Chris Haycock asked:


Rock climbing did not start to become a sport in its own right until the latter part of the 1900s. At first, rock climbing was just a necessary part of mountain climbing: the set of techniques that one had to make use of in order to scale sheer rock faces. However, with climbing locations around the world that are specially suited to this and only this style of climbing, rock climbing has become a popular pastime. While rock climbing may still be necessary for some mountain ascents, most people who rock climb for fun climb at relatively low altitudes, where weather conditions and lack of oxygen are not major concerns and where attention can be focused on the techniques of climbing.

Usually when ascending a vertical surface, climbers work together in pairs. One of the rock climbers will move further up the face of the rock, while the other stays where he or she is. Both of the climbers will be linked by a rope, and the lower climber will give the upper climber a longer length of rope using a belaying device as the climber ascends (the length of rope between the two should be minimized in order to prevent the strength of sudden jerking motions which take place if one of the climbers drops). When the lead climber falls, the distance that he or she falls will be twice that of the length of rope between the lead climber and the climber belaying the rope. Modern climbing rope is designed with a certain degree of elasticity to help absorb the shock of a fall without breaking, and the rope is usually threaded through a series of sharp curves on a belay device which prevent the rope from running loose and the lead climber from falling any farther.

Once the lead climber has ascended a short vertical distance, he or she will set up an anchor system using bolted hangers and / or spring loaded cams to secure the belaying equipment on his end of the rope to the rock. After that, the lead climber will take a rest and become the second, while the second becomes the lead climber and passes by on the way up. By taking advantage of such a system, the process of climbing is made much safer, and as long as the belaying system is safely secured to the outcroppings and niches of the rock face both of the climbers should be able to protect each other with a safety line that is always in place. Only in special conditions should rock climbers attempt to “move together”, or both climb at once, as this leaves them without a solid support and if one falls the other may be dragged off as well. When moving together, the lead climber will usually place a large number of handhold supports into the face of the rock to help the second hang on if there is an accident, but this is still very risky. Climbers must always remember to exercise proper safety precautions for a fun, controlled ascent.

Tony B asked:


For those of you that think of exercise and immediately cringe at the thought of those spinning machines and treadmills in a stuffy gym, try expanding your mind and the definition you use for what exercise is. While the weather’s nice and the trees are full of life, why not take the initiative and enjoy an outdoor activity like rock climbing.

What most people don’t realize is that these kinds of fun outings are just as much if not more physical activity than anything you can do inside. The best part is that when you’re busy scaling a crag-filled rock wall you likely won’t think to yourself, “wow, I’m exercising”. It’s too much fun for that.

The only difference between those indoor grind sessions and the great outdoor rock climbing sport is that when you get ready to climb a rock wall, you’d better be prepared for costs associated with the sport. It’s not cheap and that’s mainly because of the safety requirements you’ll want to see to immediately. If you don’t you’ll find yourself in a situation that might cause you great physical harm.

And so, for any newly minted rock climbers out there, the first step in your great outdoor adventure is the purchase of some new gear. Not only is that gear built to hold your weight and the pressure you’re putting on it with your weight, it must hold for hundreds of feet and hundreds of different climbs.

Finding rock climbing gear is a simple task. Any major sporting goods store will have most of what you need. You can also get online and find your gear from online outlets or wholesale and discount storefronts. The price of your gear will likely range from as low as $30 for couplings to $1200 for high quality harnesses and tethers. Unless you’re absolutely sure what you need and what size you are, you should consider an in store purchase first. You’ll want to make sure everything you buy fits as well as possible.

You might be faced with the decision of what kind of gear to purchase and which pieces are most important. First of all, everything is equally important, but one thing many people don’t pay quite as much attention to is the importance of rock climbing shoes. The grip they offer is second to none and you’ll need every bit of grip when climbing a sheer rock face and your life is on the line.

The rest of your gear is largely self-explanatory, but taking a good class and spending your time in a store front is vital to making sure you don’t forget anything. You’ll want every bit of rope, clasp, harness, and hook you’ll need when you set out or you might find yourself in danger when there’s no need to be.

Another important aspect which has arisen in recent years when choosing your gear is the environmental impact you leave on the rocks you are climbing. There is a bit of a push of late to move to clean climbing practices by not drilling bolts or hammering pitons into the rock. These important tools have long been used as anchors for keeping you attached to that great big rock face above the ground. However, recent developments such as spring-loaded camming devices have made them less necessary.

When you take your climbing classes, make sure to ask about clean climbing and the differences from plain old sport climbing. Rock climbing is a wonderful sport that millions enjoy around the world every year. It’s effective in keeping you fit and fun all the while. However, make sure when you set out that you know exactly what you need and the effect you’ll be having on the environment in the process.

Joel Owens asked:


James Bond may have the looks and the moves, but let’s admit it. He’ll never be as suave as he is without those James Bond vehicles he’s sporting. See Bond’s cars emit tear gas, run faster than a cheetah and disappear before your eyes. I’m telling you, a weapon of mass destruction hides behind those sleek and amazing machines he’s driving.

We’ve seen a wide foray of James Bond vehicles with which to foil his enemies throughout the series. Just like his watches and cunning gadgets, his cars function more than just a vehicle to get from point A to B. These vehicles are equipped with modifications like weapon system, alternate transportation modes, and even the ability to go invisible! With seamless technology in his vehicles, it is no wonder that James Bond is able to survive the harshest explosives, dodge the fastest bullets, and still look like he’s up for another martini.

To quench your growing curiosity about these four-wheeled beauties, here is a list of some of the James Bond vehicles that made our jaws drop.

Aston Martin DBS V12 (Featured in Casino Royale, 2006)

This is the personification of classic and beauty in four wheels mode. The Aston Martin DBS V12 might not have the hoots and whistles like an adaptive camouflage or anything as fancy as that, but its features are just enough to stop the villain from hoarding more money and eventually causing more worldly troubles. Aston comes with items such as a defibrillator and anti-poison/chemical combi-pens. These add-ons truly made Bond’s life easier in his conquest to save the world.

Aston Martin V12 Vanquish (featured in Die Another Day)

This car doesn’t only bridge the gap between the road and tracks. Staying true to its signature innovativeness and sleek design, this Aston plays tricks on your eyes with its awesome additional option, Adaptive Camouflage (the what?). In simpler and less complicated English, it just means that this beauty can literally disappear before your very eyes. Without magic or frills, the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish uses “tiny cameras on all sides to project the image they see onto a light emitting polymer skin on the opposite side”. Once again, in plain and less complicated English, the technology of the car makes it invisible to the naked eye.

It’s beautiful and dandy, but the car also has deadly tricks behind its front-grille. Armed with a bevy of other cool gadgets, the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish also boasts of missiles, machine guns, spiked tires, and target-seeking shotguns. When all these are not enough to send to destroy the enemies, James Bond could always use the car’s customary ejector seat. Real sleek, isn’t it?

BMW 75Oil (featured in Tomorrow Never Dies)

BMW is the car of the elites, but through the magic and genius of Branch Q, this baby has been transformed from luxurious to deadly. It contains a surprising number of modifications including bullet-proof windows and body, tear gas features emitted from the sides of the car, mini-missiles coming out of its sunroof, metal spike dispensers in the rear, re-inflatable tires, and lethal grenades (whew). Being a true James Bond vehicle, the BMW 75Oil can be accessed only by Bond himself through his high-end mobile phone. If anyone else dares to lay a finger on its door handles, this BMW can deliver strong electric shocks enough to make anyone pass out. This is one touchy car.

BMW Z8

We first caught sight of this pimped James Bond vehicle in The World is Not Enough. This remote-controlled car is equipped with missiles and a set of weaponry that become really handy when James Bond had to destroy one of the helicopters in the film. The BMW Z8 is absolutely a mammoth of a vehicle.

We’ve seen Bond steer, ride and strut these high tech vehicles. With the release of his next flick, Quantum of Solace, more James Bond vehicles are sure to grace the screen. After all, a James Bond film is not complete without some roaring machines.