It's hot, and yet we climb

Southern NM is burning up these days, but I'm not going to stop climbing because of it. Aside from the obvious (seek shady climbs, keep hydrated, climb extremely early/late) does anyone have any tips on how they continue to climb even when you're afraid the rubber on your shoes will melt?

For my recent sessions at Hueco, I take a fair amount of frozen water. Even if the problem I'm working is ridiculously hot, a swig of ice-cold water does miracles, and with a big enough chunk of ice, will last all day.

Get up and on the road VERY EARLY. Start climbing at first light.

Las Vegas, Nevada is hot as hell....

It may sound like overkill to some, especially men, but on 100+ degree days on a multi-pitch with lots of sun exposure.....

• I always wear a long sleeve SPF 30+ shirt up to my neck.
• Sunglasses
• A generous amount of SPF 50+ sunscreen to my face,before I leave home.
• A suncreen stick in my pocket to re-apply every hour or so.
• Lots of ice water, and ice cubes in my Camelbak.
• I keep a frozen bottle of water or gatorade in the bladder of my Camelbak (I have the 'wide mouth' style opening) so if I unknowingly suck up all my water, I at least know that I have that spare bottle still. It also helps to keep my water very cold all day, and at the end of the day the fluid in the spare bottle is still ice cold, and slushy which is a real treat in the end!
• A frozen gallon of water at the base of the route for my partner, and I to chug on, and to fill up our Camelbaks before we start the hike out. Also, in the case of someone suffering heat exhaustion or heat stroke ;Ice water poured on the groin, and armpits will lower your body temperature rapidly.
• I haven't done this for climbing, but in my desert romping days I used to carry a small squirt bottle of water to mist my face when I felt overheated. I may start to bring a pocket sized squirt bottle up climbs this summer.
• I wear thin white socks,ankle high, as the black rubber on climbing shoes gives off intense heat to my feet on 100+ days.

ahhh...to think i once prefered warmer temps for climbing. now anything just above the point my finger scream in pain from the cold is perfect.

frozen water is definitely a trick i need to remember. not too sure about long sleeves though. but sweat may be better than skin cancer!

I find that scotch and pot keep the warmer temps at bay. Curiously enough, it also works for cooler temps.

It was a hot one today in Boulder and unfortunately due to non-existent raptors I was only able to solo the First and Second Flatirons. Oh well, I guess in August the "Sunday Morning Service" will include the Third as well.

Some people need church, I go directly to God.

I have a thought for you Aaron, head North! There are still a few spots in northern NM that aren't torching. Went to El Rito this weekend, though still warm, wasn't deadly! Let me know if you ever wanna come and climb up here! I know its probably a hell of a drive for you though. Wish the tower would open up, that's up high as well and you can find shady aspects.

Tony

What about Night climbing. I overheard some folks down here saying they had recently done some. They attempted Sugarloaf, but had to bail due to winds/route-finding. Sounds like for these big trad routes, you want to be pretty familiar with the route before attempting it at night. I've never heard of any sport/boulderers doing night climbing but it seems like it would work alright. Take a good headlamp and enjoy the perfect temps.

My only experience with night climbing was pretty harrowing. After bailing from Wallface (Adirondacks) we decided to attempt the nearby Chapel Pond slabs by moonlight. Neither of us had ever climbed the slabs, but they looked pretty mellow and we chose one of the popular 5.6 routes. It only took two pitches for us to get way off route onto some 5.7 X slab, and some clouds came in, covered the moon and dropped some rain on us. Thankfully we made it to the next belay ledge where we bailed. As soon as we hit terra firma, the clouds parted and the slab was brilliantly lit by the moon reflecting off the pond.