climbing in the dead of winter

[caribe]

It is getting cold. Climbing bums think about getting their lives in order, Miguel's closes, the leaves fall and toads and snakes scurry and slither to sleep in hopes that the icy hand of death allows them to abide for the sunny days. I tend to climb year round, but admittedly climbing in some of this nasty ass weather is beyond the pail. I throw the seasonal heat and cold in with the grade and pit myself against these elements which together aspire to prevent the send.

It is amazing when you make a good day out of it after you start out struggling on a warm up a few grades below your potential. You were thinking about giving up and you were wondering how the hell you were going to do on something harder without the obvious advantage of fingertips. The fingertip miraculously recover to the backdrop of strident, victorious classical music.

I have seen some pretty disparate desperate methods to deal with the cold. People are jogging back and forth, people (Michele!) climb with warm rocks in their chalk bags, hand warmers, hot chicken soup etc. Anybody have anything sure fire to combat the cold?

[Crankmas]

testosterone

[bcombs]

Coleman Sport Cat, Hand Warmers in the chalkbag, and pure determination.

[512OW]

Southern bouldering.

[der uber]

The sun. I know what you're thinking - "It's like a billion light miles away!". Seriously though, the sun will help keep you warm.

In fact, as you ascend the route you will reap the sun's benefits the higher you go, because you will keep getting closer to the sun.

[Crankmas]

bcombs- if you get a chance go to Joe Kinder's blog- there is a photo of a Coleman heater- is this the one you refer to?

[mcrib]

A thin layer of lard smeared all over the body works wonders

[Danny]

In fact, as you ascend the route you will reap the sun's benefits the higher you go, because you will keep getting closer to the sun.

sounds good to me, your duber

[Pete]

ask the lurkist about his portable oven - he puts gloves, shoes, etc. in it at the crag...it might bake cookies as well...

thermos of hot soup/tea/coffee, hand warmers, south facing rock... and just pick your days wisely. some of my best climbing days ever have been in january in the red -- perfect climbing weather...

or, just come play soccer in the winter...

[DriskellHR]

days like these are my best days climbing. Sounds of ice crashing down from the cliffs as the sun warms them, and snow falling in the evening as you finish your last pitch........ bliss. who needs to be warm?

[Rollo]

Cold blows.

But who can stop.

[ditzywonder]

how about just not being a pussy

[SCIN]

Taking a jog before a redpoint is good. Numb up at least once. Portable heater to make hot rocks. Keep the shoes in your down jacket between burns. Man up.

[Brentucky]

caribe, you wuss, you can't call this past sunday cold! and where exactly do you find "strident" classical music? is that what's in your head making you crazy? by the way, stop using words that i have to look up!

[anticlmber]

layers, especially a good vest. a hat, sun, not wearing a dress, coffee is key so climb with someone who owns a thermos. grit and determination, sex with a man, and hand warmers. climbing in small numbers so you can keep moving. also climbing more moderate so you can just climb and move.