Recommended Climbing Sites

As rock climbing grows in popularity, so do the Internet sources pertaining to it. Yes, there is the ever famous rockclimbing.com, a site with links to climbing areas just about anywhere in the world, forums on every climbing topic imaginable, and some killer photos. But with size comes chaos and rc.com is a bit of a mess, making a nightmare out of navigating for specific issues or even finding the location of one's own past posts. The site also lacks the depth that it could have if more energy was devoted to specific climbing areas and routes as opposed to such topics as when to retire a rope. When looking for more detailed crag info, check out this new site:

www.mountainproject.com

This source, which is admittedly still being developed, has all the forums, photos, and crag info offered by rc.com minus the cluster. MP.com offers detailed crag info in an easy to understand format such as this Arizona spot: http://mountainproject.com/v/arizona/jacks_canyon/lost_world_at_jacks_canyon/105799753 .
Its coolest feature however is the user profile option. Anyone who so desires can create a detailed log of where they've climbed and what routes they've conquered. Here's one of my friend's pages: http://mountainproject.com/u/yoli/105861545?action=personalpage .....hope it's okay that I posted that Yoli....you rock Mad Dog!

Another easy-to-use and very helpful rock climbing-related source is http://www.climbinginjuries.com/. Like the modern classic "Snake on a Plane", this site delivers exactly what its address suggests and nothing more. Why bother searching through the forums of chockstone.com or rc.com when the three mostly common climbing injuries are catalogued at one place? Verdict: climb 'til you are injured (it will happen at some point.... that or you don't climb enough and should probably not quit your day job yet), and then exploit the hell out of this gem.

My final suggestion is hardly one I would call useful, but it is unique and it definitely puts the "R" in re-use. For what to do with your old and un-climbable rope, take a look at: http://www.roperugs.com/. Instead of just tossing his old ropes, this dude got creative and started making door mats out of them, a concept that makes perfect sense given how durable and long lasting our live lines are. He also make pet toys, leashes (I assume for dogs but to each his/her own), and Christmas wreaths. You can send him your own rope or order a product made from one of his. This entrepreneur definitely gets an "A+" for creativity, originality, and environmental sustainability.