So I've been climbing for about 5 years now, and trad/crack climbing is the new frontier for me which I started a little over a year ago.

I feel fine in a hand size crack and I have no trouble with the occasional fist size crack here and there, but I have a lot of difficulties with cracks between fingers and hands.

Can someone explain to me exactly how I'm supposed to do a ring-jam with my thumb, index, and middle fingers??? Pictures would be great!

I've learned the thumb lock, and while I'm still getting used to it, I like it so far. If my terms are correct a thumb lock is where you have the pad of your thumb on one side and the 1st knuckle on the other with a finger or two stacked on top to hold it in place.

Thanks

You might want to have a look at the classic article by Dale Bard,

www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/395619/Pumping-Cracks-with->>>

and Steph Davis' account of thin crack technique

www.lackhead.org/jamming/

rgold just posted the best two articles I've seen about crack climbing technique.. so, /thread.

But, what you're describing as a "thumb lock" is exactly how you do a ring lock/ring jam.

Nice rgold! Two good articles indeed. I remember reading that Steph Davis article when I first started climbing and thinking "Fudge that looks painful!" Then I remember getting on thin stuff at the Creek and saying "Fudge it really is painful!" duh