STOP Making These 3 Common Crack Climbing Mistakes

Mistake 2: “I Don’t Fit!” (The Classic Excuse)

• The Mistake: Thinking your hand/foot is either too big or too small for a particular crack.
• Why It’s a Bit of a Pain: Because it makes you give up before you’ve even tried properly
• The Fix: There’s always a way, no matter your size (The only exception is if the crack is too thin for your finger tips). You just need to tweak your technique to fit the crack. What is a perfect hand jam for one person might be a thin hand jam or even a finger lock for someone else. Don’t get hung up on what the guidebook says or what your mate’s doing – figure out what works for your body and the crack in front of you.

Mistake 3: Skin? What Skin?

• The Mistake: Not taping or gloving up before you start.
• Why It’s a Bit of a Pain: Because you’ll end up with sore hands (or worse!), and your climbing session will be over before you know it. Less climbing = less practice.
• The Fix: Tape or glove up before you even touch the rock. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised! If you’re feeling brave and want to go raw (no tape/gloves), stick to easier climbs well below your limit. Remember, you mostly get cuts and bruises when your technique is off (either because you don’t know the right way or you’re too tired to do it correctly). And remember, it’s not just your hands – think about your shoulders, legs, ankles, etc. But don't go overboard and tape everything up if it’s not needed. Cover the areas that get contact.