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broganadams
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Sep 18, 2001, 9:55 PM
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Who climbs in the winter. Is it better or worse then. Is the rock too cold for your fingers? Where do you go in the winter and what do you wear?
[ This Message was edited by: fiend on 2001-10-18 23:11 ]
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wigglestick
Sep 18, 2001, 11:23 PM
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I climb in the winter quite a bit. Here in colorado we get 300 days of sunshine a year so it is easy. You are limited to areas that are below 7000 feet or so unless you want to do some alpine climbing. But if you did you wouldn't be asking this question. I usually wear long underwear and then a t-shirt and shorts or pants that you can stay mobile in. The most inportant thing is to bring a warm jacket with you to wear when you are not climbing. A hat is also super important. If you can keep your noggin warm your whole body stays warm. Some climbers (like Tommy Caldwell) say that climbing when the temp is right around freezing (32 degrees F) is perfect for hard climbing. They say your shoes stick better when it is cold and holds aren't as greasy.
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krillen
Sep 18, 2001, 11:26 PM
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We usually do top-rope aid climbing. Since the gusy I climb with are mainly trad gusy, it's a great way to practice usable gear palcements
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compclimber
Sep 18, 2001, 11:33 PM
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I'm right there with Wigglestick I live in Colorado too and the weather is usually awesome out here. I usually wear pants and a t-shirt but you always need a hat and jacket while belaying or for the approach.
On a little side note 5.10 says that "Steath C4 Rubber" (the kind used on 5.10 shoes) is at its stickiest and most abrasive right around 40 degrees fahranhiet.
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rck_climber
Sep 18, 2001, 11:38 PM
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Just to compliment the other two Colorado climbers, I too (in Colorado Springs) often get my best climbing in during the winter.
I find that the crowds are much thinner and I can get more climbs in in a day.
I usually wear shorts and a sweatshirt or tech fleece top. Agree w/ the hat recommendations for sure - that's what allows me to wear shorts. For some reason, my legs never seem to get cold. Will revert to wearing rappel gloves with a liner while I belay if it's really chilly, but always climb bare handed - nothing beats the grip and sensitivity of skin to rock.
Mick
[ This Message was edited by: rck_climber on 2001-09-18 16:38 ]
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fiend
Sep 19, 2001, 3:41 AM
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Here's the winter rock tip:
You know that fierce burn you get when the blood rushes back into your numb hands after the climb? When your hands feel great and warm but you're too pumped to climb?
If there is snow on the ground grab a handfull in your bare hands and hold it untill your hands go numb. Now drop the snow and wait for the burn to come and go.
Now you're ready to climb with warm hands.
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aulwes
Sep 19, 2001, 6:10 AM
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I've heard that in colder weather it is easier to climb because cold rock makes better friction.
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ericontherocks
Sep 19, 2001, 6:57 AM
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i live in Vermont so winter climbing is a bit to cold unless you ice climb although i have gone climbing all year round even while its snowing and 10 degrees that was too cold
I WISH I COULD PUT WINTER ON HOLD!!
at least for a while i do like to ski and snowboard to
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bart
Sep 19, 2001, 10:06 AM
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I don't like to climb with lots of clothes and for me the rocks are sometimes even too cold on a summer morning. In general, I can stand cold well, but my hands can't handle it after a while. Kinda stupid.
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dean585
Sep 19, 2001, 3:38 PM
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If you live in an area where winter climbing is hard, try ice, its different but just as much fun.
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vaness
Sep 19, 2001, 3:49 PM
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i live in NH so its very cold in the winter. although the first time i went climbing it was in the middle of december and i was wearing a t-shirt and it wasnt very cold at all. that as just a freak winter and this is going no where. its hard to climb in ther winter here. to cold.
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screamer
Sep 19, 2001, 4:39 PM
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Winter climbing is great in Utah. If its sunny and 30-50 degrees American fork is awesome (south facing walls) and so is Ibex..
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k2exp2010
Sep 19, 2001, 4:58 PM
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winters are the best. your hands go numb. this let's you jam into a crack and lean back without feeling the skin scraping and bleeding. of course, it hurts like hell when you get home, but it's worth it.
i try to use really thin, finger-less gloves if it gets too cold. but, usually, i go without one for the jams, thaw out before my turn to belay and then go back up again.
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andy_lemon
Sep 19, 2001, 6:38 PM
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I wear a down jacket, mountain hardware gloves, leashes around my wrist attached to ice axes and of course, Crampons... What am I. lol
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rck_climber
Sep 19, 2001, 7:29 PM
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um........
no, no, don't tell me.....
I'll get it here.......
......a .......a .....a trad daddy?
!!
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talons05
Sep 19, 2001, 8:30 PM
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I do a lot of climbing in the winter. I hate the heat and humidity of summer. I have found that the lessening of crowds, increase in shoe rubber friction, and lack of heat and bugs make winter my prime season. I have climbed my hardest routes right around 38 degrees F.
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rck_climber
Sep 19, 2001, 8:32 PM
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Yeah, here in Colorado if the sun's out, 38F is actually pretty warm - although stay out of the shade if you can.
Mick
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talons05
Sep 19, 2001, 8:35 PM
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Here's some winter climbing tis:
(Some are gleaned from an issue of Climbing Magazine that I read last year.)
1. Take a small camp stove out to the crag, and keep hot drinks like hot chocolate handy
2. Take some big, warm slippers or moccasins that you can slip over your climbing shoes to keep the piglets warm... (My own idea)
3. Keep a chemical handwarmer or two in your chalkbag (Warm your hands just a little in the middle of a climb!!)
4. Wear a fluffy down jacket or something while you belay. I would also suggest some liner gloves under leather rappel ones. (The liners tear up easily with rope drag) And wear a hat (80% of lost body heat goes right through the top of your head.)
5. When climbing, I like to wear fleece pants (a little baggy, and they stretch great) and some sort of power fleece type top. I have found that sometimes a fleece vest does the trick perfectly.
AW
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aulwes
Sep 19, 2001, 9:18 PM
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How safe is ice climbing? I'm notinterested in ice climbing Because i don't like really cold weather. But if you fall from leading and ice climb, do ice achors really hold?
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camhead
Sep 19, 2001, 10:19 PM
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winter? It's all about the canyon country baby!!!
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blackjack
Oct 19, 2001, 4:11 PM
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I climb in winter,
It's cold where i live .... cold enough that whithin 10 minutes u dun feel your fingers !
But thats cool though mostly i dun wear anything on for my hands, but as i said u can't last for more than 10 minutes in my area. In winter mostly i climb mountains and go to the GYM.
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mtnneer
Oct 19, 2001, 4:39 PM
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any real climber will climb year round'
even if (heaven forbid) you have to go to a gym. CO is awsome, just stay out of the shade,and wear a hat. If you wear fleece it's got to be windstopper. I wear fleece with light nylon shell. THe stove idea works well. It's great to rapp down to some hot tea.
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andy_lemon
Oct 19, 2001, 5:52 PM
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Yes the anchors really hold. Ice can be as solid as rock at times. Do remember: "A good climber uses 3 anchors". I live by that rule, even though most the time I'm set up on 1 anchor. lol It is a good rule though.
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woodse
Oct 19, 2001, 6:05 PM
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Another Colorado climber here. I'm not sure about the winter climbing as this will be my first winter climbing. I live at about 6500 feet so I'm hoping that I am still able to get some climbing in but we'll see. And if not I will have to swallow my pride and got to the gym. I HATE THE GYM!!!!
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pollux
Oct 22, 2001, 6:50 AM
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No problem here, Arizona rocks, 9 months of beautiful climbing weather, for 3 months of skimpy clothed women, what could be better? (oh, and good gyms during the summer)
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