FAQ: ROCK CLIMBING

1. Is rock climbing safe?

Rock climbing is inherently dangerous. Please follow all safety guidelines. Climbing risks can never be completely eliminated. The challenge of using one’s experience and skills to manage these risks is one of the allures of climbing.

2. I’ve never done rock climbing before. Can I participate in this activity?

All climbing areas where our tours are executed have numerous climbing routes with different difficulty levels. If you don’t have climbing experience, our guides will take you on easy routes first and from there you will progress to more difficult ones.

3. What is top roping?

The rope is anchored at the top of the route with two working ends, one with the belayer and one with the climber.

4. Is there a minimum age for rock climbing?

There is a minimum of 10 years old.

5. Do I have to climb all the way to the top?

No. You climb as long as you can.

6. How to descend from a climb?

It is often possible to walk down the side of cliffs or mountains and return to the base. Where walking down is difficult or impossible, instructors will belay you.

7. What are bolts?

Bolts are expansion bolts like those used in construction, tapped into holes drilled in the rock to protect climbs where there are no cracks for other type of protection. A special hanger is attached to the bolt, so the rope can be clipped to it with a caribiner. Bolts are permanent or fixed pieces of protection. They are placed only by the first person to do a climb and are used by all subsequent parties.

8. What are carabiner?

Caribiner are aluminum ovals with spring-loaded gates, used to clip two pieces of gear together or gear to a rope. Frequently called “snaplinks” in media reports, but climbers never use this term.

9. What are climbing shoes?

Climbing shoes are shoes with high-friction rubber soles and carefully designed edges that allow climbers to stand on tiny footholds.

10. Do you provide equipment?

Yes, we do. Upon arrival to the climbing area, you will get climbing shoes, harness, helmet. All other climbing equipment (e.g. quickdraws, ropes) is included.

11. What is free climbing?

Free climbing is the type of rock climbing that most climbers practice. No artificial aid is used to gain height. Instead, the climber relies on his or her physical abilities. A free climber uses a rope and other equipment only to protect himself from falling to the ground. The gear is not used to make upward progress. Free climbing is not the same as soloing.

12. What is a harness?

A harness is a nylon harness, buckled around the waist and thighs, providing a comfortable way to tie into the rope for climbing, rappelling and belaying.

13. What is chalk?

Chalk is magnesium carbonate, carried in a pouch at the waist, used to Improve climbers’ grip on the rock.

14. What is sport climbing?

Sport climbing is another form of free climbing. These climbs are protected exclusively with fixed protection-usually bolts and hangers. Sport climbs have developed rapidly at cliffs where there are few cracks for protecting climbs traditionally. Some cliffs consist entirely of sport climbs. Sport climbing is very popular because it is less expensive and easier to learn than gear-intensive traditional climbing. Because the protection is very solid and easy to use, sport climbing also has allowed climbers to push their limits on very difficult terrain with little fear of the repeated falls that often result.

15. What is Top roping?

In top-roping, the middle of the rope is clipped to an anchor at the top of the climb. Both ends of the rope are at the bottom of the climb. The belayer takes in rope as the climber ascends, so the climber is always protected with an overhead rope and any fall will he very short. Top-roping is very common among beginning climbers, as well as at indoor climbing gyms. It is what you will be doing on the tour.

16. How and when should I make a reservation?

You can request a reservation online or over the phone. Start at our Reservations page and fill in the form. Our staff will reply as soon as possible.

Certain days during the season sell out quickly, so we encourage contacting our office to check for availability. While reservations are required in advance to participate on a rock climbing tour, last-minute reservations are welcome a day or two before the trip.

17. How do we get to the climbing area?

We offer organized transfer in both directions. This transfer leaves every day at a certain hour. During high season both morning and afternon departures are organized.

If you have your own car, parking place is secured at the start point.

18. Who else will be on a tour? Can I book as an individual?

Other individuals or groups who made a reservation for the same day as you did.

You can book as in individual and we will join you to one of the groups.

19. Can I reserve a private tour?

Yes, you can. You can go to our Reservations form and among other details emphasize you want a private tour.

Price and availability of this tour depends on the period of the year, transfer and number of people.

20. Will the tour be cancelled if it rains?

Yes, the tour will be cancelled if it rains.

21. What happens in case of a sudden thunderstorm?

In case of a sudden thunderstorm and before arrival to the climbing area, Adventure Dalmatia holds right to cancel or reschedule the tour.

We hold the right to cancel the tour 1 or 2 days prior depending on weather conditions.

If the tour has been paid and then cancelled because of weather conditions, refund is 100% of the price.

22. Does the price include insurance?

Persuant to the Law on Providing services in Tourism, Article 56, paragraph 3, Adventure Dalmatia is responsible to provide insurance  for clients.