Winter Climbing
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This is going to be my first time climbing through the winter and I'm just wondering at what point does the cold begin to diminish your fun while on the rock? |
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It's all about your individual tolerance for cold. I can boulder pretty happily in temps down to the high 20s with enough food, clothing, and hot tea (helps if it's not windy). I wouldn't climb on a rope in anything below 40 unless I was in full sun, though. And I know folks who won't go out climbing at all if it's below about 40. |
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there's this thing about how much the wind increases as you leave ground level. Working in a boom lift only 10 feet off the ground can be a tortuous freeze fest, while the guys on the ground are comfy. |
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My hands get super cold at first but then once the blood gets pumping they warm up a little near the top of routes. I wear fingerless wool gloves when climbing in cold temps and then shed them at the crux or once my hands warm up. You can climb more than you'd think with the right fingerless gloves. |
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Everyone is different. I'm headed to the Gunks tomorrow (predicted high 38), my boyfriend (usual partner) is staying home. I'm quite cold-hardy, he had problems when his hands touch cold rock. |
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If the rock is dry I don't care how cold it gets. Take your dog and cuddle. |
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It's more about belayer misery. A sleeping bag goes great lengths when belaying cold single pitch cragging. |
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Winter is the time for bouldering. It allows you to pack a lot into the short days, and it is also better suited for the cold temps. You don't need to touch cold rock for that long, and the cold helps you stick to little holds. |
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Jon Moen wrote:Winter is the time for bouldering. It allows you to pack a lot into the short days, and it is also better suited for the cold temps. You don't need to touch cold rock for that long, and the cold helps you stick to little holds. Or, since you are in New Hampshire, isn't it ice season now?I always figured winter was for easy/moderate trad and aid (when ice isn't available). Sub-zero rock is awful cold without gloves. |
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Harrison Harb wrote:This is going to be my first time climbing through the winter and I'm just wondering at what point does the cold begin to diminish your fun while on the rock?Harold, I started climbing in the late fall of 2008, and therefore was hooked come winter. I found a partner who climbed several times a week regardless of the weather. If you love climbing, there's absolutley no reason not to stay busy climbing through the winter! A few things that make life more enjoyable: SUN = FUN Bring a thermos of hot soup (tomato w/ cheyanne) or tea (Mate) Throw a chemical hand warmer in your chalk bag Bring a tarp to gear up and belay on (keeps the snow off your shoes and gear) To echo above: Attitude is everything! Have fun! |
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Dobson wrote: I always figured winter was for easy/moderate trad and aid (when ice isn't available). Sub-zero rock is awful cold without gloves.I guess it depends on how cold of a winter we are talking about. If "winter" means 35-45 Fahrenheit and dry/sunny (like in California), then bouldering is nice. If "winter" means 10-15 Fahrenheit and snowing (like in Monatana or northern New England), then you better keep your gloves on. When I lived in Vermont, I had a name for the couple of weeks in Nov/Dec when it was too cold and grey and damp to climb on rock, but proper winter conditions for ice climbing and skiing weren't happening yet. I called it "whiskey season" since it was the sad gap between rock season and ice season, where all you to do was to sit around and swill the whiskey. |
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on a cold winter day the East Peak Ampitheater area where Dul Goldar (sp?) is can heat up to 60 degs on a day in the 30's if there is a little to no breeze and a blue bird day... |
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thanks for all the feedback...I went out the other day in 32 degrees with sun. Seems like so long as the sun is on the rock it's no problem. It must be at least 10 degrees warmer on the sunny parts. |
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Harris check out lynn woods for some nice "sun" blocks and |
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If you're smart about it, you can climb in the winter in New-England no problem. I live in New Brunswick Canada and we have the same weather as New England. I rope climbed every month in 2011. It was -8C (18F) in the picture. |
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If you ever make it up to Rumney maincliff is like a sunbowl until about 2 pm and stays really dry, I have really bad circulation, but I've been going out pretty often the past two weeks. My strategy may seem weird, but I really like to dead hang on a jug for as long as I can and just tryn give myself the barfies, that usually gets the circulation ball rolling for my hands, like everyone else said though the rest is all about puffies, tea, warm gloves, and if your on a meat eating plan, lots of bacon in the morning. also bringing a jumprope is always a good back up if you start to get really cold. |
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yeah i was at main cliff yesterday...climbing in a t-shirt and elsewhere it was 35 degrees |
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do something easy to start out. get your hands really frozen. then warm them up. once your hands "know" that it's going to be really cold your body reacts and sends more blood there to keep them warm. i've bouldered all day in the low 30's and not needed gloves between problems. last 2 days at the gunks. mid 40's long sleeve heavy poly pro and a fleece vest was perfect |
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I always layer up with one or two pairs of long underwear. Keeps me warm and does not hamper movement so much. |
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The cold starts to diminish your fun as soon as you let it. Alpine training! I find that the cold is the most difficult before I've left the house. :) Once underway to the crags, it doesn't seem to matter. |
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I'll echo what AntinJ said, and add that fingerless mitts and a windproof hat are huge helps. So is an extra pair of wool socks in case your first pair get wet in snow, hopefully on the approach and descent. |