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Sport climbing is a form of rock climbing that is done for the purpose of adventure and entertainment. Unlike real climbing, in sports climbing the climber is bolted to a rock for the purpose of protection. The essential requisites to be a good climber are gymnastic abilities, strength, fitness and endurance. The equipments required for sports climbing are rope, helmet, climbing shoes, chalk bag, harness, belay device, and quick draws. Sport climbers are typically between 20 to 120 feet in length. A sports climber needs to put on a harness where the rope will be tied. The loose end of the rope will be handled by a belayer. Generally sports climbers use a figure eight follow through knot to wind the rope to the harness. Reaching each bolt the climber attaches a quickdraw to it. Thereafter he clips the rope through the hanging end of the draw. The bolt will protect the climber in case of an accidental fall. Finally when the climber reaches his destination he can use a two-bolt anchor to return to the ground or the rappel point. Germany is the next country after France to have sport climbing as one of the major sports. Some of the major sports climbing areas in Germany are Frankenjura, Elbsandsteingebirge and Holzen. Frankenjura is a world famous climbing area. There are over 4000 routes on different kinds of limestone formations. Elbsandsteingebirge is a major sandstone climbing area in eastern part of Germany. Some of the most arduous routes are Action Direct, Frankenjura, 9a Die Welle, Leonhardstein, 9a. Sport climbing differs from traditional climbing with respect to the type and placement of protection. Unlike sport climbing Traditional climbing does not utilize pre-placed permanent anchors. Sport climbing also typically involves shorter, single pitch routes, while traditional climbing is all about longer, multi-pitch ascents.
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