How to crack climb for beginners reddit. Climbers roam the country, from Utah to California to .
How to crack climb for beginners reddit. Climbers roam the country, from Utah to California to This dude is climbing a crack, which requires its own particular set of techniques where you jam your hands, fingers and toes into the crack and then squeeze or twist them to generate outwards force on the rock to hold you in place. 4 crack. In the spirit of that, what is a decent mountain to do in winter? I have experience with layering so I won't freeze to death unless something unexpected comes up. Apr 18, 2019 · Just tried to climb a hand crack at my local gym and got up about 5 feet before I stopped due to searing foot pain. Make your reservations right when they release the dates (summer / fall the year before). I'm sure you know that climbing outside is much different than climbing inside, but until you actually go climb outside you really can't understand just how different they are. Keep in mind if you are not used to that style of climbing (granite cracks and slabs with micro-holds) you'll likely be at much lower grade initially. 1. 13 votes, 13 comments. Anyone recommend anywhere to go indoor climbing in Leeds for absolute beginners? We have no equipment or experience but want to try something new and climbing appeals to us! Or can anyone recommend anything new to try in leeds or just generally on a side note? Bored of doing the same things of a weekend and want to get out more! Archived post. Small things like feeling how to spread your fingers, layering your palms and fists correctly during jams, the right angle and amount of torque so your shoes take as much of the brunt as possible during laybacks. A nice helping of crack climbing on the tower, including off-width cracks. Climbing is a sport with a great community, and you'll meet people and get good advice just by being around. The home of Climbing on reddit. Hi! I live in DC and would love to star rock climbing. Sep 12, 2023 · Crack climbing is a form of rock climbing in which the climber jams their body into cracks in the rock in order to ascend. Crack climbing - climbing a wall using a system of cracks in the rock face by jamming your hands and feet (and other bits) into the crack itself Jamming - a method of climbing to exploit cracks in the rock. Figure out how to climb and self rescue on a 2 pitcher and then go climb a 8+ pitch sport/mixed route. My main question is what cars should I buy (Silver 2 currently) but if you could also give me some beginner tips that would be appreciated too. We've decided we would like to actually try outdoor climbing, but neither of us has a good idea where to start. Therefore Crack Climbing Technique. I like having things written down, so I made notes of the relevant information from the video (and some of the comments made by others) and thought I'd share it here. If you've never touched features like that it may be a struggle for you. This is the second time I've trained cracks and the first time I could hardly get above 6-7ft. When you’re face climbing, you ascend the rock by pulling on holds like edges or jugs. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. See full list on rei. Been climbing for almost 4 years. The easiest area to get to is the lower town wall, which has a huge assortment of classics. Typically boulderers prefer something more aggressive but at the end of the day it's what feels best on your feet IMO. It's difficult to practice crack climbing in the gym. La Sportiva Theory Review This is my first crack at a shoe review, I wanted to give an insightful perspective of my experience with this climbing shoe for new and experienced climbers alike. 146 votes, 11 comments. " I’ve been crazy about climbing the crack at my gym, and would love to climb real cracks outdoors! What Joshua Tree alternatives are there around Southern California for crack climbing in the summer? Any recommended routes? Looking for easier crack climbs since I’m still new to it, i. Expert-recommended books for IAS aspirants in 2025. Find guides and more. Serious, structured training is for more advanced climbers. Check /r/climbing for more content. Here’s a list of some things to know before you go. I am relatively new to smoking crack and need some tips on how to get a good hit. My body and brain does not compute it. Any tips on how to heat the Hello r/climbing! My friend and I have been climbing for a couple months now, 2 or 3 times a week. Unfortunately the only cracks at my gym are slightly inclined, and about halfway between hand and fist cracks which makes me think they are intended for people with experience climbing cracks already. Ive dabbled in in it and can layback a 5. The climbing community was relatively small until the 1970s, when the So due to some unforseen circumstances I won't be able to crack climb this season (someone shat in the offwidth at our crag). Aug 5, 2022 · How to get started climbing cracks, from finger-size to the wide stuff, and the sizes in between. Climbing is quite stressfull fro the tendons and those take a lot longer to heal compared to muscles. Not Reddit's rock climbing training community. We will both be in Joshua Tree at the beginning of May for a You're right the the easiest route up the tower is 5. Climb with people who are better than you, who can encourage and push you in your progression. Jan 21, 2021 · Trad climbing is dangerous, fun, and addictive. The first time I could hardly get above 6-7ft and was really stoked about getting as far as I did. PS: both of these shoes are more geared towards sport climbing or crack climbing. The motivation comes from trying some trad climbing at RRG with some friends and experiencing how fun it was! Feb 9, 2020 · Have you ever looked at an aesthetic crack climb, but had no idea how to crack climb? Where are the holds? Where can you put your feet? But crack climbing is one of the most rewarding and beautiful ways to climb, often on radiant sandstone walls in the desert or gorgeous alpine granite, following perfect splitters up endless rock faces. It's where I first learned how to jam cracks. When you’re crack climbing you instead wedge your hands and feet into the space in the crack to move upwards. Just tried to climb a hand crack at my local gym and got up about 5 feet before I stopped due to searing foot pain. Dec 16, 2019 · Get the local scoop on rock climbing in Colorado including info on the best rock climbing areas and must-send routes for all abilities. Hello! My girlfriend and I have been climbing indoors pretty regularly for the last three years. This is the smaller rock climbing community on reddit. Some contexts, this was my second time training crack climbing. The Crack Climber’s Technique Manual: Jamming with Finesse, written by crack master Kent Pease, is a book designed to help new climbers learn how to crack climb, and to teach seasoned crack climbers how to up their grade. Oct 18, 2024 · Learn the basics of crack climbing, why it's essential, and how mastering jamming techniques can improve your climbing skills. We are good belayers and are planning on taking a leading course soon. Even if you have really, really strong technical skills in the gym, learning how to apply those skills to actual rock is not something that happens overnight. 6, 5. com Jun 26, 2025 · Squats make you stronger but that's the wrong posistion when you climb. 10a. I need some tips on how to actually get a good hit without burning it all up. 7) at Leavenworth compare to those at Index? I've climbed a couple of easy routes at Index, such as Pisces, Great Northern Slab, Corner Flash, Hag Crack, and Senior Citizens in Space. Just started going to a bouldering gym. . Ive been climbing for 3ish years now and I feel that it is time I learn how to do it. A subreddit dedicated to discussing and reviewing climbing shoes. I recently installed the game and I barely know what I'm doing. 4M subscribers in the climbing community. A couple of good, easy beginner crack problem are Easy Crack V0, Easy Crack Traverse V1-, Blues Crack V2, Kashmir Crack V2/3, and Lost Digits V3 (look for the toe cam when you're going for the jug). Don't be afraid to take a rest day or week (s) if you need it! Better to skip a few sessions than several months worth! As a beginner beginner, you probably don't want to go too crazy with it. The solution is still my favorite sport climbing shoe that I have tried, precise and makes me feel confident on even the smallest feet. Also surprisingly durable for a high performance shoe, lasted 8 months before I resoled them could have probably pushed it another month or 2. We can both do a solid 5. If you climb enough trad (especially multipitch and alpine), you will encounter a "no fall zone" or panic situation. Finger injuries sneak up on you, and I don't know a better way for it to happen than through board climbing 3-5 days a week. Big wall is a spectrum from bolted 8 pitchers to trad ''trade routes'' with easily accessible clear beta and maybe even fixed anchors, aid climbs that 5. 9 and are pretty steady on 5. Hey I’m a new climber and I was wondering if people had some wisdom to share and what you wish you knew when you started rock climbing. 10a/b with almost no success. Also: How to use your feet in cracks. 7ish but if you haven't ever climbed outside on real rock it could still be a real challenge for you. Warm up with lots of easy routes, building up to moderates, then hard flashes. HOWEVER, I love the styles that kilter, MB, and tension have and think that they're what got me to some of my goals. I feel like the 359 votes, 47 comments. Reddit's rock climbing training community. Everyone’s route to trad climbing will be slightly different, and our guide can help! When you feel comfortable with classic mountaineering you can start rock climbing in order to train for more technical summits, usually the ones involving long glaciated approaches and several pitches of ice climbing like Puntiagudo or Corcovado. 9 free climbers spend 4 days slogging on (may have bolt ladders, may have run out aid on sketchy fifi hooks) and committed alpine faces with THE subreddit for people addicted to crack (climbing)! Nov 8, 2024 · Whether you want to fine-tune gear placement, anchors, or crush your first multi-pitch, this comprehensive guide to trad climbing has it all. Already had climbed a few time occasionally, but now I bought my first pair of shoes and plan on going more regularly. This guide walks you though the types of holds, body position, and footwork. Definitely worth a whole day and you can work on crack climbing skills if you aspire to get into trad. I Nov 28, 2021 · Discover all you need to know to start indoor or outdoor rock climbing: types of climbing, gear, practical tips We've got you covered! To be honest I would actually recommend to climb less, 3 times a week is a lot even for expereince climbers. Absolutely love it. Brief History: Rock climbing in Squamish started in the late 1950s and rose in popularity after the highway from Vancouver was built. I have looked at the Black Diamond gloves, Ocun Pros, Splitter II (outdoor research) but not sure what to go with. Once you get more proficient, hop on Beam Me Up Scotty V3+. Aug 8, 2018 · That is where The Crack Climber’s Technique Manual came in handy. 3M subscribers in the climbing community. Climbers roam the country, from Utah to California to Jun 30, 2020 · This dude is climbing a crack, which requires its own particular set of techniques where you jam your hands, fingers and toes into the crack and then squeeze or twist them to generate outwards force on the rock to hold you in place. I've tried a couple routes at my local climbing gym, 5. 8 and below (but if you have favorite crack routes in the area that are harder lmk as well for Climbing mt rainier (edit with a guide) doesn’t require experience but strong physical fitness is a must as well as $2500 or so for guide and rental equip. Dedicated to increasing all our knowledge about how to better improve at our sport. Cracks are usually protectable with traditional climbing gear. And yes we are scared of falling. Like all climbing, crack climbing necessitates moving from a good balanced position over your feet, thru some (often awkward) transitional movement, on to the next balanced position over your feet. From the best trad climbing shoes to your first rack to how to train for crack climbing, we have the beta you need to start. I did plenty of hiking in the White Mountains, NH last winter Sep 12, 2019 · So you want to trad climb. Jun 1, 2013 · My body and brain does not compute it. Jun 12, 2025 · We put 23 pairs of climbing shoes to the test on boulder problems, sport climbs, and traditional routes. Usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. People saying that crack climbing is harder than sport climbing at a given grade generally just aren't good crack climbers. A little background, I started climbing about a year ago with a couple groups of friends. The crack is a on vertical wall, starts out with thin hands then slowly widens to about perfect hands and at the top is fairly wide. I feel like I am melting it too quickly or burning it up. Hey r/mountaineering, I'm interested in taking up mountaineering! Me and my friend both want to take it up as a hobby. Maybe you got off route, maybe the only placement in a section requires a piece that you placed earlier on the pitch, maybe you kicked a cam out of the crack while in the middle of a crux, maybe you're struggling with a fiddly placement while pumping out. Whenever I see a post asking questions about climbing X mountain and what to bring, people say that even asking such a question shows inexperience and to give up. (Would love to go Jan 22, 2020 · Widely regarded as one of the finest crack climbers in the world, Pete Whittaker—part of the Wide Boyz duo—has made made his name through dozens of cutting-edge first ascents and hard repeats. I know the solutions aren't ideal for this type of climbing but it's what I had for this session. 5. Usually climb 3 to 4 times a week if life permits. Can anyone advise on which rock climbing gyms in Phoenix are good for both adults and kids? I built a master list of climbing skills for teaching friends, from single pitch sport climbing, to leading ski trips in complex avalanche terrain and first aid. I wanted to make sure my skin was kept in shape in the meantime so I came up with the idea to use my belt sander to keep my skin in shape for next season. Lattice Training recently released a new video on their Ultimate Guide to Climbing Skin Care. Any advice, site or video you could recommend for people starting from scratch? Also, are there any rock climbing gyms around DC that might be good for beginners? Thanks!! :-) I’m so confused about their target audience! I definitely agree that it can’t be very appealing or logical to non-climbers, but it’s also not really right for diehard long-time climbers either, but “beginner climbers” feels like too small of a niche for a big budget show…? I sorta think they should’ve included much more explaining/layman’s terms, and really gone broad, since I The tendency for new crack climbers is to high step like in sport climbing to the highest foot lock, but it's really strenuous to put weight back on that high foot and it hurts like fuck. Finger locks, hand jams, fist jams, off-width and chimney techniques explained Hello! As the title states I am a beginner to crack climbing specifically (have been bouldering/top rope for awhile) I have only been using a wooden crack trainer at the gym and I am getting much better at everything that is like thin hands up to about cupped hands. My biggest concern is to avoid overuse injury, as my forearms muscles/tendons are currently sore for a good 4 days after a session. Hello everyone! I'm an aspiring trad climber and would love some feedback on how to improve at crack climbing. Also, if you can afford it, taking a beginner's class is a good way to learn how to belay and get tips on how to get started climbing. (Would love to go 173 votes, 88 comments. Jun 3, 2025 · Discover where to go rock climbing in Washington, from easy routes to more challanging adventures. We have What were the mistakes you made as a beginner? Small, big, form, etiquette? Hopefully it's not all horror stories of falling poorly! I would say, just climb, stretch, and do some moderate cross training like pushups and stuff to balance out. 9 crack like a champ, but I really want to get into crack climbing. I was wondering how many times per week to target. There are 3 guide services IIRC, I used Alpine Ascents Train more than you think you have to Start climbing, you'll figure out very quickly what your skill level is. But once I get to fist jams I struggle a lot. So I have looked back at previous posts and some other sources online and wondered what the new/current opinions are on the best crack climbing gloves. He joins us today to share the five basic rules of crack climbing from his new book, "Crack Climbing: The Definitive Guide. Atleast with trad climbing you can carry a quadruple rack and saw up a 5. What would be some good beginner hikes/mountains to do in the Pacific Northwest area. This means you might have to climb with slightly sore forearms for a couple weeks before your body catches up. You need to be able to Seconding (thirding?) the "just show up" advice. I feel like I am burning it up and wasting it. 2 training days a week (one for HB and one for climbing) is perfectly reasonable for a beginner climber. We both are very limited in terms of technicals skills, however we are both in good shape. That being said, it's the best climbing in Washington. I've read up a bit on the technique for footwork and tried to apply it. Don't step too high, don't reach too high, let your body sense guide you. 173 votes, 88 comments. I bought a rope, and we are both belay certified, but that's about the end of our knowledge of how it works. I posted this to r/climbharder, but I feel like this subreddit will have a larger group of people who crack climb. The most common recommendation I have seen is to climb ~three days a week for ~two hours max (dependent on climbing intensity), with at least two sleeps between each climbing session. Learn how climb cracks from fingertips to chimneys. Jul 31, 2025 · Looking to crack UPSC? Discover the best UPSC preparation books for beginners in Prelims & Mains. But I quite literally have no idea where to start. I will mostly be training indoor on a “crack machine” or some homemade crack hangboard in the future. What you're saying is only true if you're so poor that you can't buy the few basic items sport climbing requires. May 2, 2024 · Squamish is one of the best places in North America for rock climbing, but like all places there are a few things to know before visiting. I recommend climbing at least a year or two before you start doing any serious campusing or fingerboarding. I am a beginner myself and they gym is a great place to learn. Limit your climbing to around 1-2 a week should be enough and with enough rest you actually feel a lot stronger. I will put pretty decent sized rocks in my glass pipe and sometimes I don’t get a big smoky exhale. This part summer we went on a guided two week hike and did some mountaineering/hiking. These were our favorites. Jan 29, 2021 · Get the scoop on all things Moab climbing including info on the best rock climbing areas and routes you can't miss when climbing in Moab. Feb 14, 2022 · Learn to climb by starting with the fundamentals. Lots of room to improve on both technique and strength, but we're getting there. Rad. e. The gym you sign up for will grade their problems and you'll settle into a range where you know which grade you can do easily and which is more of a challenge or too difficult to try. In all seriousness, like all climbing, time and technique will assist to reduce the damage of crack/off-width climbing. If you really can’t climb more than once a week, my biggest advice would be to get a hangboard to use at home. Tendons take a lot longer to develop than muscles and it's easy to overdo it and hurt yourself. I figured this would also serve as a good resource for those searching the sub for tips on managing their skin in the future, as it Hi All, I've been climbing for about 2 months, and I really want to get into crack climbing. At the level you're climbing at now and looking to climb, technique is 95% of your success so don't worry about training, worry about getting better at reading and climbing cracks of all sizes. Beginner routes difficulty - Index vs Leavenworth How do the easy routes (5. The climbing is very beta intensive once you get above 10b, and you have to have good crack climbing and rope management skills. Should you wait for the soreness to be over to climb As a beginner I would definitely start at a rock climbing gym as they will teach you about safety, gear and will often have classes and allow you to meet people. Climb consistently to build up a base level of forearm endurance and recovery. dgxerspjicexwndfotgkwumxmhnjaqhzfodtnbnnwhueprcznh