• Naturalness: the child has a desire to explore the world, for example, he begins to climb trees.
• Safety: if children climb high into trees, there is a high probability of falling, but in rock climbing there is always a safety net. This will prevent injury and relieve fear.
• Physical culture: in this sport, the load on the body is distributed evenly, all muscle groups, without exception, work. At the same time, coordination, endurance and agility develop.
• Thinking: in this sport you cannot simply train yourself for one type of activity; each distance requires the climber to come up with a strategy and find an original and quick solution to the problem. Thus, intelligence and ingenuity develops.
• Communication: Most often, distances are completed in a team rather than individually. You need to act together, be able to trust the team and support the team. Since athletes go through difficulties together, with the help of rock climbing, a child will quickly and easily find new friends and improve communication skills.

Children love to climb garages, construction sites, and trees, which is very dangerous. For this reason, it is preferable to send your child to rock climbing, where safety comes first. Strong, reliable and certified insurance is used, and all equipment is regularly checked and monitored. Classes are conducted only by experienced trainers who have received the appropriate permits.

At what age do classes start?

Lasagne is one of the basic functions human body, along with running. Therefore, for full training it is enough for the child to be aged five years. For younger children, as reported in an interview by the director of the Limestone climbing wall A.M. Kozhemyakin, create special groups rock climbing.

Photo 1. Children climbing in a special room with a low lifting height and large bright holds.

Children 2-4 years old develop gross motor skills and gradually become familiar with this sport. IN adolescence you can also start rock climbing, this will lead to healthy image life and will strengthen physically boys and girls.

Climbing equipment. Cloth

To begin with, your child will need regular sportswear.

For top:

• T-shirt— It’s better not to wear a T-shirt, as the harness rubs the skin.
• Trowel— if classes take place outdoors, it is advisable to wear it so as not to freeze.

For bottom:

• Sweatpants- select a stretchy material that will not restrict movement.

Important! The fabric should “breathe” and stretch well.

Subsequently you will need special clothing for rock climbing. Its difference is that the fabric is sewn in a special way; when bending the limbs, it does not need to be stretched. Such clothes are more comfortable and do not restrict the child’s movement.

Shoes

Climbing shoes are an important attribute for an athlete. The choice of “climbers” must be taken seriously. Don't chase expensive and professional models. A block that is too hard will be uncomfortable and the child simply will not enjoy the training.

When choosing climbing shoes, it is worth remembering that their structure is specially designed in such a way that fingers were gathering, and shoes fixed my leg. The optimal version of climbing shoes is not too tight, but not too loose.

Important! Many “experienced” people say to take shoes a couple sizes smaller. Do this not worth it. If you're not used to it, it will cause severe discomfort and rub your feet.

The purchase is made after trying on, the shoes are selected in size. Shoes should fit tightly without causing pain.

How do children's training work?

Climbing training usually takes place in three stages:

• On first Students are given basic knowledge of technology. Correct positions are developed and safety techniques are mastered. Students do not rise above two meters. The stage lasts 2-4 months.
• On second stages they teach a simple climb with rappelling, new movements are mastered. She also takes from 2 to 4 months, depending on the child’s learning ability and results.
• Third stage includes more serious training. New routes and advanced techniques are being mastered. Done emphasis on general physical training (general physical training) and SPP (special physical training).

For the little ones exist separate groups, in which children are taught the basics. They develop gross motor skills and are introduced to the climbing wall and holds. As a result, their commonality is strengthened physical development. At the same time, kids never get bored, because many climbing walls have funny and interesting colored holds that children look at with interest.

Clothing for outdoor activities - whether just going out of town, climbing in the mountains or a multi-day hike - is subject to the principle of multi-layering or, in other words, the theory of three layers. In its classic form, it looks like this: first, thermal underwear is put on a naked body, insulated clothing is placed on top of it, for example, fleece or a thin down or synthetic jacket, and on top is a membrane jacket that protects from rain and wind. And the same with the lower half of the body. If necessary, all this is complemented by a more impressive down jacket.

Three layers of clothing

1. First layer: thermal underwear made of wool or synthetics. This is the base layer, it allows the skin to breathe and removes excess moisture from the body. Thermal underwear is worn on a naked body and should fit snugly, but not press or cause discomfort. Therefore, it is advisable to try on thermal underwear before purchasing. Thermal underwear quickly absorbs odors, so it should be regularly ventilated and washed, but not ironed.
2. Middle layer: fleece, synthetic or down. This clothing retains heat by forming a layer of air around the body, but at the same time, like thermal underwear, it must have the property of breathability, that is, allow the excess moisture that our body releases to evaporate out. There may be several insulation materials depending on weather conditions.
3. Top, protective layer. These are membrane clothing, for example, the most famous GoreTex membrane. The membrane does not allow wind, snow and rain to pass through from the outside, but at the same time it allows excess moisture to evaporate, allowing the body to “breathe” under clothing. For example, a polyethylene raincoat also protects from rain, but in it you will instantly feel the greenhouse effect. Membrane jackets and trousers, despite all the myths, can be washed, and it is advisable to regularly treat them with special impregnations.

• How and where choose clothes for climbing and mountaineering (from socks and shoes to glasses and down jackets),
• what to pay attention to upon purchase, as well as
• what are there inexpensive alternative options... And even -
• what you can sew yourself, and what can you do without? on the climb (and don't spend money)...

Introduction. Why do climbers need so many different clothes? for all occasions?

The first thing that becomes incomprehensible to a beginner in mountaineering is: why do you need several pairs of thermal underwear, gloves, socks, different hats (warm and not so warm)?

The fact is that in the mountains you will experience different weather conditions for several hours.

For example:

• you start from the base camp (for example, from Azau on Elbrus) in May: sun, +25, hot, no breeze. And we begin to walk along a wide dirt road. After 3-4 hours we arrive at the Mir station: there is already wet snow, the temperature +5, there is a breeze, which is just waiting to blow your sweaty body and leave you with a common cold for several days, canceling out all further training and ascent.

• Next we go upstairs for ice lessons. Let's go out in the morning, 0 degrees, but there is a breeze- you need to close yourself so that it doesn’t blow, for example, your neck, lower back, ears, head.
  As we walk, the sun flares up, reflects off the snow, and becomes +10. We reach the Pastukhov rocks: a rocky ridge hides us from the wind, and also covers us with a small cloud - we are in a yellow fog, temperature +20, very hot- you need to take off excess clothes, take off your hat; the sun is not visible, but, in fact, it is scattered in this fog, and without sunscreen we will burn.
  We rise a little higher, there the wind drives away the fog, and we immediately need to get dressed, because +5 and wind.
  After some time, leaving the protection of the Pastukhov rocks, we find ourselves in a drafty place, the temperature -10, wind, we get dressed again, exchange the thin hat for one that is warmer, and hide our hands in thin gloves in the tops. And if a cloud covers us here, then we will find ourselves in a real blizzard!
  We go back, go down a little, and blizzard gradually turns into rain- lower temperatures are higher, and the snow turns into water on its way to the ground. We change into waterproof clothes, hide our backpacks under waterproof covers so as not to return downstairs with a bucket of wet things in our backpack.

• By the way, ah the ascent itself even in summer, for example, it can start at night at -5, continue higher at -20 with wind, at the top there will be sun, -15, and strong wind, when descending from the top the temperature will gradually rise to +20, instead of snow there will be a dirt road, and we will go down to the base camp when the sun is setting and there will be green grass around, but +5, because it’s evening.

Yes, mountaineering includes endless dressed-undressed-dressed-changed. This is the ability to feel any cooling or over-warming of any part of the body and immediate response to this to prevent possible problems in the near future. This is the ability, with the movement of a fakir, to snatch the necessary piece of clothing from a backpack from behind the back, and put it on without stopping and without taking off the backpack!

This understanding what order you should be dressed in, which layer of clothing goes after which, so that either, taking off extra layers, like cabbage, to walk in the heat, or, throwing on the necessary layers for insulation, walking with pleasure and comfort through a snowstorm.

What to buy? Should I buy it?

The modern professional clothing industry has advanced incredibly over the past decades. Soviet mountain climbers went up in felt boots and padded jackets, which, when wet, became very heavy - several kilograms of additional weight! And climbers of those years died very often because they simply froze in such clothes. Or they overcooled in cotton sleeping bags, which, even when dry, were much heavier than modern down ones, and warmed much worse.

Modern manufacturers have undoubtedly made the climber’s life much easier. Clothes and sleeping bags are now so warm and light that, with the right equipment and proper behavior in the mountains in the summer at altitudes of up to 6,000 meters, it will be very, very difficult to simply freeze. And in programs for beginner climbers (to receive the Russian Mountaineer Badge) - it’s generally impossible (we don’t take beginners to extreme conditions).

We start from the fact that many of our participants are going to the mountains for the first time. Most people think that this is the only time... Ah, looking at the price tags on professional clothes- breathtaking even for experienced climbers!

In this case it seems to us that optional to buy many very expensive professional things for one time, if

1. can be taken to rental the same thing for little money, or
2. buy(albeit of lower quality) analogues
3. find for a couple of weeks by friends and acquaintances
4. and even something sew it yourself.

Point 1, RENTAL: we calculate the cost of rental, estimate how many times we may need this thing in life. We have written about each thing below, whether it is applicable in ordinary life, or is it a purely professional item that will take up space on the shelf 11 months a year.

Point 2, ANALOGUES. With analogues we do this: we go to a professional, expensive store, that’s it we feel consult with the seller, making a list, and then looking for the same thing in markets, or in cheaper stores (even with crooked seams).

Point 3, FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES. Climbing takes place in the summer, and some of the things from your ski wardrobe, for example, your friends won’t need until the coming winter. There is no conflict of interest. Another option is to ask everyone you know if there is a climber. There are few climbers, they usually respect each other, although they may be afraid that you will lose something, break it, ruin it...

More, according to our programs

Thin thermal underwear

This is your “second skin” in the mountains. You will walk around in it all the time - put it on yourself in the morning, put some clothes on top depending on external conditions, and off you go. It will remove excess moisture (sweat) from the body, and you will always be dry, warm and comfortable. It will always be useful in life, and will not be demolished! You definitely need to buy one set for yourself!

1 set top and bottom.

Professional thermal underwear can be washed in a machine for several years almost every day, and it will be like new (you can go jogging or go outdoors in it).

Alternatively, you can look for thermal underwear in regular markets, it will be several times cheaper. The mountains will forgive you for crooked seams. And when the seams come apart, sew them together with a needle and thread.

Thermal underwear average

Roughly, there are 3 gradations of thermal underwear: thin, medium, thick. Here we need middle option. We need thermal underwear for active sports - it removes sweat from the body (we don’t need the opposite option - for fishing, for example. And thick thermal underwear is used only for winter ascents). The latest developments are thermal underwear made of wool with polar - it is especially pleasant for the body.

And below is a lower-cost option:

And the most inexpensive alternative, confirmed by climbers of the Soviet era (for example, for climbing Elbrus from the beginning of May to September inclusive) - thin thermal underwear, a fleece jacket, and a down jacket on top... So we consider a fleece with thin thermal underwear an alternative to warm thermal underwear...

Fleece sweater

Fleece, polartec-200. You can use a fleece jacket - it is more convenient because you can sometimes unbutton it and not take it off, but look for one with a high neck.

Fleece is as warm as wool, but at the same time soft, pleasant to the touch, hardly wrinkles, dries quickly, and can be washed easily and repeatedly.

Polartec 200 (this is also fleece) is almost weightless and retains body heat perfectly (for example, it is twice as warm as sheep’s wool). Unlike wool, it does not accumulate, but rather wicks excess moisture (your sweat) away from the body as you move, keeping you comfortable.

Insulated socks (wool or polar)

Again, if some of them get wet (and not necessarily from rain or wet snow - for example, our feet sweat too!), we change into spare, dry clothes. Wet socks steam the skin of your feet (what it’s like after a bath, remember?), the skin becomes tender, and any friction on the shoes causes abrasions and blisters that will not allow you to go further. You will immediately turn into a visual aid for training in transporting the victim...

Socks Boreal TREK MERINO GRAY B665, 1,170 RUR, you can have these.

Socks BASK PSS-SOCKS, RUR 1,000, - especially recommended (see below)

Alternatively - just wool, but thin (from fine wool, but thick) socks.

Warm socks extra
for climbing Elbrus

Alternatively- We put on ordinary “polaras” on simple socks. There is no need to buy these socks a size larger than others, they stretch themselves.

Great alternative option- thin socks + “basques” from the previous example.

Warm woolen or down socks
for sleeping in the mountains

They will always be waiting for you in your tent/house. Clean and dry. In the mountains you will understand what a special happiness it is to put on dry and clean underwear and socks at night. 1 pair.

Look for grandmothers' knitted ones at the market :))

Hygienic lipstick

Not only girls will need it, but also men, no options! Pharmacies sell hygienic lipsticks - they are colorless, it is better to buy medicinal ones. In the mountains, your lips are constantly dry (the humidity around you is different), you just need to lick your lips once (drink tea in the wind) and voila - a very painful crack will prevent you from smiling and talking, and will spoil your mood every minute (but your pursed lips and attempt to preserve a stone face will constantly make others laugh and provoke them to tell jokes). But you won't be laughing at all! Moreover, if further measures are not taken in the form of medicinal lipstick, the situation will only worsen, and you will come down from the ascent with lips of the most terrible kind (cut and almost ulcerated).

In addition to healing, look at the UF filter, if possible, take lipstick with sun protection. You can look for it in any cosmetic stores or in pharmacies. An ordinary hygienic one (without a therapeutic effect and without solar filters) will also do.

Sun cream in a small tube
at least 30 defensive units

Your face will be in the open sun all the time, and in the mountains the ultraviolet is much harsher than below. In the snow, the sun generally reflects from everywhere, even the bottom of the chin and the tips of the ears, protruding from under the hat, sunbathe! You will tan anyway, no matter how much you hide from the sun. And without the cream, you will just burn like firebrands, it will hurt, your face will burn, you will have trouble sleeping at night, there will be no joy left in life. Therefore, in the morning, immediately after washing (wiping with snow), we apply cream.

Factor SPF 50- generally good (this one is often labeled as “for children” - they run around in the sun for hours).

We don't need big tubes take a small one because you will only need to smear your face (maybe your hands).

Important for girls who don’t want to have a ski tan in the summer (in vain, of course, because your face will be a walking advertisement for your “feat” and a reason to tell everyone about it!)... So, if you absolutely don’t want to have marks from your hat on forehead and from glasses (masks) on the face - then look for a cream from tanning cream or cream against tanning or cream barrier from sunburn.

Locally, in the Elbrus region (at least until recently), they sell not the most aesthetic cream, similar to foundation"Ballet" from the Soviet Union. If you don’t remember this, then imagine a mixture of clay and Vaseline... Therefore, it’s better to look for it and bring the cream with you...

Cheaper options

In addition to markets, sports and fishing stores, "Sportmaster", you can also look at the "" store - participants of our 6th and 7th shifts in 2017 found a puff jacket there for 10,000 rubles. and many other useful things!

Update from 11.2017: however, some of the participants after the program decided not to save on such things anymore...

20% discount on clothing and equipment

For our program participants The manufacturing company "BASK" offers a 20% discount on clothing and equipment (in the Moscow store and when ordering through the website on the Internet). The company has 2 websites: bask.ru and baskcompany.ru, and many stores throughout the country. We ask our participants Request discount codes from us.

Bring regular clothes

Look through the list in advance - if something is missing, you will need to buy it in time!

Thin socks

It is not always possible to wash socks upstairs. There is often no water there, and still wet socks may simply not dry. There may also be bad weather that will not allow you to dry your socks for several days. 4 pairs are usually enough. These are your regular socks that you wear in everyday life. The only thing is that we don’t take short ones (up to the ankle, like “footprints”)! Need socks just above the ankle.

Cotton shirt or T-shirt with long sleeves

People wear it everywhere on the way: either wearing it only (where it’s warm), or putting it on top of their thermal underwear. The raised collar of the shirt covers your neck from the sun (unlike a T-shirt), and the sleeves cover your arms so as not to get burned. You will sit in it in the evening near the fire, or in a cafe.

2 pieces: better 1 shirt, 1 T-shirt.

Hat (fleece)

Unlike the windblock one, it is thinner, ordinary, blown by strong winds, and suitable for low temperatures. A necessary thing in life, you probably have one in your wardrobe. Will be needed for the entire duration of the program.

It will cost much less in clothing markets.

Shawl (panama hat or cap)

Will be needed in the camp and on preparatory classes down. There is a lot, a lot of sun in the mountains! Without a hat, we'll get heatstroke.

T-shirt and shorts

In the base camp during the day in summer it is usually +20+25.

Need 1 set.

Swimsuit or swimming trunks

You will need them for a sauna, for swimming under a waterfall, maybe for sunbathing. Take it!

Lingerie set
for hiking and sleeping

Need 3 sets. Again, for those cases when it is not possible to wash/dry. For example, in the mountains we can get so hot that we sweat down to our underpants. When we arrive for the night, it’s already cold, and, for example, it’s drizzling outside. How to dry underwear? And here a spare set will save us.

Special climbing clothing:
buy or rent

Why rental? The cost of a new one is stinging, and it will be especially a shame if, already in the process of using it, you realize that what you bought is not at all what you need... Many of our participants specifically rent clothes in order to “feel” them in use, and upon returning competently choose what you need in the store (just mountaineering is addictive... After one peak there will be another)...

The cost of everything listed below in this section (as of 11.2017) is from 120,000 rubles. The cost of the entire package in our rental is up to 30,000 rubles. on 2-week programs, up to 40,000 on 3-week programs. Rental works only for participants of our programs. There are discounts on rentals for early payment, as well as on the programs themselves.

If you rent a package of climbing clothing from us and don’t have time, you don’t have to read any further...

The rental price already takes into account what and how many days you will use (double boots, for example, only on Elbrus, and a jacket and membrane trousers - all days).

Our rental is issued in one package (everything that is indicated in this section of special mountaineering clothing); for now, only double boots can be rented separately.

If you already have much of the rental package specified, then you will only be able to “get” something “in bulk” at local (third-party) rental stores. We list the average prices for Elber rentals on this page below.

Important! There are no rentals in Digoria! (it used to be, but it was... taken away).

Jacket without insulation with a hood for protection from rain and wind. Better - membrane

The membrane is a fabric consisting of 3 layers (it removes sweat from the body through microscopic holes, but does not let rain in - the drop is larger than the size of the holes and is not blown by the wind).

In ordinary city jackets in the mountains, at the most unexpected moment, the zippers “stick” (fabric gets caught in the “zipper”), the pockets in them are narrow - mittens, you can’t quickly put glasses in them, they still let water through the seams and become heavy...

We need a gore-tex type jacket, this is a bologna type fabric. This is your blotter cloth when it rains. This jacket should be 1 size larger than your usual size so that it can be easily worn over both a down jacket and other clothes. It doesn’t matter what temperature it will be at, the main thing is that it is waterproof and windproof.

It can be without insulation at all(only the outer layer of waterproof fabric), the main thing is protection from rain.

You will need such a jacket (if you buy it later) later in nature. Especially if it is without insulation and is a size larger. In summer you can throw it on from the rain (and it won’t be hot), in winter you can throw it over your clothes from the wind. Often she lives in ordinary life in a car with an umbrella, in the summer they threw it over a jacket and went out into the rain, in the fall they threw it over a fur coat and went out into the wet snow.

Rental costs about 400 rubles/day, it is needed for all days of the program.

Just in case: a raincoat, for example, is only suitable for walking below, it is not suitable for climbing (if there is wind, it will begin to “sail”, block your view and get in the way, and your hands will be busy with an ice ax...).

9,000 rubles, - this is, in fact, a raincoat, the breathability is ordinary... But it is very compact, and stylish thing for life.

Jacket BASK GRAPHITE GELANOTS, RUR 19,000, breathes better, water resistance is better than the previous version. For those who plan to use such a jacket a lot in life.

The fabric of a good jacket is soft and feels like regular fabric, but try to blow it through - it won’t work!

In our rentals, we mainly use jackets with parameters of 20,000 water resistance and 20,000 vapor removal from the body. Steam output of 5,000 is not enough, on a warm day you will sweat from the inside...

There are alternatives for 1,500-2,000 rubles in fishing/hunting stores (even for a jacket + trousers set). But they will still get wet in the rain, and because they are “non-breathable”, if you sweat, you yourself will get wet. But, on the whole, they will complete their task.

Membrane trousers
for protection from rain and wind

These are not insulated pants! Ideally - from membrane fabric to a jacket like the one described above.

What's the point: you're going to run errands in the mountains (for example, to the library), it's hot, you're wearing thin pants. And then the rain comes. Take these membrane trousers and throw them directly on top of your pants! Since they are not insulated, it is not hot to walk in them, but the rain rolls off them, and your feet remain dry. The rain is over - you take them off right in front of everyone, and, voila - you are left in your regular pants!

Then we go climbing along the glacier. We are already wearing thermal underwear, regular, “running” trousers, and in our backpack we have membrane trousers. The higher we rise, the lower the temperature, the wind blows, and it becomes cool. And again we grab our magic trousers from our backpack, put them on top, and the wind stops penetrating to our feet! It becomes warm, although there is such a thin, seemingly additional layer of fabric on top. These trousers are really so expensive...!!! But they justify themselves! Try them at our rental, and you will understand what a convenient thing they are! Simply irreplaceable in the mountains!

These trousers will also come in handy later in nature (for example, when fishing - throw them right over your trousers from above, and you won’t get wet).

Self-throwers and semi-self-throwers are an order of magnitude more comfortable than regular pants. You can throw them on yourself and throw them off right along the way, pausing a little. In ordinary pants you have to cook until the very camp, or until the rest stop, which occurs every 40-60 minutes (and remember - temperatures there can vary greatly every 15 minutes?). You can put on both self-resets and semi-resets without taking off your shoes! This is important in the mountains.

Semi-self-resets are more convenient than self-resets in that you don’t have to try to get the lock into the zipper in the wind, and you don’t have to keep your belt open in the wind while you tighten the Velcro. The latter, by the way, hold up worse over time...

Overalls are better than regular pants. Pants with straps (over the shoulders) are better than pants without straps.

Rental: trousers - 300 rubles/day, membrane trousers - 400. They are needed for all days of the program...

6,500 rub.

15,000 rubles, there are no self-resetters on sale yet (as of July 27, 2017), only semi-self-resetters...

or you can use these semi-self-resets:

Or - fishing and hunting shops (as described above).

Gloves suitable for working with climbing rope

These can be easily replaced with cheap off-white construction and utility gloves (preferably without blue pimples). Take several pairs. They are good for training on the easy (small, don't be afraid!) rocks below.

Warm, windproof gloves, suitable for working with climbing rope

We need these at altitudes up to 4,000 m, where there is snow, ice and wind. See the “windblock” mark - these do not allow wind and water to pass through.

Option - ordinary woolen gloves (or such

2,000 rub. or

1,300 rubles, and on top the tops are made of windproof fabric. BUT! There is a better option!

Mittens

Size for a gloved hand, with elastic bands for attaching to the wrist (waterproof).

Their necessity depends on what kind of windproof gloves you purchased...

Insulated mittens (down/synthetic)
on a gloved hand (top)

They are only needed for climbing. That is, we put on our gloves, and on top we also put on mittens! Then your hands will definitely not freeze, even if during the ascent (and we start at night!) it may be −20° with wind for several hours.

Fur mittens cannot be used in mountaineering! The fur gets wet and later turns into a terrible piece of ice.

The mittens we need can be rented for 5-6 days, they cost about 150 rubles. per day.

Advice from an experienced Soviet climber: instead of all the gloves, you can take 2 pairs of construction gloves, 1 warm woolen mittens (a little looser in size, not too tight) and white canvas “overalls” for windproofness. The combination of these 3 options will also solve all problems, at a cost of up to 500 rubles. for everything.

Construction gloves get windy (and don't always fit). But wool, even wet, warms, and “tarpaulins” are windproof. You can't belay with woolen gloves (holding the rope - it will slip in your hands), but wearing canvas gloves on top - you can.

Important! You will have to take off and put on canvas mittens very often. For convenience, you definitely need to sew rings made of regular elastic on them., so that they can be thrown off the hand, and they continue to dangle on the wrists (so as not to endlessly put them in/out of pockets). Another option is to sew an elastic band about half a meter long onto them so that you can pass it through the clothes (remember, in kindergarten Did our mothers do this to us so that we wouldn’t lose our mittens?). But simple rings are more convenient (the mittens can be easily hidden when they are no longer needed).

Cap (polar, windblock)

Small, dense, it is not blown by the wind. How to check that the fabric is windproof, even though it looks like regular fabric? Try to blow through this fabric with your own lips, unlike ordinary ones - you will not blow through this fabric.

We need her for a couple of days for the climb. In non-climbing life it is rarely used (on the ski slopes in harsh winters), so you can rent it for 5-6 days (although rentals are not always available). But an alternative option is a thick woolen hat + a puff hood for windproofness on top (but muffles sounds from outside).

Face mask (balaclava)
for protection from strong winds

You can also ask your friends, especially skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobile enthusiasts. We just don’t need a thin summer one. As a last resort, you can replace it with fleece, but windblock fabric is better.

It will only be needed for climbing. And it’s not a fact that you will need it! But if the weather demands her presence, then it will become difficult to live without her: there may be a wind of 100 km/h for several hours at a temperature of -20 with dry, cutting snow that cuts your face...

Rental costs about 100 rubles/day, it is needed for 1-2 days, but since all the rentals are far below (half a day's journey one way), you will need to rent for the entire 5-6 days of being on the slopes.

Fleece balaclavas are everywhere, incl. in fishing shops.

Down jacket with hood
(down jacket for mountaineering)

The first question is - why a down jacket? Why can't it just be a ski track?

The ski jacket is very heavy (although you didn’t notice it before), the weight comes from the zipper, zipper, pockets, and it has a heavy and difficult to bend outer windproof fabric. And a ski jacket does not warm, but only protects well from the wind: it is designed for active movement, when you need to remove sweat from the body.

But the down provides warmth, while the fabric of the down jacket is windproof. The down jacket is very light, does not restrict movement, and allows you to move completely freely. And she takes up very little space in your backpack, is compacted into a small “bun”, with a volume of about 4 women’s fists (look how much space your ski jacket takes up). In principle, a necessary thing in life (except for residents of the south, perhaps), because even city residents sometimes go out into nature in winter (for example, for barbecue, fishing), and in the city in the cold winter it will be very helpful. Everyone will jump in the cold (for example, while taking a New Year outside), and you will be warm and comfortable.

Returning to mountaineering, at altitudes of about 5,000 meters you need a powder puff. For Elbrus we need the middle one, approximately -20°.

You don’t need a -40° jacket on Elbrus in the summer (not on winter climbs), otherwise you’ll end up a boiled climber! We don't need down shirts (the other extreme) either!

By the way, regarding the puff on −40°... This is marketing excess! Of course, the manufacturer will be happy if you buy two, or even better, four puffs from him! So, it can easily withstand temperatures of −40° puff at -20°, you just won’t have 3, but 4 layers of clothing. If you come with us to an altitude of 7,000 meters, or to any winter ascent, we will clearly tell you about it.

Small conveniences in a mountaineering puff: an internal pocket that will keep the battery on your mobile phone(or walkie-talkie), a ribbon with a button or a button connecting the back and front lower parts of the jacket (between the legs) so that it does not blow during a snowstorm (and does not ride up during sleep) and inner half mittens that are stowed inside, and when When necessary, they are put on your hands, and it becomes very warm, because there is no air blowing inside. But there should be no external pockets, or they should be closed with valves: so that snow does not fall in and you do not cling to rock ledges with them.

However, if we take into account the cost of this “anti-freeze”, then... rental of a puff on Elbrus costs on average 350 rubles/day, we will need it for 1-6 days. But we remember that the rentals are far below, we won’t be able to run there, so we take a puff for all the days of our stay on the slopes of Elbrus.

Alternative: any down jacket (it was from climbers and polar explorers that they once came into everyday life). It is important that the seams in the jacket should not be “cold”, this means end-to-end: that is, there should be a layer of down under or above each seam. As in construction, the bricks are laid “overlapping”, overlapping the seams.

Down should only come from waterfowl: eider, swan, duck, goose (given in descending order of quality and price). Chicken fluff will not work! It cakes, and as soon as it gets wet, you can throw the thing away (after drying, we will get pieces of caked cotton wool inside the jacket). The down of waterfowl contains a little bit of water-repellent fat, due to which it does not cake (does not form into lumps, between which the cold will then penetrate), and after getting wet it dries and restores its properties.

The jacket should be below the butt, but above the knees: in emergency situation it will allow you to sit on it on stones, snow, and even in serious adventures you will be able to spend the night in a tent in it.

In Soviet times, climbers sewed their own jackets, one cost 800 grams. duck down (and even less swan or eider).

Double climbing boots

To successfully climb Elbrus and Kazbek, you need good mountain boots made of thick leather with a minimum of seams with a membrane (but then also shoe covers) or, which is more reliable, double-layer ones. Boots should be comfortable, worn in, waterproof, warm, and one size larger than usual to allow for an extra warm sock.

Why are they needed? double boots? For example, when climbing Mont Blanc, single boots are used - there are plenty of them there.

And double ones are a plastic shoe into which a second, soft and warm one is inserted. The fact is that Elbrus is very high, and there, at this altitude, it is very cold, in the summer it could well be -20 and an icy wind, and so within a few hours climbing. If your feet start to freeze - and good luck - rescue work is provided to the entire department. But we’re not going to Elbrus for such adventures, are we? And also (let’s take the most extreme, scary option), regardless of your desire, the situation may turn out to be such that you will have to spend the night on a slope in bad weather, without ever reaching the tent... The instructors will dig a snow cave, and in a down jacket you will be able to survive this night, but here it will be fundamentally important what kind of shoes you have on your feet.

If you have "very, very, very good single boots"...

In 90% of cases, such boots are not warm enough for Elbrus (the remaining 10% is when the weather is ideal, but it is customary for climbers to always prepare for the worst). If you go in single ones, then you need to buy and measure on a thick knitted wool sock (just not on a modern thick thermal sock). At the same time, the average-thick toe of the boot should be tightened with lacing and not “slack.” Perhaps, in this case, it is necessary to provide an additional insole. If such boots do not have the possibility of attaching hard crampons, then you can wear soft ones; for Elbrus, soft crampons are enough. That being said, you definitely need to buy shoe covers for extra warmth!

Another problem is that if these boots (essentially for heavy trekking) are worn with thick toes, then for the first 7 days of the training and acclimatization program (when it’s +15+25) they will be hot or loose on the leg. And if you take shoes of your size and tamp a thick sock into them on Elbrus, the blood flow in the foot will be disrupted, the leg will become numb and freeze. That is, buying 1 pair for all days (for all 2-3 weeks) on Elbrus (and Kazbek) will not work...

Back to the double boots.

Boots for climbing Elbrus are much warmer than heavy trekking ones, and do not get wet at all. These can be rented for 5-6 days. Why rent? Just because the price of new...

So, new ones in stores usually cost 25,000-65,000 rubles. Moreover, they take up a lot of space in luggage, and weigh almost 2 kilograms... The chance of not getting your size is also high (when trying on with warm socks, you need to walk up and down a special slide - carefully listening to the sensations so that nothing rests or rubs anywhere).

Renting good boots on Elbrus: 500-1,000 rubles. per day, you will need to take them for 5-6 days.

Shoe covers

Needed if you have very single warm boots(so inflexible, similar to ski ones, but simpler - without plastic). Shoe covers will be needed during snow activities and when climbing Elbrus - it is recommended to wear them over the boot to cover the entire boot, keep warm and protect the shoes from getting wet; they may be needed in the spring and autumn in the 1st week.

Shoe covers for rent at local rentals on Elbrus cost 150 rubles per day, we will need them for at least 5-6 days. Shoe covers are not needed if you have double boots.

Gaiters (“LANTERNS”) for shoes

“Flashlights for legs” - that’s what Soviet climbers called this item of clothing (it has nothing to do with light)! Gaiters are protection against water, snow and debris getting into the boot. What will happen without them? Walk 3 steps in deep snow (above the knee) and you will get your boots full of snow (snow lies at altitudes of 3,100 meters). Having melted, it will get inside the shoes, and we will get wet feet, abrasions, calluses and the risk of frostbite... Regarding garbage - we walk where there are no paths and roads... Fine powder is crushed stone, sand - if you need to walk on it upstairs, then they strive to get into the shoe...

Rental in the Elbrus region: 100 rubles/day. Required for all days of the program.

Alternative!

If you have sewing machine, then you can sew “lanterns” yourself from light tarpaulin, parachute fabric or bologna. Or even simpler - from a thicker fabric: we cut off the trouser leg of old jeans, fold the cut edges and stitch it, you can do it by hand, without a machine, cut a hole, insert an elastic band, like on panties. You definitely need to sew a hook at the bottom in front to hook the gaiters to the lacing of your boots, then they definitely won’t lift up when walking on rough snow.

Mountaineering glasses with protection factor 4

There is a lot, a lot, a lot of sun in the mountains. Even before the snow, during the first acclimatization trips - imagine summer, lots and lots of blue sky, and a piercing sun on it! We sometimes forget this in office work, but even at base camp there will be plenty of sun. And on the pure, whitest snow above, which has never been touched by smog, soot, or car wheels, which is added little by little every few days with fresh and dazzling white snow - it is absolutely impossible without glasses.

Beach goggles don't suit us! You need special ones, glass or plastic, that do not transmit ultraviolet radiation. Mountaineering goggles have leather protection around the outer side of the lenses, and holes in this side skin (for ventilation), the holes should be oblique (not “holes” at right angles) - they do not give glare-dots to the glasses.

It's very good if the glasses will have nose protection: despite all the strongest sunscreens, it is the nose that burns in the sun first, and the skin on it then peels off.

There is no alternative! That's what, that's what You can't buy glasses on the market! If you have a limited budget, you can either rent one or look for climbing friends.

Ski goggles available ski mask - not suitable! It could well be +20 on the glacier! (exactly a plus!), your mask will fog up... Well, try sitting in a sauna wearing a ski mask to get the full picture...

Rental costs about 200 rubles/day, glasses are needed for all days.

Spare goggles or ski mask
with protection factor 4

Spare glasses are definitely needed, because yours (no matter how you take care of them) can get lost or break. An alternative option is to ask your friends - there will probably be skiers from whom you can borrow goggles or a mask for the duration of the trip.

It would be nice to take a spare mask as well - it will be indispensable if we get into a small snowstorm (imagine, it’s summer, and you’re sending SMS to your friends about the snowstorm :). But constantly using a mask (even on the slopes of Elbrus) is inconvenient, because it will be hot.

There are masks available for rental, 200 rubles/day (3-4 degree of protection). We will need it for 5-6 days.

Headlamp + spare batteries

It is better to buy - a useful thing for those who plan to sometimes go out into the countryside with an overnight stay. A flashlight also lives well in everyday life in the glove compartment of a car - if you need to look at the engine in the middle of the night, or kick someone else's cat out from under the car at night - that's where it comes in handy. It is also needed by runners while jogging, especially in autumn and winter, when it gets light late and dark early.

In the markets they cost from 100-300 rubles for a simple model. But in simple models Something quickly breaks, for example, plastic fastenings for elastic bands on the side - for example, when you pack a flashlight into a backpack and then sit on top to rest.

Rental costs about 100 rubles/day. You will need a flashlight for climbing days and for spending the night in a tent.

Additional information

Things that it is not necessary to have(we will provide), but if you are buying for yourself, then pay attention to this:

Backpack (men's 80-90 l., women's 70 l.)

Definitely with a rigid back, a wide belt with a fastener, height-adjustable straps, comfortable! Check that all the fasteners (fasteners) work, the zippers are closed, and the seams are intact. The backpack must have mounts for trekking poles and an ice ax (these are loops on the outside of the backpack).

It would be nice if there was also rain protection on the backpack.

Footwear for high altitude mountaineering

Such shoes are required for climbers from about the 2nd sports category, that is, for beginners they are definitely not needed (and they will not need another 2-3 years of mountaineering). These shoes are designed for mountaineering at very high altitudes (for example, for mountains 7,000 meters high, or for lower mountains, but for winter ascents, where temperatures drop below 40, or even 60 degrees!). Such shoes are used at extremely low temperatures (as on Everest, for example) and on technically difficult terrain. These boots are taller, the material is more rigid, and a crampon welt is required. These shoes also weigh more than regular mountain shoes. The sole is rigid, almost unbending, especially for hard crampons (“automatic” crampons - such crampons are used mainly on a vertical ice wall).

No way no need to buy high-altitude shoes for “beginner” programs! We will not climb vertical ice walls, but walking in such shoes will be much harder for you: try tying a plank to your feet and walking without your foot bending. Add here the fact that the shoes are designed for -40 degrees, and imagine what will happen to your feet at +20 (well, it’s like wearing a fur coat and a rubber swimming cap to the sauna). So we don’t need any additional complications, and don’t blindly believe everything they tell you in stores :)

If you are reading this article, then most likely you have already tried the wonderful sport of rock climbing. You have already taken the first trial lesson on your own or in a group and are now thinking about continuing training, but at a more serious level - with a trainer or in a group. Of course, in this case, you need to prepare for visiting the climbing wall more carefully and therefore the question: “what to wear?”, “what to choose?” becomes relevant.

During your first visit, you most likely followed the recommendations that were given by our instructors over the phone: comfortable, loose clothing, change of shoes, sneakers or sneakers. In principle, such a set is quite universal and will allow you to practice without any problems, but if you are used to treating your hobbies responsibly, and also keeping an eye on your appearance, wherever you are, then our recommendations will be useful and will help you choose the right equipment, clothes and shoes for climbing at the climbing wall.

What to wear?
So, the simplest thing is outerwear. Of course, to the climbing wall you can wear a regular T-shirt, top, tracksuit, loose sweatpants or shorts, in general, everything that you usually take with you to a fitness club. However, we advise you to pay attention to climbing clothes - they differ from ordinary sports suits in more durable fabric and a special cut: for example, the trousers are loose and have thickening in the knee area so that the climber can bend his legs without interference without stretching the material. Climbing T-shirts and tops are made from special breathable and quick-drying fabric, as it is very important to prevent hypothermia during training. Climbers spend a lot of time in the sun and fresh air, and it is necessary that the material of the T-shirts does not fade and retains its good appearance for a long time. By the way, about appearance– climbing clothing is probably the most colorful among all sports; many athletes enjoy wearing it outside the climbing wall.

The main thing is comfort!
Next - climbing shoes (sneakers, climbing shoes, etc.). This is one of the most important items in a climber’s wardrobe and should be chosen carefully. So, if you are a beginner, then you should not chase expensive, professional models, the peculiarity of the structure of the pads, the aggressiveness, which can cause more problems for inexperienced climbers than they bring benefits. When choosing your first sneakers, you should remember that climbing shoes are specially designed to bunch up your toes and at first the sensations can be very unusual, especially after loose “civilian” shoes. You should not choose a plus size until your toes are free - when climbing, such shoes will not allow you to place your foot correctly, and it will always bend in the toe and slide off. It’s also not worth following the advice of “experienced” people and trying to fit into a minus two size - at first this will cause unnecessary suffering and will not allow you to enjoy climbing. Choose slippers with a straight last, true to size (i.e. if you have 39, then ask for shoes of 39), that fit tightly, BUT without pain. Of course, you need to measure on your bare foot.

Famous white powder
Magnesia. Usually everyone has heard of it, but few have used it. This is a loose powder with a complex chemical formula 4MgCO3*Mg(OH)2*4H2O, intended for drying hands if they suddenly become sweaty. The choice of the type of magnesia and the manufacturer can be made after you try its different types - powder or liquid. The conveniences of powder include its low cost and ease of use - you just need to pour it into a bag. Liquid has exceptional drying properties, but it is quite difficult to use it hanging on a wall or rock.
It’s easy to choose a bag for magnesium powder: you need it to fit your hand up to your wrist, and its color should match your T-shirt)

We climb higher.
The next part of the equipment is used when climbing with a rope for difficulty, it includes: a belay system, it’s just a “system”, it’s also a “harness”, carabiners, a belay device, and quickdraws. When choosing this equipment, the main parameter that needs to be checked is compliance with safety requirements. Look for the CE and UIAA markings on them, they indicate that the equipment is certified and meets all international requirements.

Safety system
The system for beginners can be almost anything as long as it fits, but for reasons of convenience, make sure that the leg loops are one-piece, without buckles, and that the belt buckle is automatic, consisting of two halves through which the belt is threaded. Remember that with a properly selected system, the upper belt should be located above the hip bone and be higher than the waist! When buying a system in a store, ask if you can hang from it to avoid discomfort if used in a gym or on rocks.

Carbines

With carabiners, everything is simple - to start, you will need two large pear-shaped carabiners with a screw-on coupling. Of course, carbines must also be certified. The use of construction carabiners is NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Belay device
A belay device is a matter of personal preference for any climber, but you need to be able to handle at least the two most popular devices: a semi-automatic “Gri-Gri” device or a non-automatic “glass”. In any case, before use, you must carefully read the instructions, and when visiting a climbing wall, be sure to seek clarification and demonstration from an instructor!

Guys
Guys – for a beginning climber, the right decision would be to buy any budget (again, certified) set of guy ropes. They are usually sold in 5 or 10 pieces. For the first trip to the rocks, you may need from 10 to 20 quickdraws.

Conclusion
It is very difficult to cover all the subtleties of choosing this or that equipment in a short article. Of course, there are consultants in stores, but the best thing is to seek advice from Limestone climbing wall instructors, each of whom has extensive climbing experience and will be happy to advise you on the choice of the desired equipment.

Also on the territory of our climbing wall there is a small equipment store where you can purchase all the necessary equipment, from magnesium to climbing shoes and a safety system!

Thank you for your attention,
Limestone climbing wall team

If you are reading this article, then you have probably already tried your hand at rock climbing. In principle, this sport does not require a strict dress code. The main determining factor in choosing clothes for a climbing wall is...

How to dress for training at a climbing wall?

If you are reading this article, then you have probably already tried your hand at rock climbing. In principle, this sport does not require a strict dress code. The main determining factor in choosing clothing for a climbing wall is your comfort level. But if you decide to do this professionally, you should choose the appropriate clothing and equipment. When choosing a form for classes, it is best to follow the advice of an instructor-trainer. So what are these tips?

Climbing uniform: what should it be?

• Outerwear

Of course, when going to work out, you can take with you a regular T-shirt, tracksuit, top or leggings, which many of us take with us to the fitness room. Again, the main thing is that you feel comfortable and comfortable. But specialized clothing for mountaineers and rock climbers is still a little different from ordinary sports suits. First, climbing pants feature more durable fabric and a loose fit that doesn't restrict or restrict the athlete's movements. Secondly, t-shirts for climbing walls are made of special breathable and quick-drying fabric, which eliminates the risk of hypothermia during training. And, last but not least, the clothes of mountaineers and rock climbers are distinguished by bright colors and patterns; many athletes wear them with pleasure outside the climbing wall.

• Shoes

Surely, you have already noticed that many athletes training at the climbing wall wear very unusual shoes. Of course, you can be content with sneakers and sneakers, but professional climbing shoes affect the athlete’s comfort during training, and also allow him to learn all the basics and nuances of this sport much faster. Of course, you shouldn’t immediately chase the most expensive professional models. Also, remember that climbing shoes are designed to bunch your toes together and the sensations may be quite unusual at first. In no case should you take a size larger than yours, because as long as your toes are free, the shoes will only hinder your activities. It’s also not worth following the advice of more experienced people and fitting into a model two sizes smaller; at first, this will only cause discomfort and torment. Give preference to models with a straight last, the same size as regular shoes. Of course, if shoes cause pain, it is better to refrain from buying. And, of course, you need to try on shoes on your bare feet. Some centers provide such shoes for rent, but you must admit, this is not always pleasant.

• Safety system

In many centers, such systems are provided for rent or as part of a subscription, but it definitely won’t be superfluous to have your own insurance. For the most part, such systems are a semi-automatic “Gri-Gri” device or a non-automatic “glass”. Before using any of them, you should carefully study the instructions, or even better, seek help and advice from an instructor.

• Guys

These devices are usually sold in sets of 5.10 pieces. To get started, you can buy a couple of budget sets, since for the first trip to the rocks, most likely, you will need about 20 quickdraws.

• Magnesia

Like any other piece of equipment, this white powder, designed to dry your palms and thus provide a more secure grip, is usually provided at climbing gyms. They can also offer and purchase magnesia. In addition to the powder form, there is also liquid magnesia, but it is not so popular, given that the crumbly substance is cheaper and more practical. According to the standard, magnesia is poured into a special bag and always kept with you. Choosing a bag is also very simple: it is enough for your hand to fit freely into it up to the wrist.

Of course, it is difficult to collect all the subtleties and nuances in one article. With the experience and skills you gain, you will understand what you need and what is not at all necessary. Until then, feel free to ask your instructor for advice.

The most detailed information on the Internet about climbing walls can be found at the link skalodrom-prom.com on the company’s website