Climbing harness facts for kids
A climbing harness is a special piece of safety gear used for rock climbing, abseiling (rappelling), and other activities where ropes are needed. It helps keep a person safe by connecting them securely to a rope or a strong anchor point.
Think of it like a safety belt for climbers. While you could make a simple one from a rope, most people use harnesses made by companies. These are much more comfortable and often have extra features like padding and loops for carrying equipment.
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History of Climbing Harnesses
The idea for a climbing harness goes way back to the late 1800s. A Dutch climber named Jeanne Immink is often given credit for inventing an early version.
In the early 1960s, some of the first modern climbing harnesses were developed in the UK. Alan Waterhouse, Paul Seddon, and Tony Howard were key figures. They later started a company called Troll, which made climbing gear.
A famous British climber, Don Whillans, needed a special harness for an expedition in 1970. He worked with the Troll team to design one. This design became very popular and was sold for many years. Later, Tony Howard had an idea for a new design with a special loop at the front, called a belay loop. This new design, the Troll Mk5, came out in 1979. Today, almost every climbing company uses a similar design, making it a standard piece of equipment.
Types of Climbing Harnesses
There are a few main types of harnesses, each designed for different needs:
Sit Harness
This is the most common type of climbing harness. It looks like a belt that goes around your waist, with two loops for your legs. The front part, where the waist belt and leg loops connect, is called the belay loop. This is where you connect the rope or a safety device like a Grigri to keep the climber secure.
Chest Harness
A chest harness is worn around your shoulders and chest. It's usually worn in addition to a sit harness. People often use a chest harness when they are climbing with a heavy backpack. This helps keep them upright and balanced.
Full-Body Harness
A full-body harness combines both a chest harness and a sit harness into one piece. It offers more support and is often used for young children when they are climbing. It's also commonly worn by workers who need to be secured high up, like on construction sites, to prevent falls.
Images for kids
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The Troll Mk5 sit harness, the first harness with a belay loop, 1979
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The original Troll Belt, 1963
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Article contributor: Tony Howard. Tony has over 60 years experience of rock climbing, mountaineering, caving, river, sea, jungle and desert travel. He is also a founder and ex-Director of Troll, one of the world's leading brands of climbing equipment. |
See also
In Spanish: Arnés (escalada) para niños
