Urban Agriculture

The third and final method to combat those issues with modern traditional farming is that of urban agriculture. If the soils of arable lands are being depleted and have limitations, the next step is to bring the farming to the cities using several methods we have already discussed such as hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, and vertical farming. Below we will explore how these alternative farming methods can be used in an urban environment to change the agriculture industry.

Now, when you first think of urban agriculture, a common solution is found to be rooftop gardens. With the amount of unused space on the top of business and residential buildings alike, utilizing that space for a greener purpose could make a large difference. Perhaps a residential building could have a greenhouse for home-grown plants for its inhabitants, or even a simple garden for a closer green area than the nearest city park.

A caution when establishing rooftop farms lies within the weight. Installing raised beds or greenhouses with large amounts of soil can be heavy, so the proper calculations and preparations must be made so that the building may support the endeavored plant growth.

Another advantageous way of growing food in cities is through vertical farming. While green buildings can grow food on the sidewalls for direct sunlight exposure and a desired aesthetic, this is not always the best method for raising crops, as it is difficult to harvest.

Growing vertically indoors, in old shipping crate containers, or abandoned mineshafts are all plausible ways to use abandoned space efficiently in cities (Sayner). A plausible method of growing in buildings with outdoor exposure, though, is through the use of balconies and terraces. Even systems such as the aeroponic towers used in True Garden’s farming in Arizona have home-sized equipment of just two or three feet that consumers can use to grow at home.

Hydroponic systems can similarly be used to traverse low walls in alleyways or terraces to grow vegetables and local produce. Oftentimes, companies will use such green agriculture or the piping of hydroponic systems to create a modern, or “green,” aesthetic for their building.

Community

Many urban gardens are made in the form of community gardens that inhabit yards, abandoned parking lots, or simply open spaces in local communities. These community gardens can bring social, economical, and accessible benefits to those who partake in them.

For one, community or backyard gardens increase the social welfare of those communities. Oftentimes, they can be simple resolutions to a city’s “food deserts,” or local areas where it is hard or inconvenient to find access to healthy, affordable foods, particularly produce. Although these gardens certainly will not feed whole communities, it does provide them with local, convenient, and affordable access to healthy foods which they might otherwise not have the ability to purchase. Because many of these gardens use hydroponic and energy-efficient farming methods, they can use up to 2/3 less water than traditional farming and keep costs down (Sayner). Some gardens can even be entirely sufficient from using collected rainwater.

Local gardens have been shown to bring communities together, as well. Offering potential employment and better aesthetics, community gardens increase social activity within an area and reduce crime rates. Many officials view gardens such as these as a great way to simultaneously fill unused spaces and raise the social status of some of the lower-income areas of cities (Plumer). Raising neighborhood statuses includes the increased property values of up to 10% in five years (Sayner). Community gardens help to socially integrate areas of the city in several different aspects.

Why do we care?

Simply put, introducing urban agriculture to areas of cities that do not already implement it is not a complete solution. Even if a significant alteration in using abandoned spaces, rooftops, and building walls were seen, it would only produce enough to feed a fraction of the city’s population. For every few hundred square feet on a rooftop, there are thousands of residents below it. However, that does not mean it does not make any difference.

Studies have shown that implementing urban farming in cities helps to filter out air pollution, making the environment residents live in cleaner and healthier. Food deserts are being combatted, allowing for the access of healthy and affordable foods to more than just the wealthy demographic. When storms and rain floods sweep through the city, gardens prevent much of the runoff which would otherwise be seen as harmful to the surrounding environment.

Urban farming is as much an educational benefit as it is an environmental one. Young kids and families are able to learn and interact with the food growing process, getting hands-on exposure to what they eat. A large disconnect between food and where it comes from appears in cities. Many residents do not consider the work or distance that has been given to raise crops for the food that they have at groceries and farmers’ markets. Allowing residents to perceive what it takes to grow food on their own or in a local community helps to bridge the gap and provide a proper understanding of the agricultural processes.

Hydroponics, vertical farming, and urban farming are all generally intertwined. While they specialize in different areas of environmentally-friendly farming, each has its benefits and drawbacks of being implemented. Perhaps making these changes are not worth it if none individually can sustain the whole of the agriculture industry? Do the benefits outweigh the costs of pursuing a sustainable method of raising produce? What might be the most realistic way to move forward in the near future? I hope these are all things you have been able to think about while reading through my civic blogs, for it is a very important and necessary conversation to have.

Works Cited:

Plumer, Brad. “The Real Value of Urban Farming. (Hint: It’s Not Always the Food.).” Vox, Vox, 15 May 2016, https://www.vox.com/2016/5/15/11660304/urban-farming-benefits.

Sayner, Adam. “Urban Farming Ultimate Guide and Examples.” GroCycle, 6 Aug. 2021, https://grocycle.com/urban-farming/.

Vertical Farming

One approach to revolutionizing modern agriculture people often forget to consider is the idea of growing up instead of out. Vertical farming is an approach that utilizes vertical space, whether it be plants growing from the sides of buildings, vertical tower structures, or layered basins in shelving units.

Many vertical farming systems depend on similar ecosystem setups to that of hydroponics and sometimes aquaponics. These systems are most commonly layered basins (as pictured above) in which the circulation process can be achieved in an even more space-efficient environment. However, I will be exploring vertical farming setups in an area we have not discussed: aeroponics.

Aeroponics & Vertical Farming

Aeroponics, much like hydroponic farming, depends on alternative mediums than soil to deliver nutrients to the growing plants. Rather, a slight mist is given to the free-hanging, exposed roots of plants growing in these systems. Depending on the water pressure and design of the system, this can appear in many different forms.

Spraying the mist from underneath the root of the plants requires only a low water pressure system, and has its benefits in that it is desirably less expensive. As in the circulatory system seen above, a specified nutrient solution flows under the plants and is sprayed so that the roots receive the nutrients directly. In general, one major advantage of aeroponic systems is their increased supply of oxygen to the growing plants. This explains much of the enhanced growth patterns seen in the additional yield of aeroponic farms when compared to traditional farming methods.

Vertical aeroponic systems require a much higher psi to create a true mist, meaning the droplets hang in the air rather than are delivered through a light spray. True mist systems are similar to the design above. The main source of the nutrient solution lies underneath the tower where the plants grow. A stream of water is pumped up through the middle and, using a high-pressure water tank, converted to a mist that nourishes the plants’ roots as it falls back down to the main water supply (Bills).

One cautionary detail with these aeroponic systems is the constant need for this system to be working. In traditional farming, farmers layer the topsoil layer of the ground with a freshwater supply; the plants absorb what does not evaporate over the course of the day. In aeroponic farming, it is very different. Without continual exposure to this nutrient solution, the exposed roots will die very quickly. Therein arises issues both with the delicacy of such a system needing the solution to be precise at all times, as well as no motor functions to malfunction in the fine-mechanics of spray nozzles or pumps. One error in mechanics, nutrient delivery, humidity, acidity, etc. could cause the whole yield of the circulatory unit to fail.

In addition, aeroponic farming systems are heavily dependent on technology. Although the ability to control the growing environment allows for faster plant growth and efficient water usage, it takes a large amount of electricity to keep these systems running properly (Bills). The continual pumping of water and sometimes exposure to artificial growth light counteracts the otherwise environmentally-friendly nature of the system.

True Garden

True Garden is a successful aeroponic vertical farming business based out of the state of Arizona. To get a complete understanding of their system, you may find this video helpful, however, it is very similar to the growing towers described above.

A prime example of the ability of aeroponic farming to transform local farming industries, True Garden uses 95% less water in 90% less space than the surrounding traditional farms (Albright). They primarily grow vegetables from common sprouts of cabbage and tomatoes to herbs such as basil or stevia.

Their greenhouses are entirely operated by solar power and use natural light to raise their plants, making their business almost completely green in growing produce. Being the first vertical aeroponic food farm in the US with the technology capable to raise crops in a desert region, True Garden is able to provide produce to local businesses and families year-round.

Vertical Farming in Space?

NASA scientists have found it possible for these easily maintained and space-optimal systems, specifically those that are hydroponic, to be a potential food source in space. Looking at integrating hydroponic systems onto the International Space Station (ISS), many years of research prevailed to detail that it is indeed possible to grow plants on the satellite using a space-saving method with minimal water usage and even does so vertically for added benefits.

The success of these systems first showed in 2015, when NASA scientists were able to eat leafy greens harvested from space. Further research is being done to enhance spatial gardening using hydroponic and vertical systems, indicating that these alternative farming methods truly have the potential to revolutionize the future of agriculture.

Why bother?

Besides the obvious advantages of vertical farming that we have already covered (space, water usage, seasonal control, and higher plant yield), it should be considered that there are several other consequences, as well.

Because vertical farming is so versatile, it is largely performed on local levels or in urban areas. The closer proximity to the consumers of aeroponic and hydroponic plants means that less energy and fuel are being used to transport these plants from farm to table (Miller). Ultimately, vertical farming is helping to provide healthier, nutrient-rich crops raised in a pesticide-free environment with significantly reduced resource usage.

Where could it go wrong?

While we have covered vertical aeroponic farming’s technology dependency, the onset of manual pollination has been overlooked. Controlling the growth environment means that much of the usual pollination from insects cannot be conducted. This then requires the extensive work and funds required to pollinate plants manually instead of through natural means (Miller).

Additionally, like hydroponics, aeroponic and vertical farming cannot support large cash crop production for those plants such as wheat and corn. Vertical aeroponic farming is incapable of entirely changing the agriculture industry, and must make a change on a smaller scale.

Works Cited:

Albright, Lisa. “About Us.” True Garden, 21 Jan. 1970, https://truegarden.net/about/.

Barth, Brian. “How Does Aeroponics Work?” Modern Farmer, 19 Oct. 2018, https://modernfarmer.com/2018/07/how-does-aeroponics-work/.

Bills, Braden, et al. “Hydroponics: The Power of Water to Grow Food.” Science in the News, 4 Oct. 2019, https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2019/hydroponics-the-power-of-water-to-grow-food/#:~:text=Aerospace%20plant%20physiologists%20at%20NASA,grown%20leafy%20vegetables%20in%202015.

Miller, Susan, et al. “Advantages and Disadvantages of Vertical Farming.” Conserve Energy Future, 26 Aug. 2020, https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/advantages-disadvantages-vertical-farming.php.

Finding ways to support a more sustainable agricultural industry has been an ongoing issue for many years. Farmers nowadays face many issues enhanced by global warming and a limited resource supply on Earth. Whether it be the heavily depleted nutrient contents of soil used for crop harvest, excessive and inefficient use of water, a lack of arable land to establish new farms on, or an inability to keep up with imminent demands on food supply, there are many issues to be dealt with in the modern agriculture industry.

For my civic issues blogs, I will be addressing the advantages and disadvantages of a few alternative methods to traditional farming that aim to create a more sustainable agricultural industry.

Hydroponic Farming

The first alternative to pursue more sustainable farming methods utilizes the science behind hydroponics. Essentially, hydroponic farming substitutes the nutrient-delivering medium in which plants grow to be water instead of soil. With a replacement base for roots to anchor from, plants that are grown hydroponically receive all the necessary nutrients and oxygen through a special nutrient-induced water solution.

Though the models can differ in setup, each hydroponic farming system requires freshwater, with a balanced pH; separation from direct contact with the water, so that the plants do not drown; base support for the roots of the plant to grow from; appropriate nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium for nourishment, the same as on a traditional farm; and a steady stream of light for photosynthesis (“The What and Why of Hydroponic Farming.”). While the environment is more controlled indoors or within a greenhouse, hydroponics is so versatile as to flourish both indoors or outdoors under the exposure of natural sunlight. An outdoor setting would, of course, include those drawbacks of changing weather and naturally fluctuating water acidities, though.

Many of the benefits of hydroponic farming come into play both economically and environmentally. For one, a vast amount of space is saved from not having to use soil as the main method of delivering nutrients to crops. While normal agriculture methods would have a few square feet of untouched soil per plant, hydroponic farms can nourish several individual growths in the same amount of space. Only enough room is required for a small root holder, often chunks of coconut fiber or peat moss, and the growth of the roots to directly access the water, instead of several feet of soil to deliver the same amount of nutrients (“Hydroponics vs Soil: Which Is Better?”). This allows, too, for versatility in where the plants are grown. No restrictions on climate, soil, or season which can otherwise be emulated indoors means that even the most barren of countrysides can see fruitful harvests through hydroponic farming.

Hydroponic methods also produce a higher crop yield in a shorter amount of time. Without having to worry about predatory insects and herbivores, pesticides, invasive weeds, or collecting nutrients from the soil, hydroponic plants generally grow 30-50% faster and with a more bountiful, chemical-free harvest. With particular plants such as lettuce, harvests can even be made twice as fast in one growing season (“Hydroponics vs Soil: Which Is Better?”).

Additionally, hydroponic plant systems use up significantly less water than traditional farms. Although pictures may indicate that much water is required to flow through pipes and circulate under the roots of the plants, you may not realize that once established, that water supply can be recycled for years on end if maintained properly. Recycling the water supply allows hydroponic systems to use only 10% of the water it takes to grow the same crop yield, and in 1/10 of the space.

Why, then, has the agriculture industry not embraced the workings of hydroponic farming, if there are so many benefits? The principal answer is cost.

Despite the exceedingly high benefits, hydroponic farming requires a great deal of funds in setup expenses. Many local hydroponic farms are established through personal funds and take a few years to pay off before making a profit. The equipment and nutrient solution required to upkeep hydroponic farms are rather costly and may have to be bought repeatedly. Even though the water is recycled for a long time after establishment, the nutrient levels have to be tested and maintained every two weeks, making for frequent trips to buy the nutrient solution or at minimum the ingredients to make it themselves (“The What and Why of Hydroponic Farming.”).

Another setback is the limited variety of plants that can thrive in hydroponic farming conditions. The majority of plants, particularly vegetables, will do well being raised on a hydroponic farm, especially in settings for local farms or in homes. However, these methods cannot support those cash crops such as corn or wheat at the supply of which they are demanded. These two large drawbacks continue to prevent the success of hydroponic farming on more than a small farm scale.

Aquaponics

An interesting and less popular subdiscipline of hydroponics is aquaponic farming. Through aquaponics, farmers establish a delicate ecosystem raising both fish and hydroponic plant growth. The water for the plants gains its nutrients from the fish and their special feed and, in turn, the plants purify the water for the fish to live in. Since both the fish and the plants require an acidity of around 6-6.5 to grow healthily, it is an ideal system for one nutrient solution circulation.

Aquaponics mimics the balance of an ecosystem in a lake or river and does not require the use of any pesticides or chemical fertilizers. It similarly uses 1/6 of the water and produces eight times the crop yield of traditional farming (“What Is Aquaponics?”). Leafy vegetables are most commonly the best match for growing with fish, but plants as big as tropical fruit trees can be supported by aquaponic ecosystems.

Introducing systems like hydroponics and aquaponics is one method to standardize sustainable farming, at least on the local level. Being able to grow large quantities of better quality crops with less time, space, water, and other resources could pose as an ideal improvement to traditional farming, if not set back by the initial costs.

I hope you are starting to see a little bit of why the traditional farming methods we still use today need to be improved upon. I will go into other alternative forms of farming in my following civic blogs!

Works Cited:

“Hydroponics vs Soil: Which Is Better?” Rural Living | Backyard Chickens | Generators, 10 Oct. 2020, https://rurallivingtoday.com/hydroponics/hydroponics-vs-soil/#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20hydroponics%20is%20often,What%20is%20this%3F&text=You%20can%20grow%20more%20in%20less%20space%20because%20hydroponic%20systems,nutrients%20you%20give%20the%20plants.

“The What and Why of Hydroponic Farming.” Vertical Roots, 13 Jan. 2022, https://www.verticalroots.com/the-what-and-why-of-hydroponic-farming/.

“What Is Aquaponics?” Nelson and Pade, Inc, https://aquaponics.com/aquaponics-in-schools/aquaponics-information/.

Hey guys!

For my last passion blog, I wanted to touch on a lesser-known discipline of climbing that is close to my heart – ice climbing! Sadly, the local season is coming to an end as we transition out of winter and into warmer spring days; however, that does not mean the glaciers in Alaska, Iceland, Canada, or other colder countries will be unclimbable.

Ice climbing introduces an entirely different level of climbing, using similar techniques to rock climbing, but instead with two ice axes and crampons. Additionally, it is a more static routine of movements, meaning you have to be more intentional about where you place your holds rather than taking a jump and hoping to make it (dynamic movements), as you sometimes see rock climbers do. Ice climbing requires your body to be square to the wall so as to get the best hold on the two front spikes of your toe crampons. If you don’t maintain this stance, the crampons slip, or the ice below will crumble from an angled downturn.

*Fair warning, though, crumbling ice is not always bad when planting your axes because you want to drive them into the solid is instead of the brittle sun crust!*

If you ever endeavor to try ice climbing, you will find it much more tiring (and cold!) than rock climbing, often exaggerated by the added element of weather conditions in snow, wind, and ice. The “game” to be played in ice climbing is controlling your pump – it is not a matter of if you will pump your arms (working your grip strength to exhaustion), it is a matter of when and how you can deal with it.

While obvious places to ice climb are glaciers up in cold, northern countries and in the Alps, not everyone has the funds, time, or interest to travel that far. But what if I told you that in cold winters you could ice climb as close as 2 hours away from State College?

If you have ever taken the beautiful waterfall hike at Ricketts Glen in warm months (highly recommend), then you can imagine how gorgeous those frozen waterfalls must look in the dead of winter when the trail is closed – that is, unless you are there to ice climb…

You cannot pursue it for personal trips, but there are several companies that run guided trips up the falls at Ricketts Glen for a shiny fee if you are itching to try it locally. Several of these trips will be advertised as “ice hiking,” though, due to the combination of hiking and climbing. I actually know one of the guides who led trips this past winter and is a student at Penn State, if you would like to reach out or desire more information about next year.

I have been lucky enough to try ice climbing twice on the Matanuska and Falljokull Glaciers in Alaska and Iceland, and highly recommend the experience if you are ever looking to travel in that area! When looking to reserve trips on glaciers, though, always choose climbing over hiking trips. Hiking trips normally do not offer climbing opportunities.

That’s all for my Climbing Catalog! I hope you guys were able to learn a little something or be inspired to go out and try one of the many awesome types of climbing!

Hey guys!

So, at this point, you may have decided whether or not climbing is something you want to try or something you will have to bear with me talking about until the end of these blogs (I’m very sorry if that’s that case).

If it has piqued your interest at all, I am going to share some of my personal favorites and/or better brands and gear to look into!

**Keeping it realistic, I will only touch on the basic gear you might want to get started for bouldering or outdoor climbing, and what you would need just to get into gym climbing.

No matter which direction you choose, it is always helpful to have a pair of climbing shoes! The more well-known and reliable brands for better quality climbing shoes are La Sportiva, Scarpa, and Black Diamond. You will see a range of shoe types from neutral, moderate, or aggressive in the selection, which varies accordingly with how aggressive the type of climbing is.

Neutral climbing shoes are what you will find as rentals at most climbing gyms: flatter souls, thicker rubber, and more comfortable. These will be one the cheaper end of the sale spectrum and will last longer. That being said, neutral shoes are not designed for any type of overhand climbing and will not live up to the performance level of that of a moderate or aggressive shoe. If you are looking to invest in your own pair instead of getting rentals each time you visit a gym, it is worth the investment to purchase a higher-performance shoe.

Moderate shoes are going to be what you find most amateur climbers wear. I, personally, love the La Sportive Tarantulace, which is built for higher performance in-gym climbing as well as to endure the outdoor rockface. Moderate climbing shoes are more turned down at the tip, making it easier to place your toe on smaller holes and have thinner rubber for slab or crack climbs. However, the caveat to thinner rubber is a shoe that will not last as long but gives a better performance during its time of use. You would be paying slightly more for a little less comfort and more wear and tear, but significant improvement in climbing shoes alone.

That leaves us with aggressive climbing shoes. Many aggressive-type shoes are the most turned-down at the tip, and will certainly feel the least comfortable. They are designed for challenging overhangs and crack climbs and mainly will be used by advanced climbers. For a higher price, you are getting the value’s worth in a skilled shoe fitted for a skilled climber.

As the intensity level increases, so will the price and turn of the tip. At the same time, the comfort and durability of the shoe decrease. Most shoes will start just below the $100 range (unless you can catch them on sale — check REI!!). Climbing shoes will and never should feel comfortable while being worn; they are not designed to be worn all day like tennis shoes or boots would be. Always buy them in person (or at least try the shoe you are buying online on) for a better feel of the fit, and never be afraid to ask someone like an REI employee for advice on what they should feel like. It is crazy to see the difference a simple change in the shoe can make for different types of climbs.

Lastly, a basic element you will need even before climbing shoes is a chalk bag. Many boulderers choose the smaller chalk bags that can stand on their own, but also have straps to clip around your waist so you can use them while climbing. Others choose chalk buckets, which serve nicely to just dip your hands in for powdered chalk instead of having to squeeze it out of a ball. The chalk bag is an easy opportunity to incorporate cool designs or a color theme into your climbing gear (matching it to your shoes?). Black Diamond has some cool designs on them, and I would highly recommend the ones with a clip strap!

As you might’ve seen these past Games, climbing is now recognized as an Olympic event. For those climbing gym-goers who always wanted to have the opportunity to see their favorite sport in the Olympic Games, they can now enjoy training and watching it along with all of the other entertaining events.

One of the more popular types of climbing found in the Olympics is speed climbing, which is a specific discipline of climbing geared towards timeliness and efficiency. While speed climbing can be done outdoors, competitions usually pertain to artificial, indoor walls. Competitions consist of two identical routes side by side for climbers to race upwards instead of technical advantages on horizontal routes. The intention is to climb the wall with no mistakes as fast as possible, often to break records, if not just to win. Climbs can be scored based on different types of climbing, whether it be free climbing standards or those less relaxed.

While these routes are harder to find at lesser-known gyms, many larger climbing gyms host competitions and offer access to regular members of their program. Sometimes climbers try to skip holds to minimize the time spent ascending the route, other times they will need to use every hold provided on the wall, depending on the grade. Height and strength both give advantages for speed climbing that shorter, less trained climbers may not be able to benefit from. For taller climbers, it is especially easy to pull oneself up the wall without having to use holds that other climbers may deem necessary. While I have not been able to try speed climbing myself, I can only imagine what momentous stamina it requires.

Speed climbing can also be done outdoors, most commonly as free soloing or rope soloing against the clock. The lack of gear and protective equipment whilst free climbing helps minimize the load and time it takes to climb the wall but increases the risk factor. One wrong move while climbing faster, and potentially more carelessly, will result in a more severe consequence than when harnessed and roped to the wall.

The best speed climbing times will be recorded in the 5-6 second range to ascend a standard 15 meters high (~49 ft). That would be equivalent to climbing the famous Hollywood letters in <6 seconds. Defying gravity — although I won’t be calculating the physics to see if they would actually be defying gravity :P.

I hope you were able to learn a little something about speed climbing, and maybe you will sit to watch it in the next Olympics!

Hey guys!

So this week I thought I might do something a little different and tell you about an obscure but amazing scene for climbing… which happens to be underground.

If you have ever heard of sport caving or spelunking, you are already more familiar with the idea of underground climbing than most. But what if I told you that there exists technical, vertical caving which requires a similar skillset to climbing? Cool, right?

Vertical caving is a particular discipline of advanced spelunkers who seek greater thrill in less accessible caves – that is, unless you have the proper know-how and equipment. Despite the stereotypical idea that cave passages are all muddy, cramped, and dark, when you desire to explore the unexplored, you will find much more than claustrophobia and mutant insects.

Vertical caves are not open to the public and have been known to house a few deaths from careless hikers passing by. The vertical part of a cave can be an entrance, whether it measures an impressive 100 ft wide and 300 ft deep or just enough to fit your body and gear through. You may have to climb, go through squeezes, or simply enjoy a refreshing dunk in the waterfall as you descend. I have been lucky enough to begin vert training in some caves nearby State College in a less-inviting 20′ drop through an underground waterfall squeeze in 30-degree weather… brrr.

While the ropes, ascending equipment, and the addition of a chest harness complicate vertical caving, much of the process remains similar to that of climbing. There are even canyon-like passages where one might have to ascend the walls without rope or harness in much more of a 3D sense of climbing.

For some, the addition of climbing to spelunking makes it all the more worth it. For others, sport caving may suffice without the added danger or need for training.

Without a doubt, the ability to climb a rock wall is not limited to the insides of a gym or the expanse of river cliffs and mountain crags. There is always more adventure to be found if you desire to find it; you simply must know where to look.

If any of you are interested in non-vertical caving, I am happy to connect you with the people I go on trips with, or perhaps take you on one of the personal trips that I will be leading 😛

Let me know if you have any questions below!

While we have talked at length about bouldering, particularly indoors, I have neglected to tell you about the other types of climbing that are both as popular and can be more involved!

The most common type of climbing on-rope is called top rope. This type of climbing can also be done indoors and outdoors but is ultimately considered cheaper and more accessible indoors, as you only need a harness, shoes, and chalk (one step up from indoor bouldering). There exist auto-belay systems for indoor top-roping, meaning you do not have to have a belay device like an ATC or GriGri, as well as an additional person to belay you. When compared to outdoor top-roping, there is the additional element of roping, anchors, helmets, shoes geared towards bare rock over plastic holds, ropes, belay devices, etc. Climbing outdoors also requires a much larger group of people to meet safety standards and to be able to double-check rigs and tie-ins before climbing. Generally, you will find that outdoor climbing will always be more involved and weather-dependent than indoor climbing.

Top-roping essentially boils down to a more vertical, endurance-based route rather than the short, technical bouldering routes. Hooked into harness and rope, walls may be more like 80 ft than 15 ft. While there is still a grading level, it ranges from 5.5-5.15d instead of V0-V16. Top-roping is more appealing to climbers who want to build strength over technical skills, while still developing an entirely different skillset of its own.

Sport climbing is similar to top-roping in that it requires a belayer, harness, and vertical climb, but is a step up in skill and technical skill. Instead of climbing straight up with a belay overhead, you are required to carry quickdraw carabiners up with you on your harness, clipping into bolts as you ascend. In this instance, your belay is led from the bottom, where you must carry the additional weight of the rope up with you. Falls taken on sport climbs can be up to twice the distance of your last successful bolt clip, making them much larger and potentially more dangerous than a fall taken on normal top-roping, especially on bare rock faces.

The last type of climbing I will cover is trad (traditional) climbing. Even more advanced than sport climbing, trad climbers invest in hundreds of dollars worth of equipment such as cams, nuts, and hexes, which often start at $150 each for a basic set. Trad climbing holds a greater risk, as you are dependent upon the placement of your own equipment rather than an overhead belay or secured bolts. You must acquire a great skillset and knowledge bank before endeavoring to trad climb, hopefully learning from other climbers who have years of experience with it.

I am currently learning to sport climb, and one day wish to try trad climbing – although, frankly, the idea of trusting my own equipment placement scares me when I have yet to obtain the necessary experience.

I hope you guys learned something about the different types of climbing seen most commonly today!

Although sometimes heavily scrutinized, bouldering is perhaps the most popular, beginner-friendly, and cheapest way to get into climbing. Without ropes, a harness, belay devices, or sport/ trad equipment, a climber essentially just needs shoes and a place to climb to boulder indoors, and only an additional crash pad for outdoors.

Luckily, since many places offer shoe rentals, including the IM building on campus (free!), indoor bouldering is both accessible and affordable. Below I’ve outlined some helpful climbing techniques that greatly improved my climbing, and I hope will benefit you if you decide to try it, as well!

1. Focus on Footwork

When first learning to climb, most people, especially athletes, have a tendency to try to depend mostly on their arms. They use most of their strength pulling themselves upwards when they are already using much of their grip strength to hold themselves onto the wall.

This common mistake can be easily remedied by trying to use your feet more than your hands and arms. Moving your feet to higher holds first oftentimes makes it easier to reach holds that seemed difficult beforehand. Additionally, since our legs are naturally stronger than the upper body, it is much less of a struggle to spread your weight over two contact points through your feet than to fully depend on your arms.

Two underlying elements of good footwork are accuracy and balance. While keeping your weight on your feet is desirable, it will work against you if you do not understand how to best position your feet on small holds or slopers. Using the toe of a climbing shoe, designed to hold a person’s full body weight on a small surface of contact, will yield much better results than trying to fit a full foot sideways on a small hold. Being quick and precise with foot placement will also help your climbing shoes to last longer (you won’t be scuffing them along the wall, wasting both energy and rubber). Balance will come naturally as you get better at consistent foot placements.

2. Hips & Resting Points

Another element of climbing often overlooked is keeping your center of gravity close to the wall, making it easier to balance and hold yourself without getting tired or falling off. Men and women have different centers of gravity, requiring different climbing techniques. If you’ve ever seen one of the centers of gravity challenge TikToks where people trick their friends into falling, you know what I mean. Commonly, women are more flexible and have a lower center of gravity (in the hips), so they will climb differently than men with a higher center of gravity (the upper body). Techniques vary greatly from gender to gender, but also from person to person, but staying close to the wall will help with balance, strength, and technique all around.

Using large holds or kneebars as resting points will save your energy, too. Mid-climb, it is easy to get tired or need a break. Instead of starting over or jumping off, you are allowed to position yourself using the holds of that route to lean against the wall and rest your hands. For longer or harder routes, this is especially useful.

3. Plan & Deliberate

One of the best ideas to utilize before climbing is to study a climb and plan out your route. Walking through the movements mentally before executing them physically will help you with precision, spotting the holds once actually on the wall, and saving energy from holding yourself up while figuring out what to do next. Sometimes a different perspective from a few steps back will make a move seem more obvious or achievable. Talking to other climbers about how they completed the route helps with the strategy, too. You never want to waste time or energy making nondeliberate movements; planning your route ahead of time is always beneficial to your climb.

Thanks for reading. Let me know if there’s a certain type of climbing you’d like to hear more about in the comments below!

Hey guys! Welcome to my passion blog for the second semester of RCL. Here I will be talking about everything rock climbing! As we go along, if you have any questions about climbing or wish to know anything in particular, just leave them in the comments below, and I will try to cover suggested topics.

First, I will do an overview of rock climbing in general, investigating what people find appealing about the sport and the different motivations behind partaking in it.

The number one reason people take up rock climbing is the physical aspect of it. While it is true that rock climbing requires a great deal of strength, it is possible to succeed without such capabilities. Climbing depends much more on a mix of agility, flexibility, and strength together, instead of specializing in just one. In fact, that is the very reason people continue to climb when they’re older – it keeps the body in great condition and good health.

A second popular reason for climbing is the social climate. Because climbing can be as simple as boudlering on nearby rocks, it is easy to find climbing areas or gyms no matter where you may find yourself. The sport’s verstatility to be conducted indoors or outdoors makes it very accessible, and, as a rule of thumb, you should never climb alone. This both encourages you to climb with friends and pushes you to meet new people from the climbing community. Most all people you will find in the climbing community are patient, helpful, and happy to meet a fellow climber. The welcoming social climate makes for a positive experience with lots of potential for fun!

Third is perhaps the most essential part of the sport – the challenge. Yes, it is both physically and mentally challenging to hold yourself to a wall and find the next holds, but climbing a route takes much more than simply performing the motions. To efficiently conduct a climb, you must study, watch, and learn through trial and error. It takes a great deal of patience to become a skilled climber. With every new route, you may be introduced to new techniques or maneuvers you have not been exposed to before. In order to overcome these challenges, you may discuss with peers, try to map out the climb in your head, or break it into parts to complete – all of which enhance your climbing ability and progress on a project route.

There are many personal reasons as to why climbers love their sport, as well. Whether it be the sense of achievement, the chance to get outdoors and travel, or to overcome a fear of heights, everyone has a drive for their love of climbing. Personally, I enjoy being able to have fun figuring climbing problems out with friends in a judgement-free environment. If there is a climbing gym near you at home or you haven’t tried the campus gym at the IM building, I highly encourage you to check it out with a friend!