock is very different from what we practice in the gym because of its difficult interpretation. Gyms prepare us very well by creating monochromatic and well-marked routes, where the only skill required is to be able to climb. When we are on the cliff, on the other hand, we may feel a bit lost, without a clear idea of where to go and especially without understanding clearly what good footholds are. Therefore, various rock reading skills and vertical motor intelligence are involved, making "the game" more difficult but at the same time extremely satisfying.
