Im new to climbing and live in Atlanta. Was reading some comments about boat rock and some people mentioned some problems would be v2 in winter but v3 in summer. I can't think of any reason why bouldering is easier/better in the winter. Thanks for the help

Idk. Some people say cold rock produces better friction on your shoe rubber. And... GA is ungodly hot in the summer. Less sweat & fatigue maybe?

Shoe rubber is way firmer, far less likely to sweat through your hands thus not greasing up the holds. Fall and Winter are project sending temps.

The friction coefficient between shoe rubber and the rock increases as temperature decreases...to a point around 30 degrees or so. In otherwords, your shoes grip better on the rock when its colder, especially the slabby climbs that dominate Boat Rock. I've sent V4 like it was V1 at BR during the comp, but then I try that same climb in the summer and get absolutely no friction to send. There was a good article on the friction coefficient and how its affected by temp and how it varies from different shoe rubber companies (at the time of the article, Evolv had the best rubber for friction by far) floating around on the net a few years ago...I'm sure if you dig deep enough and enjoy reading about physics, that this article will help out your understanding. Hope this helps a little and enjoy Boat Rock (its one of my favorite boulderfields) while those temps are prime!!!

More friction and less sweat. Dry hands + dry rock + cold rubber = easier to hold/stand on small holds.

Have you been outside in the SE in July/August? Now how about in December/January? That is why bouldering in the SE is easier in the winter...hell, just existing is easier.

Ha, I was expecting more comments like the last one. I am fairly new to Atlanta area so I figured climbing was more comfortable in the winter, but didn't think that was enough to lower the V rating of a problem. The cold = better friction makes sense now though. Never would have guessed that. Thanks for the answers.

Can't believe no one told you to read freedom of the hills.

corny this thread is young yet, someone would have gotten to it, but now all is lost.

Depends on where you live. Those who have attempted to climb outside in the Northeast in the winter know that although your footing may improve, your finger strength is nonexistent.

Several comments that shoe rubber preforms better (is more sticky) at cold temps, but that seems backwards to me. My common sense tells me that as rubber warms up it becomes a bit more maleable and therefore better suited to creating friction with the rock. Think cold silly putty vs. warm silly putty. Which is stickier?

I'm not saying I'm right, but can anyone explain why cold is better?

My best ever day at Boat Rock was in July after a trail day. I still don't understand it.

Your beanie doesn't make you overheat like in the Summer

when its 30 degrees and dry man you can hold slopers that seem impossible hard to believe until you try it.