Rock and Chains
Learn to move through chain and ladder sections, choose a helmet and prepare for rocky, exposed hiking routes.
Hiking through chain sections: footwork, balance and when to turn back
On steep rock, pulling yourself up by a chain can tire your arms and leave you with less control over your feet. Slow do…
Climbing and descending trail ladders: three points of contact
A fixed ladder gives you regular places to put your feet, but wet rungs, a heavy pack or a difficult transition at the t…
Footwear for rocky trails: sole stiffness, grip and fit
When a shoe slips on rock, look at the surface, the way you placed your foot and the shoe itself. The stiffness of the w…
Gloves on rocky trails: when they help and what to look for
Gloves can protect your hands from rough surfaces and cold. They also change how well you feel a small hold. Choose a pa…
Fear of heights on rocky trails: practise on easy ground and know when to stop
If you freeze before a rocky or chain section, stop where you’re secure and tell the group. Exposure and uncertain holds…
Crowded rocky trails: where to wait and what to say
A queue can leave several hikers standing on cramped footholds at a rocky or chain-assisted section. Where you wait and …
Rockfall on hiking trails: when to wear a helmet
Wear a mountaineering helmet on rocky or chain-assisted routes with a risk of falling rock or head impact. Put it on and…
Choosing a mountaineering helmet: terrain, standards and fit
A helmet can reduce the severity of some head impacts on rocky and chain-assisted routes. Choose one intended for your a…
Your first chain-assisted section: choosing where to practise
For your first chain-assisted hike, choose terrain you can assess and leave safely. A short chain may help with balance,…
Descending rocky terrain: footing, fatigue and when to turn back
A descent can be more demanding than the climb when footholds are hard to see or legs are already tired. Nagano Prefectu…
Wet rock on hiking trails: when to turn back and how to move
Rain can turn a familiar rocky step into a difficult one. Water, mud or moss can change the grip, and a chain or handhol…
Trekking poles on rocky trails: when to put them away
Trekking poles can help on suitable walking terrain. On rock, their tips can slip or snag, and carrying them leaves less…
Backpacks on rocky trails: balance and snagging
On rocky or chain-assisted sections, a backpack can restrict your reach or catch on rock and metalwork. A shifting load …
Getting into rock climbing as a hiker
Rocky ridges and chain sections can make you curious about foot placement, balance and climbing. Those skills can be pra…
Bouldering and hiking: movement skills they share
Bouldering can give you a place to practise foot placement and balance, which also matter on rocky trails. A gym lets yo…
Harnesses and ropes on mountain routes: deciding when they are needed
Some rocky ridges, snow routes and difficult traverses require skills beyond ordinary hiking. Find out before departure …
Personal attachment in the mountains: what self-belay means
On rocky routes, “self-belay” can describe several different systems. This article deals with personal positioning at a …
Two exposed ridges in the Northern Alps: Ōkiretto and the Gendarme
The Ōkiretto and the Gendarme are two well-known rocky sections of Japan’s Northern Alps. For either route, check the ex…
Rocky routes on Mount Togakushi and Mount Myōgi
Mount Togakushi and Mount Myōgi both have exposed rocky routes that demand more than a few previous chain sections. The …
Mount Ishizuchi and Mount Tsurugi: chains and ridge walking in Shikoku
Mount Ishizuchi in Ehime and Mount Tsurugi in Tokushima offer different terrain. Ishizuchi’s Jōju route has four steep c…
Accidents on rocky trails: where to slow down or turn back
On rocky trails, assess where a slip could turn into a fall, whether handholds and footholds are sound, and whether you …
Fear on exposed rock: how to pause and decide
On an exposed ridge or steep rock, you may tense up, shake or hesitate. Pause when you can do so securely. Check what th…
How to choose a course for rocky trails or climbing
If a chain section feels awkward or you find it hard to descend steadily, an instructor can watch how you move and help …
Practising for rocky trails at a gym and outdoors
Before a hike that includes steep rock, practise finding footholds, transferring weight and coming down with control. Ch…
How to bypass rocky sections and choose alternative trails
Some mountains have marked routes around a rock step, chain section or exposed ridge. When planning a hike, check whethe…