My Weird Rock Climbing Habit
Updated: Aug 11, 2023
If you see me doing this on a trip, now you know why...
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When I first started outdoor rock climbing, I was shopping for gear. One of the most important pieces of gear -- well, they're all important -- is a helmet. Helmets not only keep YOU safe while rock climbing, in keeping you safe, they also keep your partner safe. In other words, wearing a helmet helps to ensure everyone has a good trip and you don't end up hemorrhaging in the emergency room. Not only is this not fun, but it will be expensive and extra stressful if you're somewhere unfamiliar. In fact, this is why I always purchase travel insurance before any major trip -- even if you're not climbing. I personally recommend Safety Wing because their insurance covers you globally. It's super easy to set up too, even if you're already abroad.
In an attempt to avoid such a situation, I ordered a helmet on Amazon from Black Diamond, one of the world's major outdoor outfitting companies. (Please sponsor me.) I ordered the men's half dome helmet in the M/L size, and I absolutely love it. Cute color, adjustable headband circumference, and notches for a headlamp. It was my first helmet, and since I've only had it for a year and never taken a hit on it, I still wear it.
Fun fact about rock climbing helmets: there isn't really any difference between a men's helmet and a women's helmet. The only differences aren't in regard to anything safety-oriented (at least not directly) but rather a "Shrink it & Pink it" type of deal -- meaning, women's helmets are usually negligibly smaller and differently colored. However, especially more recently, some helmets have begun to consider longer hair in their women's models and have incorporated a bigger space at the nape of the neck to accommodate for a ponytail or similar hairstyle. Now you know!
When my helmet arrived in the post, I outfitted it with my Embark headlight (I believe I originally purchased this from REI, but can't find it on their site). I was ready to climb! Well, almost...
The most important thing about your climbing gear is the safety aspect. The second most important thing is how cool it looks. Hence why I make an effort to find everything in the coolest color/pattern possible. In addition, it's a lot harder for someone to accidentally swap your rope or quickdraws when they are bright pink. Like, bright pink.
That day, a little yellow sun sticker sat on my desk. I was waiting for somewhere nice to place it. I'm sure we've all experienced sticker paralysis before. Suddenly, I had a spontaneous recovery from my ailment. I knew where to put my sticker: my helmet! And on it went. Satisfied, on I went, with my life.
My next climbing trip took me and my buddy to Grand Ledge in Lower Michigan's Oak Park. Read all about my experiences at Grand Ledge in my post!
Before I left Grand Ledge, I had the brilliant idea: for every city I climbed in, I would buy a sticker with the name of the place to add to my helmet. I've done it ever since.
But Elizabeth! What will you do when you run out of room!? I don't know. I'll climb that route when I get to it. Odds are, by then, I'll need to get a new helmet anyway. Old Half Dome will retire as a trophy of sorts.
But now, whenever you see me in a climbing new city (indoor gyms count too!), don't be surprised if I'm jonesing for a sticker.
My beautiful Half Dome, featuring the OG sun, the sticker that started it all.
So, there you go! That's my weird secret rock climbing habit. Now I will never leave a place without climbing because I need to deck out my helmet! What weird things do you do when you rock climb? Does anyone else collect stickers?
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