Need To Know - The most frequently asked question und the answers

What does 'bouldering' mean?
Bouldering is climbing without beeing belayed with a rope, to a hight in which it still is safe to jump down. Bouldering is often very acrobatic and is used for training purposes. In the meantime it has established as an own discipline in climbing and bouldering walls are used in school sport, therapy and public areas.


Are there different valuations for climbing a route?
Redpoint: To lead a climb without falling or dogging after a number of attempts. The term „redpoint“ was established from Kurt albert, who used to paint red points on to the routes in the „Frankenjura“ which he managed to climbed “redpoint”.

Pinkpoint: To red-point a climb where the protections and runners have been pre-placed.

Onsight: Leading a climb with no falls and no dogging and without any prior attempts, watching someone do it or beta on how to do the moves.

Flash: To lead a climb with no falls or dogging and with no previous attempts on the climb. Two variations exist: the onsight flash (where the climber has never seen the climb before) and the beta flash (where the climber has studied the climb before or has seen someone do the climb). 
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Which are the different ratings?
The rating of a climb is a subjective indication of the technical difficulty of the route or pitch to which it applies. There are different free climbing rating systems that are in use around the world. Most frequently used are the UIAA- scale (from 2 up to 11) and the french scale (4a - 9a). Bouldering has its own scale, mostly the Fontainebleau-scale is used here (4a - 8c).
also see: table of rating systems


What does 'freeclimbing' mean?
Freeclimbing is a form of climbing, where only natural holds and footholds are used for locomotion. Rope and hooks may only be used for belaying. “Free”climbing therefore has nothing to do with climbing without a rope or belay.


Why do I need Chalk?
Chalk is used to dry your sweaty fingers and have better grip on the holds. It is carried in a special chalkbag.


How does that with the climbing holds and routes work?
Climbing holds are detachable or fixed elements, which give place to put your foot on or to hold on to. There are a wide variety of different shapes and colours. The way in which a hold is placed on the wall is decisive for the rating of the route. This route consists of holds in one colour, so it can be easily recognized. A flexible panel system allows a flexible fixation of the holds and therefore a wide range of variation in routes. A climbing wall is never boring that way!


I would like to build a climbing wall in a school. Which are relevant aspects to consider?
You have to watch the requests of your insurance and of course the structural measures. Best is, to show your project to your insurance and have their consultion. We need information about the building (material and structure of wall and ceiling, statics etc.). These are the requirements to start your project and which we need, to make you an offer.

Which are the advantages of the use of the TopStop rope brake? Does the higher investment pay off?
The advantages of belaying devices like the TopStop rope brake are dependent on the kind of belaying and the target group. For you as attendant or operator of an artificial climbing wall it means higher safety, because this type of belaying nearly excludes all kind of sources of error. Time for safety-instructions are shortened and more time is left over for climbing.
Because differences in the weight of the climbing partner are irrelevant with the TopStop rope brake, new combinations of climbing partners are possible (child/adult, light woman, heavy man). That’s why the installation of the TopStop rope brake is usefull as well in security, as in social and economic matters. 

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