Perhaps you’ve seen that famous quote; “go climb a rock.” In some regards it’s used in a derogatory fashion as in; “go fly a kite.” But, if you are a rock climber, you probably have a T-shirt which says this, and you wear it proudly. Other people might not understand the significance, because they have never climbed a rock, or realized the rush one gets along the way, and after reaching the top. Specifically, right now I would like to discuss this, and introduce you to some potential new materials and technologies to help in your rock climbing.
Indeed, I’m not sure if you have seen some of the new technologies being introduced by University grad students, enabling people to use gecko-like gloves and shoes to help in climbing, but that technology is moving right along, along with high-tech materials to make all the climbing gear super light-weight. You’ll be able to carry more rope, and hardware along with you. This means you can climb more safely as you can carry more gear without expending any more energy to maintain your performance and agility.
Right now, the gecko gloves and shoes aren’t quite there yet, but the technology is coming along, and climbing to the next level. Soon all of this will be miniaturized, and it will add safety, as well as help a climber hang in there. How might this work you wonder? Well, as you reach with your gecko glove you will place the glove flat on to the rock and squeeze the inside of the glove which will become your handle. When you are ready to go forward again, you will peel the glove back on the handle, allowing it to unhook itself, for the next move.
The soles of your climbing shoes will be similar, and much wider than what you are used to. Meanwhile, your shoes will be pointed so you can wedge them in the cracks, and this will enable you to peel away from the sticky soled shoes, and the pointed end back which you have waged in the rocks.
The new ropes will probably be made at of carbon fiber, but ultra-flexible, and no worries, because it will be stronger than steel, and extremely light and easy to use. The flexibility will offer rubber band like features similar to a pole vault allowing to do new maneuvers. The future of rock climbing and all these great technologies will be here within the next 10 to 20 years. So even if you are growing older and worried about your future body strength, these new materials and technologies might make up the difference.
You may be able to climb vertical rocks until well into your 80s and 90s. Wouldn’t that be cool? Think of all the experience you will have by then. Please consider all this and think on it.