- Top roping
Top-rope climbing (or Top roping) is a style in
climbing in which a rope, used for the climber's safety, runs from abelayer at the foot of a route through one or morecarabiner s connected to an anchor system at the top of the route and back down to the climber [tradgirl.com: [http://www.tradgirl.com/climbing_faq/toproping.htm Tradgirl Climbing FAQ - Toproping] . Retrieved April 29, 2008.] , usually attaching to the climber by means of a harness. Assuming that the route is predominantly bottom-to-top; that the anchor holds; and that the belayer pays attention, the top-rope climber generally will not fall more than a short distance and can thus safely attempt even the most difficult routes. Most top rope anchors can be reached through non-technical means, such as byhiking orscrambling up to it.Top roping is most often done on routes that can't be lead climbed for one reason or another. Top roping has a long and proud history in the climbing world and is favored for its safety and low environmental impact.Fact|date=April 2008 It is the most common style used at indoor
climbing wall s and is also used in situations where other methods would be unsafe or environmentally damaging. For example, in the areas ofKent andSussex in south-eastEngland , thesandstone rock is soft and prone to erosion, so placing protection into the rock would be both damaging and unreliable. There, top-roping from permanent anchors and solo climbing are the only forms of ascent allowed.By contrast, in some other areas, top roping is frowned upon for various reasons - including possible erosion from people trying routes too difficult for them or a lack of suitable top-rope anchor points.
For top roping, a low-stretch (static or semi-static) rope is recommended to prevent rope wear and rock erosion and to ensure maximum safety in the event of a fall. Most practitioners would recommend the use of two screwgate
carabiner s to provide backup in case one becomes undone. A low-stretch sling (often made ofcordlet orwebbing ) or additional rope to attach these to the anchor point is also widely used. Where the anchor point is not a firm bolt, at least two separate points should be used.It is important to arrange the system in such a way that as little moving rope comes into contact with the rock as possible - otherwise, it is possible to irreversibly damage ropes through friction or cutting. Multiple slings, or a long, adjustable-length sling are often the best options.
Top roped climbing is often psychologically easier and safer than
sport climbing , in which the lead climber clips into preplaced bolts in the rock, ortraditional climbing , in which protection is placed along the route by a lead climber. Many novice climbers initially experience the sport through top roping.References
External links
*Spadout - Outdoor Gear - Wiki: [http://www.spadout.com/wiki/index.php/Top_Rope Top Rope]
*University of Oregon Outdoor Pursuits Program: [http://www.uoregon.edu/~opp/climbing/topics/anchors.html Climbing Anchors]
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