Welcome, welcome, welcome – to our little climbing group!
Want to take part in a trip? Please fill out this form.
Want to keep up with us on facebook? Join the Monash Climbing Group
Want any more information? Contact Verena & Ben (your fabulous rock climbing reps) at rock.climbing@mboc.org.au
Rock Climbing – What is it?
What can I say about climbing with Monash?
What are you after?
- A sport?
Rock Climbing challenges you to be at the peak of your fitness, requiring strength in your arms, legs, core as well as cardiovascular endurance
- An adventure?
Rock Climbing is destined to take you out of your comfort zone, fill your days with intense excitement and leave you reeling for more
- A challenge for the mind?
For many, Rock Climbing is somewhat of a mental pastime akin to a jigsaw puzzle. Traditional Climbing can be likened to the game of Tetris. It is just as addictive and as you close your eyes at night you often continue to imaging how to fit the perfect piece of gear in the perfect crack.
- How to get somewhere?
Rock Climbing allows you to explore those amazing places which no-one else can get to.
- A childhood passion?
You’ll notice that rock climbing will take you back to those long lost childhood memories of jumping over rocks while on family hikes, or climbing any tree in sight. Let your inner child free!
- A social outlet?
Rock Climbing is an extremely social sport. When your is in another person’s hand it seems to foster the development of a certain type of connection, some might even go so far as to call it a friendship, between yourself and this person.
Rock Climbing is all these things. Those that start climbing regularly fall head over heels in love with the joy of spending time at some crazy cliffs in some amazing places and seeing themselves improve as the weeks go on. Every outdoor trip is inspiring as you head of exploring new heights and sharing it all with some amazing people. For those of you (especially the girls) out there who aren’t built like superman – remember that to become good at climbing perseverance and technique far outdo the initial advantage of having huge forearms.
What types of climbing do we offer?
Indoor Climbing – Top Rope
Climbing is something you slowly become experienced at. First, we offer you the chance to socialise and build up some climbing skills in a very safe environment by climbing indoors at HardRock Gym.
This type of climbing is very safe. If you are afraid of heights don’t worry. It may take a few sessions but usually everyone gets used to them.
A top rope is a rope which is directed through an bomb proof anchor at the top of a cliff . The two ends of the rope are then at the bottom of the cliff. The climber is tied into one end of the rope via the harness. The belayer is tied into the other end and operates a special type of pulley which locks of the rope as the climber moves upwards.
Outdoor Climbing – Top Rope
These same skills can be developed by coming along on our beginner outdoor trips where we set up top ropes for you.
This semester trips include;
- Carnage (22/3 – 24/3)
- Arapiles Easter Trip (28/3 – 2/4)
Lead Climbing (Sport)
Next, you can learn to lead climb, french style. This is called sport climbing. This style of climbing involves trailing a rope and then attaching it via quick draws to existing bolts fixed at about two metre intervals on the wall. When you fall you will be caught just below the last bolt you have clipped into. The further above the bolt you have climbed the further below it you will fall. It is slightly less safe outdoors but can be mastered fairly safely indoors.
Lead Climbing can be learnt at our indoor sessions at Hard Rock or at our trip;
Lead Climbing (Trad)
Then, when you feel up to it, you can learn traditional climbing. This style of lead climbing involves placing your own protection (instead of fixed bolts) in rocks and then securing yourself as you go along. Only here does the sport begin to carry somewhat more of a risk. Many people never become traditional climbers. So much climbing, indoors and outdoors, can be enjoyed without this risk. However, those that do learn, live every day for what it is and never look back. If you ask your climbing reps they will be all to keen to teach you how to be as safe as you can when mastering an art of climbing which allows you to explore some of the most remote places in the world
Lead Climbing courses/trips this semester;
- Arapiles (29/3 – 2/4)
Where do we go?
Last year we travelled to the Grampians, Arapiles, Weribee Gorge, the Cathedrals and You Yangs National Park. This year we are planning to run at least one interstate trip to the sport climbing gem in NSW – Nowra! If you’re keen on a real outdoor experience that you are unlikely to forget for years to come then join us this Easter at the world renowned climbing destination in the Australian desert known as Arapiles.
Climbing Grade Conversions
Are you an international climber. These conversions may be useful in assessing what trips to join us on.
These conversions are from the site http://www.mountaindays.net/articles/item/rock_climbing_grades_explained/
| UK | UIAA | French (SPORT) | USA | Australian | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjective Grade | Technical Grade | ||||
| M | N/A | I to II | 1 | 5.1 – 5.2 | 4 – 5 |
| D | N/A | II to III+ | 1 to 2+ | 5.2 – 5.3 | 5 – 7 |
| VD | N/A | III to III+ | 2 to 3- | 5.2 – 5.4 | 6 – 8 |
| HVD | N/A | III+ to IV+ | 2+ to 3- | 5.4 – 5.6 | 8 – 10 |
| MS | N/A | IV to IV+ | 3- to 3+ | 5.5 – 5.6 | 10 – 11 |
| S | 4a – 4b | IV to V- | 3 to 4 | 5.5 – 5.7 | 10 – 12 |
| HS | 4a – 4c | IV+ to V | 3 to 4+ | 5.6 – 5.7 | 12 – 13 |
| MVS | 4a -4c | IV+ to V | 3+ to 4+ | 5.6 – 5.7 | 12 – 14 |
| VS | 4a – 4c | V- to V+ | 4 to 5 | 5.7 – 5.8 | 13 – 15 |
| HVS | 4c – 5b | V+ to VI | 4+ to 6a | 5.8 – 5.9 | 15 – 18 |
| E1 | 5a – 5c | VI to VI+ | 5+ to 6a+ | 5.9 – 5.10a | 18 – 20 |
| E2 | 5b – 6a | VI+ to VII | 6a+ to 6b+ | 5.10b – 5.10c | 19 – 21 |
| E3 | 5c – 6a | VII to VII+ | 6b to 6c | 5.10d – 5.11b | 20 – 22 |
| E4 | 6a – 6b | VII+ to VIII | 6c to 7a | 5.11b – 5.11d | 22 – 23 |
| E5 | 6a – 6c | VIII to IX- | 7a to 7b | 5.11d – 5.12b | 23 – 25 |
| E6 | 6b – 6c | IX- to IX+ | 7b to 7c+ | 5.12b – 5.13a | 25 – 28 |
| E7 | 6c – 7a | IX+ to X | 7c+ to 8a+ | 5.13a – 5.13c | 28 – 30 |
| E8 | 6c – 7a | X to X+ | 8a+ to 8b+ | 5.13c – 5.14a | 30 – 32 |
| E9 | 7a – 7b | X+ to XI | 8b+ to 8c+ | 5.14a – 5.14c | 32 – 34 |
| E10 | 7a – 7b | XI to XI+ | 8c+ to 9a+ | 5.14c – 5.15a | 34- 36 |