2009

Climbing in the Austrian Mountains with pedar system

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Created on Friday, 03 April 2009 15:00

It is a common misconception about rock-climbing that the decisive factor for success is finger-strength. Especially with non-overhanging routes, the majority of the climber's weight rests on his feet. To get as much weight as possible on footholds that are sometimes more slim than the spine of a cd case, climbers wear specially designed shoes, the construction of whose sole is designed to enable the climber to concentrate all weight at the very tip of his toes by distributing the resultant pressure throughout the foot.

The measurements taken here can show in detail the relative success of that distribution and the development of pressure within the shoe in different climbing situations. This could lead both to improved constructions and a better understanding of the impact of prolongued climbing on the climber's feet.