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ladyscarlett
Oct 1, 2009, 9:00 PM
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Ok, so it's not winter yet, but I feel like temps are starting to drop.
I was wondering if anyone had any field tested tricks for lasting a little longer out there in the cold or being a little less miserable on that windy belay station.
Now the obvious is always welcome because some n00bs like myself like being reminded.
However, I'd really love to know your tricks. You know the ones! The jewels learned huddled and shivering out in that uniquely invigorating weather.
My n00b self discovery - Keeping the wrists warm (by whatever means of your choice) can really help keep the hands just that much warmer. Found that tip on here! And it got me through a few chilly sunset top outs last non-summer season! Whoooohoo for being IN the alpine glow at sunset...
CHeers
ls
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wjca
Oct 1, 2009, 9:07 PM
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Fingerless belay gloves while climbing (makes jamming a lot easier in addition to keeping your hands warm)
A hat
A windproof shirt
Whiskey
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darkgift06
Oct 1, 2009, 9:24 PM
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move to Canada for a while & toughen the F#*K up.
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ladyscarlett
Oct 1, 2009, 9:29 PM
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darkgift06 wrote: move to Canada for a while & toughen the F#*K up.
Ha! That's right!
But then I'd be tempted to take up ice. I'm not sure if I'm ready to scare myself that much...yet!
heh.
ls, the spoiled cali climber...
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lvpyne
Oct 1, 2009, 9:38 PM
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Hand warmers. Drop a couple in your chalk bag for climbing and your jacket pockets for belays. They're awesome.
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suprasoup
Oct 1, 2009, 9:39 PM
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Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you Asian!!! You's a tropical people. NO matter what you do you're gonna freeze.
Supra
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kriso9tails
Oct 1, 2009, 9:39 PM
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darkgift06 wrote: move to Canada for a while & toughen the F#*K up.
Says the guy who lists his location as Penticton.
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AntinJ
Oct 1, 2009, 9:47 PM
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In reply to: Hand warmers. Drop a couple in your chalk bag for climbing and your jacket pockets for belays. They're awesome.
diddo
Plus:
A good tarp and warm shoe/boots that are easy to get in and out of so you don't get your feet soaked while changing out of your climbing shoes in the snow!
(This post was edited by AntinJ on Oct 1, 2009, 9:47 PM)
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shimanilami
Oct 1, 2009, 10:02 PM
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Get a fat belay jacket, like the Patagonia DAS. If cragging, wear it whenever you're not climbing. If climbing multipitch, the belayer/second should wear it.
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bandycoot
Oct 1, 2009, 10:17 PM
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Prevention can help a ton. Put a jacket on right after climbing before you're cold. Change clothes as often as necessary, don't hesitate. Being hot you'll sweat and might be cold later, and being cold, well, you're cold... I 2nd the handwarmer trick. I love that one. And I use belay gloves. The insulated ones from Metolius are great for J-Tree! My personal trick that I recently started doing was to take my buff and wear it around my neck for a little more insulation if I have a hat that can cover my head. It helps more than I would have thought!
Josh
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suprasoup
Oct 1, 2009, 10:27 PM
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altelis wrote: suprasoup wrote: Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you Asian!!! You's a tropical people. NO matter what you do you're gonna freeze. Supra not to be a jackass, but pretty sure the Nepalese and Tibetans are Azian....pretty sure the tallest mountains in ze world iz Azian..... just saying 
Them Azians are a crafty bunch.
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ryanb
Oct 1, 2009, 11:31 PM
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Keep moving.
Hoodies with thumb loops (patagonia r1, mec expedition, old cotton with holes in it for your thumbs).
Merino wool long underwear.
Belay coat you can stuff and hang on your harness.
Hats/hoods you can wear under or over your helmet.
Fun sized candy bars or similar small easy to eat bursts of fat and sugar.
Shoes you can wear socks with, or long underwear that keeps your ankles warm, or ankle warmers. Be disciplined about taking your shoes off and getting the blood back to your feet when not climbing.
Chemical handwarmers.
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Bats
Oct 1, 2009, 11:49 PM
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Hiking sock liners are very comfortable in climbing shoes when its freezing. I still had great foot work with the liner socks on when I was climbing in 20F weather. I would have nice thick warm woolen socks for my hikers. Also, I wore gloves until it was time to climb. I also agreed handwarmer is good.
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crazy_fingers84
Oct 1, 2009, 11:59 PM
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I am a little surprised that nobody has mentioned keeping a bottle of hooch nearby to warm the tummy 
I also wear socks in my climbing shoes in the winter.
Hand warmers are a good trick, but last season somebody at Smith showed me that I could just heat up a rock on my stove and throw it in my chalk bag. Make sure you have a bunch of chalk in the bag though...
On that same trip to Smith, I watched people lug 2 big propane tanks and heaters down to the wall. That might be a bit of overkill though.
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kriso9tails
Oct 2, 2009, 12:03 AM
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If it's bouldering or single pitch, climbing shoes under the armpits when not climbing.
If it's multipitch, have sex at every belay ledge when you meet up with your climbing partner. If you're climbing with a group of three, plan ahead on who goes where in case there's limited space at the belay or hanging belays. It's really awkward other wise.
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ladyscarlett
Oct 2, 2009, 12:15 AM
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crazy_fingers84 wrote: I am a little surprised that nobody has mentioned keeping a bottle of hooch nearby to warm the tummy
I'd be down, but if "hooch" is alcoholic, then I'll have to pass. The stuff stops my breathing! I thought I saw whiskey somewhere here though...
In reply to: Hand warmers are a good trick, but last season somebody at Smith showed me that I could just heat up a rock on my stove and throw it in my chalk bag. Make sure you have a bunch of chalk in the bag though...
A rock!! Among the other good suggestions that's a first...intriguing. If nothing else, it might be nice at night.
cheers for all the shares, will be field testing some of them next week for sure!
ls
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mecalekahi-mekahidyho
Oct 2, 2009, 12:35 AM
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If doing multi-pitch I would find a large animal carcas and make a large incision in the belly. Anchor the carcas at the belay station and hop on in.
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kyleshea
Oct 2, 2009, 12:38 AM
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AntinJ wrote: In reply to: Hand warmers. Drop a couple in your chalk bag for climbing and your jacket pockets for belays. They're awesome. diddo Plus: A good tarp and warm shoe/boots that are easy to get in and out of so you don't get your feet soaked while changing out of your climbing shoes in the snow!
i thought this said dildo when i first read it. that would be quite a tip!
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jeepnphreak
Oct 2, 2009, 1:23 AM
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Well we have snow on the ground which is a bit late for our neck of the woods, but I rock climb untill it gets below 15 F.
so....
what I do is layer up with thin synthetic material along with one nice wind breaker and a down coat. that will keep you warm while belaying and standing around.
While climbing I just wear the synthetic under layers and a pair of jeans. If more is needed that a pair of gloves and hand warmers really makes the day pleasent.
Once it gets below 30F, I just stay with face climbes, hand jaming get a bit pain full if your hands are too cold.
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lithiummetalman
Oct 2, 2009, 1:42 AM
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COLD Single Pitch:
The biggest puffiest coat!
COLD Multi-pitch:
-Beanie with inbuilt ear muffs!
-Half Mitts
-Synthetic Belay jacket
-Synthetic Booties to go over the feet at belays!
-Wind pants with liners! (Keeping thighs warm seem to help)
-Cheese or shot of olive oil (never thought this would work until I tried it, older post on this)
http://www.rockclimbing.com/...olive%20oil;#1473275
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hafilax
Oct 2, 2009, 1:46 AM
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God I hate the screaming barfies as the blood rushes back into the fingers after a hand numbing pitch!
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qwert
Oct 2, 2009, 7:07 AM
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Somehow i have the feeling ls is talking about different temperatures than the rest.
So heres a harmless suggestion: If you get cold fingers, put one hand on your neck, between the shoulder blades. This spot is always warm! nice to give a quick warm up mid pitch (but i really have to try the handwarmers when winter gets here)
qwert
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jbroom
Oct 2, 2009, 8:25 AM
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a couple of tips that i've found useful
on the way to the crag put your climbing shoes on the dashboard of the truck with your defrost on, then stick them in your jacket for the hike in
a thin pair of socks/slightly bigger shoes help out a lot when it's cold and windy.
definantly hand warmers in the chalkbag
i don't know the name but i have a black cheek/mouth guard (ninjaesque) with velco in the back that helps a ton with keeping the wind burn down
thin beanie big enough to cover your ears under the helmet
wrap a scarf around your neck and tuck the ends into the neck of your shirt-it's ridiculous how much a naked neck will make you cold
layer appropriately
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binrat
Oct 2, 2009, 11:45 AM
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to add on to jbroom suggestions - a neck gaitor that you see people wearing while skiing. Tuck it into your shirt and pull it up over your chin and to your ears.
binrat
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