Outdoor sports: mountain and rock climbing terms

Outdoor sports: mountain and rock climbing terms

Mountaineering and rock climbing terms can be as foreign as another language if you are new to the sport. Here are the A to Z's in some of the terms you will use while participating in these exciting sports.
Mountaineering and rock climbing terms can be as foreign as another language if you are new to the sport. Here are the A to Z's in some of the terms you will use while participating in these exciting sports.

A; Abseil. Abseiling is a method that can be used to safely descend using a rope, also know as rappelling. The speed at which you descend is controlled by friction that the person descending by wrapping the rope around the body or with another mechanical friction device.

B; Belay. Belaying is the term used to describe managing a rope system where one person is protecting another while he is exposed on the face of the rock. The person belaying is able to stop the rope in the case of a fall.

C; Cams and chocks are mechanical wedges and devices that are used as protection. They come in many sizes and are placed in the crack of the rock with a quick draw and karabiner which is clipped to your rope.

D; Daisy Chain is a sling, usually made of nylon, that is tied or sewn strongly into numerous sections. They can be used to clip gear to, such as your quick-draws or cams.

E; Etriers is a ladder, sewn or tied, made from rope or nylon strapping. They are used when artificially climbing or aid climbing to step up to the next aid.

F; Fifi hook. The fifi hook function is somewhat like the daisy chain?s. You can use the fifi hook to quickly "hook" into a piece of placed protection to immediately protect yourself or rest. It is only a hook, and unlike the karabiner, when the draw is slack, the hook may come unseated from the protection.

G; Girth hitch. The girth hitch is an easily tied knot used to secure nylon webbing to a partially driven piton.

H; Hero loops. Used for aid climbing, hero loops are a short sling or tie off used in aid climbing. Usually ? inch webbing threaded through protection instead of a karabiner.

I; Ice axe. The ice axe is a basic tool which looks like a traditional axe. They vary in size and have a pick on one side an adze on the other. Used primarily for arresting falls on ice and snow and assisting the climber in vertical ice climbing.

J; Jamming or Jam is wedging your hands, feet, arms, knees and legs in the cracks of the rock to facilitate holds.

K; Karabiners (or Carabineers) are the universal method of managing rope systems while climbing. They are two basic shapes, oval or "D". However, there are many shapes that stem from those, pear-shaped, off-set "D" and bent gate. They are usually aluminum, alloy or steel. There are three types; Locking, lightweight and normal.

L; Leading or leader is the climber who climbs the pitch first.

M; Monkey hang. The monkey hang is an ice climbing technique used to overcome a bulge in the ice.

N; Nut is a general term used to describe the wedges used as protection, jammed in a crack with a quick-draw attached.

O; Overhangs and roofs describe climbing terrain where just as is sounds, is climbing horizontally, upside down. The rock could either be in a cave or a jutting out rock that is over-vertical.

P; Pitons or pegs are used as protection. It is driven into the rock securely and a girth hitch or karabiner is attached.

Q; Quick-draw was originally a trade name; however the name caught on and is now used to describe an extension or short sling. Usually made of nylon webbing with sewn loops at each end to facilitate a karabiner.

R; Rack. Your rack is all of your gear you are carrying for the climb. Usually organized on your harness, and slings or tied (rope) around your body.

S; Soloing is climbing without a rope for protection.

T; Twin rope is the term used to describe using two smaller ropes together as one rope for protection.

U; Undercling or undercut is an upside down hold and is usually more difficult to hold.

V; Verglas is the thin ice that forms on rocks from rain or melting snow is frozen.

W; Well protected, is the term used to describe a route that has more than sufficient protection and runners in place.

Y; Yosemite hoist is an assisted hoist used to haul up small loads. It consists of a karabiner or pulley attached above the load, a rope threaded through the pulley and tied to the load.

Z; Z pulley rescue system, or 3:1 pulley system allows a large mechanical advantage to the puller. Used to lift heavy loads such as an unconscious climber too safety.

If the Wedding Shoe Fits ?

If the Wedding Shoe Fits ?

Bride's Guide to Choosing the Right Wedding Shoes

You have the dress, the veil, the jewelry, even the right underwear for your wedding, but what are you missing? The right wedding shoes can mean the difference between bliss and blisters, radiance or a ripped hem. Not every wedding shoe is right for your wedding, no matter how cute. Choosing the right wedding shoes requires a lot of considerations including season, groom height, wedding dress style, color and length of the dress, cost, wedding formality, fit, construction, length of time and location of venue, and bridal preference.

Wedding shoes should always be coordinated with the hem and base of the gown rather than the bodice or veil.

If satin shoes are preferred, it is important to remember that almost all satin wedding shoes are too white to match wedding gown fabric and must be dyed to properly coordinate.

Be sure to budget plenty of money toward wedding shoes. They are an important accessory.

Proper wedding shoe fit is essential due to the fact that receptions and weddings are typically lengthy events involving a lot of time on your feet. Shoes that are too big will result in tripping. Wedding Shoes that are too small might ache your feet after a day of standing.

Maintaining seasonal guidelines is still essential, especially on your big day. Winter is no time to wear sandals.

Purchase two types of wedding shoes, specifically with a comfortable pair for your reception if you plan on a lot of dancing.

Select a heel size that compliments your groom so that you are at the right height for photographs. Be sure to have your gown hemmed with your heel height in mind.

Whites vary. Don't guess. Be sure to carry a swatch of your gown while wedding shoe shopping.

For ultra-formal gowns, choose classy wedding shoes instead of clunkers.

Purchase shiny wedding shoes to match shiny wedding gowns, matte boca shoes to match matte gowns.

Be careful when choosing Lucite or vinyl wedding shoes for the glass slipper look. They can make your feet sweat and cause blistering if the fit or form is improper for your feet.

Be sure if you choose a sandal that the fit is taut enough to not cause too much give. It can cause your dress to get trapped between your wedding shoe and gown, resulting in gown damage or tripping.

Break in your wedding shoes for several weeks prior to the wedding day, but be sure not to get them dirty.

Choose a wedding shoe that will not bring attention to itself. You don't want to wear shoes that incline guests to stare at your feet. When in doubt, choose a more simplified shoe.

Shop for wedding shoes later in the day when your feet are slightly swollen.

Add special traction pieces to the bottoms of your wedding shoes for safety or hand-scuff sole surfaces to prevent you from slipping while you walk.

Be sure to coordinate embellishments with your gown. If you have rhinestones or crystals in your gown, you might choose to put rhinestones or crystals on your shoes. If you have pearls on your bodice, perhaps you will want pearls on your shoes as well.

Let your wedding shoes fit your personality. If you want white boots, buy white boots. Just be sure to consider all of the other aspects of wedding shoes when selecting them.

Think out your wedding shoes well. Stay focused and don't over-do it. If your gown is at a length that will keep your feet hidden, spending a large chunk of your wedding budget on shoes is not necessary.

If you want ultra comfort and classic style, think satin ballet slippers.

Don't wear someone else's concept of the perfect wedding shoes. Use your heart and your head without being forced into buying unwanted shoes by that bridal boutique consultant, your matron of honor, or your mom.

Remember, your wedding shoes are an essential part of your wedding wardrobe. Be sure to keep in mind your budget, accessories, and desires. In addition, consider helping your groom select his shoes if he is not renting them from the tux shop. Some of the same considerations come to mind in choosing the right wedding shoes for your husband-to-be, an activity he may not have thought about. With careful shoe consideration, your feet can look fabulous without aching by the time you get to your honeymoon.