Movement Monday | Snow/Mixed Climbing Tool Tips
Tapping the head of one tool on the other to aid in a tool placement is a key skill in the mountains.
Here are some examples:
- 🎥 Drive a tool into snow that isn’t firm enough for a pick placement
- Delicate Ice | Where a swing with a tool could compromise what little ice you have to work with. Instead try placing the tool lightly with just a flick of the wrist, and then giving a few taps on the head if needed.
- Mixed Terrain | If you are sticking your pick in cracks and mossy choss, a few head taps can make for a more secure placement.
- P.S. - Don’t forget to use your tool hammer to test pitons you come across in the mountains. Do this by first giving a few hits to the piton to hear how it sounds. You’re going for a high pitched “ting!”. Hammer until the pitch stagnates.
#movementmonday #seekqualifiedinstruction #mountainguides #climbingtechtips #mixedclimbing #mountaineering #rockymountainnationalpark
Movement Monday | Rope Positioning when Leading
@ewhewell demonstrates some exceptional rope positioning when leading on the classic country club crack.
In the first clip, Eric sticks a high step with his right foot. The thing to note here is that his foot went under the rope instead of stepping over it. (Which could of flipped him upside down in the event of a fall.)
In the second half of the video, Eric moves left and repositions his right foot above the rope so that the rope now is positioned in between his legs and in the best position in case of a fall.
In general, keep the rope between you and the rock!
#movementmonday #alteryouraltitude #rockclimbing #climbingtechtips #tradclimbing #tradlead #bouldercanyon #castlerock #climbing
Movement Monday | Creating an Organized Belay when Winter Climbing
Being organized is a key factor to efficiency in the mountains, especially in the winter. Take the time to create a roomy belay ledge for you and your partner. This will facilitate faster transitions overall, less chance of dropping things, and more comfort which can lead to a better belay. An adze can work well to chop out a ledge but these days a lot of modern ice tools don’t have one. You can use the pick, the backside of your tool, or just your boots which is usually our go to.
Comment and show us a picture of your organized belay ledge!
#movementmonday #alteryouraltitude #iceclimbing #iceclimb #techtips #winterclimbing #mountaineering #getoutside #climbing
Footwork - Movement Monday
#movementmonday
Shifting Your Weight
It is important to be able to shift your weight onto your feet through movement of the hips. Utilizing a high step, as shown here, the climber weights the foot, initiates movement with their hips and is able to shift their weight completely onto their opposite foot, without pulling with their arms.
Smearing 101
✔️ Look for subtle indentations/depression/concavities in the stone.
✔️Place your foot and "roll" the rubber of your climbing shoe onto the depression by lowering your heel.
✔️The more surface contact the better.
✔️ Try to apply pressure down and in with your hips over your ankles.
✔️ The more pressure that's applied, the better the rubber will stick (and colder the temperatures).
#movementmonday - Protecting the Leader 🧗♂️
The crux of the climb is the first 15-20 feet of the pitch. The leader has elected to pre-clip both bolts to protect them from hitting the ledge below. This eliminates any hazard of hitting the ledge if only the first bolt was clipped thus allowing them to climb confidently through the crux.
🔎 Can you guess the climb?
Head guide @ewhewell showing us how it’s done!
📸 @nomadlife_photography
#movementmondays #alteryouraltitude #seekqualifiedinstruction #amga1979 #rockclimbing #coloradoclimbing #leadclimbing #rockclimbinginstructor
Climbing the First Flatiron
