Climbing basically consists of scaling natural faces (of rock or ice) or artificial ones
(climbing centres). These are the modalities on offer:
- Classic, the aim of which is to reach the top of the mountain
- Artificial, using the most sophisticated climbing techniques
- On ice, in which climbers ascend via iced waterfalls.
- Competition, performed in climbing centres, and sporting, on rock or in a climbing
centre when only hands and feet are used to ascend.
- Large face, which involves climbing a 500-metre face. At least two days are needed, along with good equipment and supplies (clothes, water and food).

Prudence and security
To ensure that the climb is safe and prudent you need adequate equipment and enough technical knowledge to be able to choose the correct body posture and the correct equipment for each climb.

The rope must be flexible to be able to tie knots and resist the rub of the rock. You can buy them up to 60 metres in length and 11 centimetres in diameter. The harness should have a wide padded belt made of anti-abrasive material to prevent the rope from wearing out. Essential for the sake of security is a snap harness with a resistant express tape which can be hooked on to the face and then on to the rope, which needs to be fairly light, above all for sport climbing.

It is advisable to use tight-fitting footwear. The climber must also have descenders and brakes at his disposal to descend safely, as well as a helmet and a rucksack. The helmet is an item that is not always used but is indispensable for protecting the head from the rocks that will likely fall down the face as you climb.

Techniques for all tastes
Climbing does not merely consist of ascending a face using your hands and feet in a parallel manner. There are different techniques depending on the type of face and the posture of the body. The main difference between normal climbing and adherence climbing is the position of the body, as in the latter variety the rear must be as far removed as possible from the face. Dyhedral climbing is done in an X formation and reminds us of the Spiderman comics. When there are cracks in the face, the climber slips in his hands and grips to climb.

Finally, if a crack is wide enough to support the whole body of the climber horizontally allowing him to ascend with his shoulder supported by the face, this is called chimney climbing.

Spain, an ideal spot for learning and practising
Before starting to climb it is important to attend one of the beginners' courses organised by mountain clubs and regional federations, the pick of which is the Federaci�n Espa�ola de Deportes de Monta�a y Escalada (FEDME). Mountain travel operators also often offer guides and instructors. In both cases they must have a qualification recognised by the federation.

Spain has several ideal areas for practising this sport. The Picos de Europa, Pyrenees, Galicia, the schools of Girona or la Pedriza in Madrid are good examples. Climbing is sometimes banned at certain times of the year due to the risk of avalanche or the nesting of birds. As for competition Spain has its own Championship and three trials that are part of the Spanish Cup. The calendar is completed with the biannual World Championships and the World Cup made of various trials, one of which was held last year in Avil�s (Asturias).