| Climbing is an exhilarating and | | | | safely support the weight. Another piece |
| adventurous sport which requires | | | | of equipment that is inserted in cracks |
| endurance and stamina. Due to the nature | | | | to support weight is a hexentric (or |
| of the sport there is more risk of | | | | "hex"). This piece of equipment is |
| injury than most other activities. This | | | | passive meaning that it doesn't have |
| makes having the right protective | | | | moving parts and is meant to remain |
| equipment (or "pro") that much more | | | | stable. They are six sided, usually |
| important. There is no one single piece | | | | barrel shaped and to be used in |
| of equipment that will ensure your | | | | parallel-sided cracks. As with a nut, |
| safety; a combination of equipment is | | | | proper hex placement requires skill and |
| necessary to prevent injury or fatality. | | | | experience. Runners are short loops or |
| Cams are devices that you place into | | | | straps used to sling around an immobile |
| cracks or holes to provide protection | | | | object such as a tree or outcropping. |
| from falls. They are spring-loaded so as | | | | They are usually made of a combination |
| to expand and hold when they are | | | | of nylon and other durable and strong |
| inserted and pressure is applied; the | | | | material. Pitons are spike shaped tools |
| more pressure that is applied, i.e. your | | | | that provide a stay for your rope. They |
| body weight, the harder they grip. They | | | | are hammered in place and are made to |
| come in a variety of sizes so as to fit | | | | hold your weight. Their grip can be so |
| in various sizes of cracks and holes. | | | | strong that removing them can be more |
| From the cam, a karabiner (or "biner) is | | | | challenging than anchoring them. They |
| attached. A biner is a ring with a | | | | come in a variety of sizes and shapes to |
| spring opening and it is used to attach | | | | accommodate different terrain and |
| your ropes and harness. D-rings are a | | | | preferences. Knowing your protective |
| type of biner which is ultra strong to | | | | climbing equipment and how to use it is |
| hold your weight and prevent your from | | | | essential to the sport of climbing. |
| falling. Another basic type of pro is | | | | Learn how to use it properly and with |
| the nut which is small and usually in | | | | time and experience it will become |
| the shape of a nut. They have a hole | | | | second nature. |
| through which a cable is threaded to | | | | Ken Morris repeatedly produces detailed |
| attach another piece of equipment such | | | | reports on ideas related to Orihuela and |
| as a D-ring. The proper placement of | | | | Altea. You can see his publications on |
| nuts takes experience; you have to judge | | | | current weather in malaga on his site. |
| which crack to insert them in that will | | | | |