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uhoh
Oct 11, 2007, 5:42 PM
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How do you guys protect yourself from the cold while rock climbing (not to be confused with ice climbing, which is really cold)? I'm hoping to go down to Devil's Lake for some soloing and although the forecast is predicting temperatures of low 60s, I'd rather go prepared to climb in 40 - 50 degree weather.
I'm mostly concerned about staying warm on a climb without restricting my body movements and protecting my hands from cold rock. Any suggestions?
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wsclimber
Oct 11, 2007, 5:54 PM
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1) chemical pack hand warmer(s) in chaulk bag.
2) down parka when not climbing.
3) keep climbing shoes in parka (when not climbing...) Cold shoes suck.
4) stay physced!
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dan2see
Oct 11, 2007, 6:10 PM
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I have a pair of wooly knit gloves, with the finger-tips cut off. It helps a lot, because the body of your hands can stay warm. This in turn helps keep your fingers warm. Your fingertips can handle the technical holds, right down to the freezing point.
You can buy them, I think they are called "working gloves", or you can snip them yourself.
There's a picture in Skinner's post from Mt. McGillivray
(Edited for spelling  .)
(This post was edited by dan2see on Oct 11, 2007, 6:12 PM)
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caughtinside
Oct 11, 2007, 6:11 PM
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beanie and belay gloves are key.
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pseudolith
Oct 11, 2007, 6:23 PM
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I'll give a second vote for hand warmers in the chalk bag. Also, 50 degrees may seem cold at first, but once you get moving, you're going to feel warmer and warmer. Dress in lightweight layers, so you can adjust to the conditions (sun, shade, morning chill, etc.)
Generally, what you're describing sounds like perfect conditions to me. Granted, I mostly boulder outside, but I find colder conditions to be better. When the Triple Crown rolls into HP40, I'm hoping for sunny skies and low-to-mid 40's. Perfect for sticking to sandstone slopers.
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zealotnoob
Oct 11, 2007, 6:37 PM
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Exactly.
Know what layers are required to be comfortable during each mode of activity...add or remove appropriate layers before you feel the need.
I.e. strip down to your base layer before you sweat out on the approach. When you stop moving, put your insulation layer on before you get cold... add or remove hat to tweak system.
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munky
Oct 11, 2007, 6:38 PM
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A flask of whiskey and a dark chocolate bar go a long way. Also, climbing as fast as possible is always good.
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xtremst80
Oct 11, 2007, 6:50 PM
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I will be at the lake this weekend too. If you are camping there the temp is going to be in the 30's friday night! just a heads up.
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the_climber
Oct 11, 2007, 7:00 PM
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uhoh wrote: Any suggestions?
Think like a Canadian.
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coastal_climber
Oct 11, 2007, 7:15 PM
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Nice hot tea.
>Cam
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ryanb
Oct 11, 2007, 7:23 PM
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Merino Wool socks, ankle and wrist warmers made from old socks (ankle warmers can be worn over socks or by themselves if your shoes are too tight).
Because the blood is close to the surface at your ankles and wrists keeping these areas warm has a huge effect...try running just your wrists under cool water the next time you are too hot.
Ryan
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hopperhopper
Oct 11, 2007, 9:48 PM
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good tip about keeping your shoes warm...never woulda thought of that (until i stuck my feet in them). and yeah, beanies work wonders.
i used to work outside during the winter alot, and i found (and this may sound like common sense, but) the best way to keep yourself warm is to never let yourself get cold. get toasty at your house/in the car, and then keep it...it's 10x easier to stay warm than to get cold and then try to warm up.
sorta like mountain biking. it's alot easier to conserve your momentum once you have it than to build momentum from rest.
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Myxomatosis
Oct 11, 2007, 10:09 PM
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I just climbed with a flu all weekend in some pretty cold conditions.
The thing that kept me warm the most was a beanie  It made a huge difference
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the_climber
Oct 11, 2007, 10:45 PM
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You know, people, I'm all for recomending the use of head wear to stay warm. It really is the best first step in the staying warm equation...
Let just get somethign straight with the terminology here before we go any further:
HEEEEEEEEEEeELLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOO??? It's called a Touque!
Carry on.
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sidepull
Oct 11, 2007, 11:38 PM
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[insert canadian joke here, preferably something about how the "ue" from touque isn't silent but sounds oddly similar to "eh."]
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ClusterFock
Oct 12, 2007, 2:03 AM
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Pfftt....only fags would call it a Touque. 
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gobennyjo
Oct 12, 2007, 4:09 AM
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Toboggan is a bennie that is too big and you have to fold it up is how my friends and I decide the diffrence eh?
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flint
Oct 12, 2007, 5:13 AM
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gobennyjo wrote: Toboggan is a bennie that is too big and you have to fold it up is how my friends and I decide the diffrence eh?
Only homos from Michigan would do that.
P.S. all the gay jokes are coming as a reference to another thread discussion about the lack luster use of gay insults. Not trying to offend anyone.
j-
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moss1956
Oct 12, 2007, 10:56 AM
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a. You should dress in layers so that you can adjust as you get physically more active.
b. Looser shoes, so that the blood will flow better in your feet.
c. Take off your shoes between climbs and keep them close to your body so that they stay warm.
d. Put a chemical handwarmer in my chalk bag, so that when your hand gets numb on a route, you can warm it up a little.
Climbing in the cold is like getting into a swimming pool. That first time up hurts and your hands get numb. Next, your hands will burn as they warm up, then they are warm, and as long as you stay active and aren't too worn out you will be comfortable.
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binrat
Oct 12, 2007, 12:24 PM
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the_climber wrote: uhoh wrote: Any suggestions? Think like a Canadian.
Lets see, polypro, wool, windproof stuff, back bacon, and Keiths
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the_climber
Oct 12, 2007, 2:57 PM
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binrat wrote: the_climber wrote: uhoh wrote: Any suggestions? Think like a Canadian. Lets see, polypro, wool, windproof stuff, back bacon, and Keiths
You forgot the 2 burner Colman stove and the Timmy's Coffee.
And the theme song, although I'm not sure I can type it either.
Good day eh, I'm Bob and this is my Brother Doug...
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