Climbing rock
Encyclopedia
A climbing rock is a term used especially in Germany for an individual rock formation, rock face or rock group on which climbing
is permitted. Designated climbing rocks are listed in climbing guidebook
s and are usually incorporated and marked within the climbing area
s of the alpine club
s. The concept is mainly relevant to climbing outside or on the fringes of the Alps. Special climbing regulations normally apply to climbing rocks, such as those for Saxon Switzerland
, and there are usually restrictions to take account of conservation laws and requirements.
Examples of climbing rocks in Germany are the Alpawand
(over 600 metres height difference), the Asselstein
(58 m) and the Falkenstein
in Saxon Switzerland
. The German Alpine Club
(DAV) maintains a website listing over 3,000 individual rocks in 28 climbing regions with around 250 climbing area
s.
Climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
is permitted. Designated climbing rocks are listed in climbing guidebook
Climbing guidebook
Climbing guidebooks are used by rock climbers to find the location of climbing routes at crags or on mountains. Guidebooks also offer condensed information about local restaurants, bars and camping areas; often include sections on geology and local climbing history; and may contain many pictures to...
s and are usually incorporated and marked within the climbing area
Climbing area
A climbing area is a small geographical region with a concentration of opportunities for climbing. The term is most commonly used of rock climbing areas, but there are also ice climbing areas that have the right combination of steepness and water to result in climbable ice during the winter.While...
s of the alpine club
Alpine Club
The first Alpine Club, founded in London in 1857, was once described as:Today, Alpine clubs stage climbing competitions, operate alpine huts and paths, and are active in protecting the Alpine environment...
s. The concept is mainly relevant to climbing outside or on the fringes of the Alps. Special climbing regulations normally apply to climbing rocks, such as those for Saxon Switzerland
Saxon Switzerland
Saxon Switzerland is a hilly climbing area and national park around the Elbe valley south-east of Dresden in Saxony, Germany. Together with the Bohemian Switzerland in the Czech Republic it forms the Elbe Sandstone Mountains....
, and there are usually restrictions to take account of conservation laws and requirements.
Examples of climbing rocks in Germany are the Alpawand
Alpawand
The Alpawand is the tallest rock face on the northwestern side of the Reiter Alps with height of over 600 m.It is particularly interesting to climbers; although the summit itself is an unimposing rise, covered in Mountain Pine, on an extension of the Großes Häuselhorn...
(over 600 metres height difference), the Asselstein
Asselstein
The Asselstein is a rock pinnacle or tower near the village of Annweiler am Trifels in the Southern Palatinate in western Germany.The road from Annweiler to Trifels runs close by the Asselstein...
(58 m) and the Falkenstein
Falkenstein (Sächsische Schweiz)
The Falkenstein is one of the best known climbing peaks in Saxon Switzerland.It is situated near the rocky Schrammsteine ridge southeast of the town of Bad Schandau....
in Saxon Switzerland
Saxon Switzerland
Saxon Switzerland is a hilly climbing area and national park around the Elbe valley south-east of Dresden in Saxony, Germany. Together with the Bohemian Switzerland in the Czech Republic it forms the Elbe Sandstone Mountains....
. The German Alpine Club
German Alpine Club
The German Alpine Club or DAV is the largest climbing association in the world and the eighth largest sports union in Germany. It is organised into 354 legally independent branches with a total of around 815,000 members...
(DAV) maintains a website listing over 3,000 individual rocks in 28 climbing regions with around 250 climbing area
Climbing area
A climbing area is a small geographical region with a concentration of opportunities for climbing. The term is most commonly used of rock climbing areas, but there are also ice climbing areas that have the right combination of steepness and water to result in climbable ice during the winter.While...
s.
Source
- Rudolf FehrmannRudolf FehrmannRudolf Fehrmann , a German, was a pioneer rock climber at Elbsandsteingebirge near Dresden. He began climbing at the age of 17 and was soon at the leading edge of the fledgling sport...
: Der Bergsteiger in der Sächsischen Schweiz. Führer durch die Kletterfelsen des Elbsandsteingebirges, Verlagsanstalt Johannes Siegel, Dresden 1908 - Christian Hacker: Kletterfelsen von Wien bis Semmering, Eigenverlag, Vienna 1995