Climbing harness facts for kids
A climbing harness is an item of climbing equipment for rock-climbing, abseiling, or other activities requiring the use of ropes to provide access or safety such as industrial rope access, working at heights, etc. A harness secures a person to a rope or an anchor point.
In its simplest form, a harness can be made from a length of rope or a nylon webbing tied round the waist. More sophisticated harnesses exist in many patterns, designed to give greater comfort and security, and more options for carrying equipment.
While harnesses can be improvised, it is more common to use commercially produced harnesses, which often include padding and amenities such as gear loops.
Contents
History
The invention of the climbing harness has been attributed to Jeanne Immink, a Dutch climber in the late nineteenth century. Some of the first climbing harnesses were devised in the U.K. in the early 1960s by Alan Waterhouse, Paul Seddon and Tony Howard who went on to form the Troll climbing equipment manufacturers. British climber Don Whillans came to the Troll workshop with an idea for a harness for the 1970 Annapurna South Face Expedition. Tony Howard, Paul Seddon and Alan Waterhouse designed one and it was approved by Don. From then (1970) until 1979 it was the best selling harness. Then, based on an idea by Tony Howard - a belay loop at the front - a new design was made, the Troll Mk5. Since then the design has been copied by almost every climbing company and is now universal.
Types
There are different types of harnesses.
- A sit string harness looks like a belt, which is connected to two loops. The belt is worn around the waist and the loops are worn at the legs the connection is worn in the front. This connection is called belay loop. In this connection usually the knots are tied. Also it's used to belay the climber, with a knot or a securing device, like the Grigri. This is the most common type of climbing harnesses.
- A chest harness is worn around the shoulders. It's additionally worn with the sit string harness. It's used to climb with a backpack.
- A full-body harness is a combination of both. The chest harness and the sit string harness are connected. It's mostly worn by little children instead of a sit string harness. Workers who need to be secured of falling also usually wear this kind of harness.
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
