Fat bikes a big hit with cyclists feeling the pain of Edmonton’s rough terrain

****

I really enjoyed this article about fat tires on bikes because it gives my family and me and activity we can do in the winter. My family loves biking, but always has to put them away for the winter. This article teaches me that we won’t have to anymore.

A man named Chris Hubick uses a fat bike for winter biking, but he later realised that it worked well for every season. This “fat bike” isn’t like the fat tires or more known as mountain bikes. These bikes are wide all around. This helps make room for giant tires that are purposefully squishy. This helps them float over snow, tree roots and beach sand. The bikes are very safe and stable, someone has even used his bike to pull his baby carriage. These fat bikes are very useful for people who have to bike to work and have to conquer potholes and gravel patches on the road. When they first started selling them they didn’t get such sold much. Most of them weigh up to 40 pounds. The good thing is that if they break they aren’t expensive and the parts can be replaced easily. Now word got out about these bikes and they’re selling way more than they used to. Chris Hubick says with enough muscle power you could go over anything with the fat bike. This bike has been proven by many that it’s a very good on or off road bike.

I really enjoyed this article because it really educated me about this bike and how it could  be helpful for people I know. My friend lives in an area with a lot of hills, but she really likes to bike round. It’s also easier for her to travel to work. This bike could really help her, so I can definitely recommend them to her.

Reference

Edmontonjournal.com,’Fat bikes a big hit with cyclists feeling the pain of Edmonton.’. N.p., 2015. Web. 13 April 2015

What to do when the water runs out-Craig Macartney

Rating:**** This article provides several different ways to collect drinking water when you have ran out and are in a position for survival. What to do when the water runs out explains four different ways to collect water when you are in a situation of survival in almost any environment(not during winter). The first option "solar still" is to find an area with direct sunlight and foliage where you will dig a hole a meter deep and a meter wide. Place a bucket in the hole and cover the ground with plastic (Ex.tent groundsheet). Weigh down the plastic with rocks and slowly condensation droplets will roll down the plastic and into your container. The second and third option include tying a plastic bag to leaves. The fourth option is collecting dew in the morning with a cloth. This article made me think of how interesting it would be to try one of these water collections, especially the first option. Though, this article warned be about how I would never want to be in a real survival situation where that is the only way to receive drinking water. Last years hiking trip I found difficult only being able to refill our water bottles once we arrived at certain campsites, and I hope I never end up in a situation having those four options as my only water ressource. What to do when water runs out reminded me how excited I am for the canoe trip where I will have access to drinking water at almost all times.

They're Called Life Jackets for a Reason - Tamia Nelson

They’re Called LIFE Jackets for a Reason - Tamia Nelson, paddling.net

Rating: ***

This article is all about life jackets and how it really does matter what kind you buy. It describes what type of jacket is good for which condition.

They’re Called Life Jackets for a Reason explains to kayakers and canoeists which life jackets they should be purchasing for the specific activity they will be taking part in. It goes on to say how many people die on the water from drowning just because they were careless and didn't bring a life jacket. The article tells you how to check if the life jacket you are buying is the right fit for you and what to do when testing it; for example, make sure it keeps your head above the water. It describes the different types of vests you can buy and what to look for in the specific one you want. There are many life jackets out there that are improperly used.

This article has made me think about all the times I've gone boating or canoeing and I put on a life jacket without knowing what kind it was or what it was for. I've definitely learnt that I need to make sure that I know the purpose of the life jacket I’m using and that I've tested it in safe water before going somewhere much deeper. Taking an hour to find a proper life jacket and test it is worth it when your life is on the line.

I would recommend reading this article before going on the water. It’s important to know the best way to assure your safety.

Nelson, Tamia. They’re Called LIFE Jackets for a Reason. 2001. paddling.net.

The Benefits of Risk

The Benefits of Risk, by Andrew Findlay

Overall Rating: ****

In this article, it discusses the benefits that taking risks in the outdoors can have on a child's development into their adult life. It speaks of how letting kids discover things on their own, without parents constantly saying no to this and that, and not letting them discover the world around them. 

Andrew Findlay speaks of a few instances where he has spoken about letting his children take risks to allow them to explore the world around them, or spoken to others who have the same idea. For example, he spoke with Jean-Francois Plouffe, who allowed his son to go on a 5.7 climb, when he was only five. Plouffe believes that the risk was minimal, and that there was less danger than is associated with a car crash. This allows the child to explore and increase their knowledge of their surroundings, with some risk, but not so much that they are in serious danger. 

In my opinion, I find that this article is very well written, displaying the importance of risk taking, but in a safe manner, as to increase our experiences in life, but not so dangerous that something serious could happen. In other words, it is all about "risk management", as Mr. Plouffe calls it. This had an impact on me because we had recently gone climbing in our class, and it had shown me that even though you are securely strapped in, the sort of danger and thrill associated with it is excellent, because it motivates you to do well, and also gives you self confidence to go beyond your comfort zone, and succeed. The only thing that I have an issue with in this article is that, what is the limit of risk, and when does it become plain stupidity, to challenge yourself to do something nearly impossible. This demonstrates that sometimes, risks are not always a good thing, but when taking risks, it is important to be well prepared, and also be knowledgeable in your ability.

In conclusion, this article was very complete, and highlighted the importance of risks, and how it can impact your life, physically and mentally, in a very positive way, and enabling you to have a better lifestyle for the future. I would recommend this article to anyone who enjoys the outdoors, as well as getting out of their comfort zone.

Source: Findlay, Andrew. 'The Benefits Of Risk'. Explore Magazine. N.p., 2015. Web. 10 Apr. 2015.

The Benefits of Risk

Author: Andrew Findlay

Rating: ***

By: Erin James

In the article titled, “The Benefits of Risk,” the author talks about the importance of letting young children, teenagers, and even adults allow themselves to test their abilities and take on challenges that could either have a good or bad outcome. This article would be a good read for any outdoor ed student because it has a lot to do with what we learn in class and how to apply it in the outdoors. 

Throughout the article, it describes risks as something that people should not be punished or disciplined for, but something that let’s us grow as human beings both mentally and physically. As long as the risk is in a controlled manner, taking risks while we are still young can ultimately boost our confidence and help our overall well-being while pushing us to be the best we can be to achieve our goals. The author even includes personal experiences about their children and about a child of a friend of theirs. They explain that letting their children try new things instead of being too overprotective, will help them become stronger in the long run and even encourage them to participate in outdoor activities more often than just staying home and watching TV. A young child, named Kaleo Plouffe, started hiking with his father at a very young age which eventually made Kaleo less needy and able to make good decisions. 

Before reading this article and discussing the subject of risks in class, I had always thought that the definition of the word “risk” was something that people do who don’t think about the consequences of their actions. Now, i believe that risks are a good thing because it helps our overall health and challenges us to move out of our comfort zones. As i am a shy person, i sometimes find it difficult to move out of my comfort zone since i like to overthink things and worry about what could go wrong, so i think a big goal of mine is to not necessarily forget everything that could go wrong in a situation, but to focus on everything that could go right and how it could benefit me.  

Findlay, Andrew. 'The Benefits Of Risk'. Explore Magazine. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 Mar. 2015.

THE HAPPY CAMPER: MENU PLANNING 101-Kevin Callan

Rating: ** During extended wilderness hiking trips, the skill of meal planning is often overlooked. This skill is beneficial to have towards the entire group while planning a trip as eating proper foods is essential to a good trip. Not only does the food have to be nutritious, but it must be quite compact as to save room, and it must be easy to cook in order to save fuel for the entire trip. This article is written by an outdoor education teacher whose goal is to teach students and new hikers about the essentials of menu planning. He states in the article that he has noticed his own students have trouble with planning proper meals while maintaining the need of compact foods. In this article, the importance of proper nutrition on a hiking trip is emphasized as many calories must be eaten to ensure hikers have enough energy. Foods that are all quick to cook, easy to carry, and nutritious are the most beneficial for anyone on a hiking trip as they won't cause much trouble but still provide much needed nutrition. Some foods that are mentioned in this article are: rice (can cook quickly and is easy to pack), pasta (healthy when whole grain and provides carbohydrates for energy), beans (high in protein and are quickly cooked if pre-soaked a day in advance), soy grits (a much quicker and easier meal, also very high in protein) and a few more. I believe the author of this article has achieved his goal in educating new hikers the essentials of proper meal planning as it has made me begin thinking about foods I will want to pack for our canoe trip. I understand that proper nutrition is essential for a good trip, but this article has already given me ideas towards what I may need to bring to achieve this proper nutrition. Citation: Callan, Kevin. 'The Happy Camper: Menu Planning 101'. Explore Magazine. N.p., 2015. Web. 2 Apr. 2015.

Discovering Canada’s Past In Our Parks

Discovering Canada’s Past In Our Parks

Bryen Dunn

Rating ****

Reviewed by Liam Meek

This article is an interesting read about how one can do more than sit in a trailer and watch tv in National and Provincial parks by exploring the rich history of the Canadian Wilderness.

The article starts out by discussing the newest National park, Parc National Du Lac-Témiscouata. This new park is home to over 30 archeological sites that are available to be explored with guided tours of the sites by archeologists. There are interesting exhibits in the parks discovery center telling of the tribes that inhabited the area over thousands of years. Also available are cycling paths, hiking trails, and canoe and kayak routes, the park offers many fun ways to explore Canada’s past. The other park mentioned is Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park in Ontario. This Park is situated along the Mattawa river which saw an important role in the fur trade and the birth of Canada. This park is more open than the last but that does not mean there is less to do. Canoe rides can be offered in an hour guided tour or a half day paddle in authentic northern canoes.

This article is very helpful in planning trips to these parks as it outlines the various activities that can be found around the parks. It also gives details about the accommodations they offer while exploring the area. The only criticism I will give is that the article seems geared more towards mainstream campers, therefore some of the parks may provide less of a challenge than what some may be looking for.

Overall I would recommend this article to those interested in camping and the History of Canada.

Dunn, Bryen, Discovering Canada’s Past in Our Parks, Aventura magazine, Vol 5,No 2, Summer 2013, Accessed April 1 2015

Backpacking the Bruce Trail

By: Bryan March

Rating: ****

 If you’ve ever thought of planning a hiking trip I recommend you read this article by Bryan March about backpacking through the Bruce trail in Ontario.

This article touches on some of the main points of the hiking trip including the lakes and caves you will hike near. March also mentions some key features such as an old logging cabin and a few open lookouts. He also mentions multiple spots to camp out for the night to ensure you can make the trip at your own pace.

This article is quite specific, but still very useful if you are still determining where you would like to go for your trip. March made the main points of the trip very easy to find and really highlighted what the hiking would be like. If you are already planning a hiking trip then I would recommend that you read this and weigh it as a destination option, but the article is very useful if you are still just considering a trip. I can draw you in and motivate you to plan one.

So if you are looking for a great destination for your next trip or still deciding whether or not you want to go I would recommend you read March’s article about Bruce trail.

March, Bryan. (2013). Backpacking the Bruce Trail. Outdoor Adventure Canada, http://www.outdooradventurecanada.com/backpacking-storm-haven.htm

The Best East Coast Adventure: Sea Kayaking

The Best East Coast Adventure: Sea Kayaking

By: Robert Earle Howells

rating:**

         The article is about sea kayaking in Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, Nova Scotia. And how great of a place it is for kayakers of any skill level.  Cape Chignecto can get pretty extreme with up to 40 foot tides. but it's still not that hard to paddle in, the only problem is the conditions there can change very quickly so they suggest going with a guide your first time. The article goes on to talk about this 4 day kayak trip that crosses Cape Chignecto.


        I enjoyed the article it really makes me want to learn more about kayaking and eventually visit  Cape Chignecto. but I wish the article told me more about this beautiful place and more about the kayaking trip. In short the article was a little too short and I wish it had a little more information. 



By: Robert Earle Howells 
Outside magazine August 2012

Article no.2

 

Camping Tips and Advice – Love the Outdoors

 

Rating: ***

 

Camping is not an easy task for beginners, and those of us who are slightly less experienced than others sometimes need a few pointers to help us get started in the right direction. This article of camping tips for amateur campers was a great source of information.

 

Essentially, the article covers a few basics of camping in three sections dedicated to general outdoor tips, supplies that you should bring on the trip, and how you should budget for each trip that you go on. It did not go into great detail, but it did give some basic pointers about preparing for your trip, pitching a tent, how to dress, and skills that you should have to be categorized as a “seasoned camper”. The author gives you a list of some of the most important equipment to bring, and what should cost you the most to the least in your budget.

 

For people who have never formally been camping, such as myself, the article was a useful overview of the materials, planning and expenses put into a camping trip. It was not extremely detailed, so I would read more on the subject, but it at least gave me an idea of the sorts of things I will need to be prepared for the camping trip. I enjoyed learning what often separates an amateur camper (me!) and a seasoned camper, and this made me reflect on what I can do on my own to improve my skills and my knowledge before I actually go camping.

 

I would recommend to anyone looking for beginner camping advice to read this article, but to do some more in-depth research as well to look into some of the concepts mentioned with more detail.

 

Love the Outdoors. Camping Tips and Advice. Retrieved March 2015. URL: http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/tips/tips_and_advice.htm

Outdoor Ed Article Assignment- What you need to know for the ideal survival knife

What you need to know for the ideal survival knife

Rating *****

This article is informative as well as interesting, learning about what makes a good survival knife is very interesting. Little things on a knife include but are not limited to, blade length, type of blade(fixed or not), and even handle. As well, listing 5 different types of survival knives that people often choose is also a great help for beginners looking for a trusty, and handy knife.

This article talks about how little things on a knife can be the difference between life and death. Although that may seem harsh, it's the cold hard truth. Little things to look for on a good survival knife are, a fixed blade, full tang, comfortable non-slip handle, thick blade, length of blade, and easy to sharpen and hone. A fixed blade is ideal because a flimsy blade (like a blade on a pocket knife) can break quite easy. A flimsy blade is something you don't want to have because it can mean life or death in certain situations. As well, the thinner the blade is, it can be hard to use it certain situations you might need. Full tang means a blade covered in full steel, if a knife isn't fully covered then it may be more flimsy and be exposed in the wilderness. Comfortable, non-slip handle is ideal so your hands aren't slipping from the handle because of water, juice, or sweat.  A big butt and the end of the knife is great so your hands don't slip off and drop the knife.  A thick blade is great for heavy duty jobs, however too thick can be a problem, the ideal size for a knife is 5/32" and 1/4". The length of a survival knife is more preference, however 6 inches is great because anything too big or too small will not have the same versatility. Easy to sharpen and hone is very important and something that should be considered when looking at survival knives. You want a knife that is tough, but not too tough so that you have a hard time sharpening. Hollow-ground blades can be incredibly sharp, but extremely difficult to sharpen in the wilderness, however a compound grind holds a decent edge yet can be sharpened much easier on the go. Recommended knives that were suggested are:
KA-BAR USMC Utility Knife, Tom Brown Tracker, SOG SEAL Team Knife, Cold Steel SRK, Fallkniven A1 Swedish Survival Knife.

I really enjoyed reading this article, I found it informative, as well as interesting. I learned a lot from reading an article based on survival knives.from reading this, I learned what to look for in a good survival knife. I found this article to be something interesting as I can relate to how flimsy a pocket knife can be and how unreliable a pocket knife can be. The thicker knifes are more ideal as I have just listed above. If I ever want to buy a survival knife I will know what to look for, and I will be able to educate others about this as well. Although I may not go survival mode like you would see people on a T.V show where they have a a knife and they have to survive based on that. I would love to have a survival knife just in case I may need one for whatever reason. I am also a fan of survival knives because of the way they look and I enjoy just having them around.

Reference: http://news.discovery.com/adventure/survival/top-5-survival-knives.htm

Kayak Touring- Ken Guillins

By: Brianna Griffin

Rating: **

The article called Kayak Touring wasn’t what I expected to be reading. It wasn’t a story and I personally wasn’t interested while reading.

Kayak Touring is about what it’s like to travel in a kayak on the Gatineau river. Also it’s about nosing against the mild current which, can be difficult at times. Finally the last part of the article is about alternate routes such as different lakes and different streams you are able to travel down. The article was short but I feel like the author could’ve made it more appealing.

The beginning of the article is written with many details and I was able to picture the beautiful scenery the author was describing. The description made me want to go kayaking since i’ve never been. Toward the end the article wasn’t able to grab my attention because the author was giving too much unneeded information. I thought the article was going to be a story about kayaking on the Gatineau river but it was simply about what it’s like which, is why i didn’t enjoy the article. Overall the article had my attention at the beginning then lost it towards the end.

I do not recommend this article for kayaking.

Guillins Ken. Kayak Touring. Ottawaoutdoors.ca

Getting up in Powder

Getting up in Powder - Whitelines Basics
by Mike Brindley 

***

"Getting Up In Powder" is a short  and simple article which explains the best ways to get up in fresh powder snow as a snowboarder.

This article talks about the important basics when you are snowboarding off the piste and explains the basic techniques to get up in powder-snow.
I like this article because it is short, easy to understand and well structured.
It reminded me of some general rules for snowboarding and gave me some new stuff to try out for the next time I am standing on a board. I did already knew some of the rules, but the article gave me a full overview of all the important things that you have to consider. While reading this article I got more and more excited for the winter and I am already looking forward to get in the powder and try those tricks myself.

Brindley, Mike; Whitelines Basics
<http://whitelines.com/trick-tips/backcountry-basics/getting-powder-whitelines-basics.html>

Weather Basics For Backpacking By T.D Wood

Rating : ***

This article explains the importance, as well as how to better be prepared for a backpacking trip by being prepared to deal with all weather situations. It talks about how to prepare and what to do if stuck in a storm.

Wood speaks of how to prepare ahead. This includes preparing for the worst eventuality and hoping for the best. He talks about the importance of looking at historic weather patterns for the area you are travelling through, as well as considering carrying a small radio to keep up to date on current weather news. He covers how to interpret clouds to predict future changes in weather, such as the potential for rain or clearer weather. Wood speaks of what to do and where to go if your outside in the event of a thunder storm. He also covers taking cover in larger groups as well as what to do in the event of  a strike. Lastly he explains how to gauge the distance from you that lightning is striking.

This article has shown to me that there is a lot of thought that you must put into preparing for the weather before you go on any outdoor adventure. This article, despite being written for the purpose of informing backpackers and people interested in backpacking, is actually a great tool for anyone looking at spending time in the outdoors as all outdoor activities are effected by the weather. This has better informed me on how to ensure that I am prepared for the next time I venture into the outdoors and would recommend it to all planing to do the same.

Wood, T.D. "Weather Basics for Backpackers". Last updated 02/18/2014. 

Accessed 29 Oct. 2014. Web. Avalible at:

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/weather-basics.html

Water Purification Now Made Easy

 

 

Water Purification Now Made Easy By: Allen Macartney

Amanda Boyd

Rating ****

 

            This article described new tools that make water purification much quicker and easier. The author detailed how forest travelers used to purify their water and then discussed how the technology nowadays is much more advanced, giving us much safer and more reliable methods to purify water.  wrote about the different ways you can purify water, such as boiling it or using filters.  He then described even better and faster ways to purify water. Recently, two products have hit the market called the SteriPEN and LifeStraw. They are both small, light and offer almost one hundred percent guaranteed purified water. The article said that the SteriPEN is a banana sized ultra-violet purifier that cleans a litre of water in 90 seconds. It also said that the LifeStraw can filter up to one thousand litres of water.

             This article was really interesting for me because it described how much technology for water purification has changed over the years. It made me think about how much technology has improved. I learned from this article how people used to purify water. In the past people used to purify their water by straining the algae, viruses, fungi, parasites and bacteria with fabric but now we have the technology to make machines that will do that for us and they are much more reliable. Also, I think the next time I go camping or on another hiking trip it would be a good idea to get one of these water purification tools because they are simple and quick to use. It would save a lot of time rather than boiling the water.

 

 

Macartney, A. (2014). Water Purification Now Made Easy. Ottawa Outdoors, [online] p.2 pages. Available at: http://www.ottawaoutdoors.ca/ [Accessed 29 Oct. 2014].



Attacked by a Tiger Shark by Hoku Aki

                                                                      Rating***

This article is about a 17 year-old boy named Hoku who was lying on his surfboard with his legs dangling in the water of Kauai's Brennecke Beach. As he was waiting for a set of waves to surf on, his leg got caught in a 13 foot long tiger shark’s mouth. The shark bit him and pulled him under water aggressively “like a mad dog with a stuffed animal”. Hoku punched the shark in the nose, but it wouldn’t let go; he later started tearing its gills, but the shark just got angrier and more aggressive. He then reached for an eye and pulled right out. After a harsh over 1 minute under water attack, he still managed to get to the surface of the water and used the board to paddle back to shore and call for help. Hoku was later notified that the bottom of his leg was gone, the shark bit him right below the knee, and he has lost 70 % of his blood in this shark attack. After two surgeries and a month and a half, Hoku surfed with his prosthetic leg.

This article is a great reference to the way a person should respond to a shark attack. Unlike bears, sharks don’t really believe the role of playing dead; to really get rid of a shark, the person’s response needs to demonstrate strength. I also learned, that all vicious animals have a weak spot; before a shark attack, the best way is to punch the shark at the tip of the nose. After a person has been bit, it is important to claw the gills or aim for the eyes. In conclusion, the first reaction in a shark attack is not to panic and show strength in order not to stay under water for long and suffocate.

Aki, Hoku. "Attacked by a Tiger Shark." Outside Live Bravely. 25 October 2007.  16 October 2014. <http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/outdoor-skills/survival/Attacked.html>.

Changing My Nutrition on the Bike By: Jenn K.

***

This article is about the importance of keeping hydrated and nourished while biking. The author explains that when she started going on longer bike rides she found that she was getting hungrier and thirstier. She was looking in cookbooks for lightweight filling foods she could bring biking; one of her biking friends offered her a rice cake. The author enjoyed the taste of the rice cake and that it was nutritious. It also has a higher water content which she liked because she would not have to stop and drink water as much.

I found this article very helpful because this snack will be good for lots of activities as well as biking. This will also be a good snack to bring when we start biking in class.

K., Jenn Changing my Nutrition on The Bike. (n.d) retrieved 10 16 2014, from 4 all outdoors Web Site: http://4alloutdoors.org/outdoor-articles/changing-nutrition-bike/

Get Wet: 6 Springtime Watersports-Cooper McKelvey

rating ****

Get Wet: 6 spring time water sports was clear and concise while offering a fair variety of lesser known water related sports. I found this to be very appealing and I might try a couple of them myself!

This article was very intriguing and informative, although it was less traditional and more of a list, I found it to be easy to read and most importantly it was interesting. This article covers six topics: canyoneering, kitesurfing, whitewater kayaking, river surfing, caving, and surfing. this list offers well known sports mixed with newer sports. old or new these are all interesting! This article goes over the risks, brief history, the idea/rules of the sport, and facts on how fun it may be. The article gives the title of the sport, the bio for the sport, and a link to a website for this sport. Very importantly these are all sports that are possible in canada, several in the Canadian Shield. The sports covered offer a variety of skill levels from novice to advanced which I found to be unbiased thus great.

In my opinion this article was easy to read, kept my attention, and had no pointless filler. Regardless of spring time, many of these sports are summer ready aswell. In general I liked it, the only problem I had was that the layout of the website threw me off a bit which was a shame.

Pam Johnson. Get Wet: 6 Springtime Watersports. Explore Magazine. May 9, 2014. Web. May 29, 2014.

How to Make and Repair Camping Equipment

Rating: ***

The article “How to Make and Repair Camping Equipment” teaches us an assortment of helpful tricks that one can use while camping. 

An example of one of the helpful pieces of advice written in this article is how to repair a damaged tent, and gives three examples as to how it may be damaged. It also gives a list of tools and materials you will need in order to repair your tent, and how much time it may take you to repair it. This format is repeated with two other tasks, such as: Making a tarp, and resoling hiking boots. At the bottom of the article it links you to other useful guides. Examples include but are not limited to how one might repair a bicycle and tips on how to maintain your pair of skis. 

By the end of reading the article, I was satisfied with what I had learned, but felt as though the solutions they represented to the situations they give rely much too heavily on other tools. I would have rather liked to see solutions that one can accomplish with less equipment and more on outdoor skills. Of course, this is just my opinion and you might find that this article peaks your interest.

adventure.howstuffworks.com. “How to Make and Repair Camping Equipment” June 5th 2011.

http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/hiking/how-to-make-and-repair-camping-equipment.htm

Getting Started Rock Climbing

Getting Started Rock Climbing by Nancy Prichard Bouchard
Rating: *****

“Getting Started Rock Climbing” was a very informative article. It listed and explained different types of rock climbing, climbing routes, type of gear, how to belay and many more interesting things.

I never knew there was so much to learn about rock climbing. When the article started talking about gear, it showed a picture on how it looks, how it’s useful and how you would use it. Such as a climbing harness, rock climbing shoes and climbing ropes. It taught you thoroughly how to belay someone with detail and how important it is to communicate with each other. This article also mentioned techniques to make climbing easier and made sure to include safety tips.

One thing I really liked about this article is that at the end it had a list of most frequently asked questions about rock climbing and gave useful answers. I would recommend this article to anyone who has never been rock climbing before because it was fascinating and enjoyable to read.

Bouchard, Nancy. "Getting Started Rock Climbing." Published by rei.com. 2013