Modern rockclimbing has existed in Australia since the 1950s and is now a popular sport across the country.  There are festivals, competitions, movies and many clubs  devoted to this sport.

Rock climbing is accepted worldwide as a legitimate recreational pursuit and participation has multiple benefits:

• Encourages strong ethical and environmental values, where climbers can appreciate and protect the beauty of our natural environment
• Builds confidence, self esteem, increases problem solving skills and even provides stress relief.
• Climbing is actually quite safe when compared to many other sports.
• Increases strength, endurance and flexibility
• From 2020, climbing is now included as an Olympic Sport.

Forms of rock climbing in the Grampians:

Bouldering

Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is performed on small rock formations, known as boulders, without the use of ropes or harnesses.  Often small ‘crash pads’ are used that allow climbers to fall safely.  Bouldering accounts for approx 15% of the climbs in the Grampians.

Trad Climbing

Traditional Rock climbing uses removable “natural” protection, such as metal wedges and camming devices that are placed into natural rock cracks and pockets.  This gear is not left permanently in the rock and does not require drilling, and is therefor very low impact.  The vast majority (75%) of the recorded rock climbs in the Grampians are Traditional climbs.

 

Sport Climbing

Is climbing where fixed protection (bolts) are required to safely ascend the rock.  While sport climbing is increasingly popular, it only represents 10% of the rock climbs in the Grampians.