BURSTIn cold temps, sport climbing demands more attention and preparation to staying warm than bouldering. When bouldering, you tend to be more continuously active, which is good for staying warm. In sport climbing, you swing back and forth between climbing and standing around belaying.
Compared to bouldering, sport climbing demands more attention and preparation for staying warm when climbing in cold temps. When bouldering, you tend to be more continuously active, which is great for keeping warm. In sport climbing, you swing back and forth between climbing and standing around belaying, sometimes for a prolonged period. A long belay in the cold after a sweaty climb too often leads to numbing out during the next attempt on the wall
Luckily, with some careful prep beforehand and some tactics at the crag, staying warm while sport climbing in the late fall, winter, or early spring can be nearly as comfortable as climbing in fairer temps. This is great news because the cold season often offers the best friction of the year, making climbs feel at least a grade or two easier than in the summer. Here are 10 tips for staying warm at your next cold weather sport climbing session.
1. Warm boots, socks, and mitts
When climbing in the cold, I often wear more substantial boots for warmth rather than my lightweight approach shoes. I also find it a good idea to pack a warm pair of socks for the crag. I don’t like hiking in with big wooly socks as they can be a tad uncomfortable, but they’re great for keeping feet warm when standing around. A warm toque and neck warmer goes a long way, as does a good pair of mittens, which are often better at keeping the fingers warm.
2. Multiple shirts
When route climbing in cold temps, I often pack two or even three pairs of shirts: one for the approach, one for climbing, and one for standing around belaying. That way, I don’t have to stand around belaying in the cold with a sweaty shirt. A dry shirt covered by a sweater and a jacket or two keeps the heat in while belaying.
3. Puffy pants
Puffy pants might seem like overkill (and they definitely look ridiculous), but it’s surprising how well they work at keeping you warm while belaying. Some puffy pants can be very expensive, but you can also pick up relatively cheap ones that do the trick just fine.
4. Electronic hand warmers
Chemical handwarmer packs work great, but using a new pack each time you climb can be quite expensive. Electronic hand warmers work incredibly well and they’re surprisingly inexpensive. I use the ones from Ocoopa and they’re excellent.
5. Hot drink
It can be tough to stay hydrated while bouldering in the cold. It’s not fun to drink ice-cold water when you’re trying to stay warm. Instead, bring a hot drink in a thermos. A warm snack goes a long way too.
6. Snack regularly
Staying warm in the cold burns a lot of energy. Keep your energy levels up by eating small snacks throughout your session. Try to avoid eating one big meal as this will divert a lot of your energy towards digestion, potentially making your extremities colder.
7. Take your climbing shoes off ASAP
When you’re finished with an attempt, take your climbing shoes off immediately and switch back into your socks and boots. The less time you keep your cold feet cramped in climbing shoes with poor circulation, the better.
8. Keep your climbing shoes warm
After you take your climbing shoes off, don’t just leave them out in the cold. This will make them stiff and cold for your next attempt. The rubber won’t perform as well and your toes will numb out. Instead, keep your shoes close to your body inside your jacket.
9. Change up more frequently
In the summer, it’s not a big deal when your partner takes forever on their project, sussing moves and re-working sections. However, when it’s really cold out, it’s a better idea to change up more quickly. If you think you’re taking a long time on the wall, ask your belayer how they’re doing. Don’t hesitate to tell your partner when you’re getting cold and switch up soon would be nice.
10. Do some active warm-up exercises
After a round of belaying, do some exercises to warm-up your body and fingers before getting on the climb. This is a great idea year-round, but it’s even more important in the winter. Do some squats, jumps, push-ups, and get on the hangboard. Getting the body warm prevents numbing out on the climb and is good for injury prevention.
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