6 Tips for Warm & Comfortable Cold-Weather Climbing

I wrote a post that will hopefully help those new to ice climbing and cold-weather rock climbing have a more warm and comfortable time. Let me know what you think, and if you have any other tips and tricks for cold weather, I'd love to hear them!

6 Tips for Warm & Comfortable Cold-Weather Climbing

Thanks!

You're bound to get called out for the mere suggestion of alcohol. Peripheral vasodilator and all that.

A trick I use for cold weather rock and occasionally even for thin glove ice climbing - press your hands (both palm side and backside) against your bare neck. Nice and toasty there.

Many folks blow on cold hands but that's a bad idea. Moisture in your breath can condense on the cold skin, resulting in damp hands, which is to be avoided.

I think it's important to acknowledge that the first ice pitch of the day is bound to bring on cold fingers. Most folks find that once they've warmed up from the initial chilling, their hands stay workably warm all day. So start with thick gloves and keep that first pitch short. Then bust out the thin tactile gloves.

Good points, thanks Gunkiemike!

You're absolutely right, I know alcohol isn't actually conducive to warmth, but it can be conducive to comfort... Either way it's a joke :-) I trust that climbers will know the difference (even though that trust may sometimes be misplaced).

the heart shock is bs in this timeline

I like the grip pointers

I usually put my off-pair gloves in my shirt which is tucked in. Also take approach-hike clothing that you can sweat into and then use other dry clothing for the climbing.

belay parka is my friend

Buff Johnson wrote:the heart shock is bs in this timeline

Not sure what you mean by "in this timeline," but what I'm talking about is often referred to as afterdrop

I guess it's apparently controversial as to whether it's a real phenomenon or not (which I didn't realize until I looked further into it just now), but the claim is that cold blood returning from the limbs can further lower your core temperature, which could be dangerous if you're already hypothermic.

Good tip on the extra clothing, it's never a bad thing to bring extra layers along if you're not hiking far!

It would be a concern if you were already down, for hours. In other words, it's more a concern for the rescue work timeline than a self or companion situation.
Don't worry about shaking out or the return flow from your arms. You're much better off keeping your circulation moving.

I actually think that the Funky Penguin is more effective than the Windmill.

Buff Johnson wrote:It would be a concern if you were already down, for hours. In other words, it's more a concern for the rescue work timeline than a self or companion situation. Don't worry about shaking out or the return flow from your arms. You're much better off keeping your circulation moving.

Gotcha. I figured better safe than sorry, but that makes sense. Thanks for the extra info, I'll remove the warning!

camhead wrote:I actually think that the Funky Penguin is more effective than the Windmill.

My girlfriend said the same thing :-) I think the penguin is more effective for overall warming, but nothing beats the windmill for getting your digits defrosted!

Here's my tip:

• Strap a snow shovel on the front of your vehicle
• Drive south
• When someone points to it and says 'Whats that?', you have arrived at your destination

Mike Lane wrote:Here's my tip: * Strap a snow shovel on the front of your vehicle * Drive south * When someone points to it and says 'Whats that?', you have arrived at your destination

Haha! Excellent tip.

I'll have to try that handwarmer in the chalkbag trick.

johnsonbrad1 wrote:I'll have to try that handwarmer in the chalkbag trick.

It works quite well, definitely give it a shot!

Better yet (or so I'm told)...tape a hand warmer to the inside of each wrist. Climb on.

Ryan Nevius wrote:Better yet (or so I'm told)...tape a hand warmer to the inside of each wrist. Climb on.

I don't think the normal hand warmers are supposed to have prolonged contact with your skin, but I have heard they make wrist warmer packs designed for this. I wasn't able to turn anything up on Google when I was writing the post, but if you know of anything I' be interested in checking it out!

Ryan Nevius wrote:Better yet (or so I'm told)...tape a hand warmer to the inside of each wrist. Climb on.

I do this for climbing cold rock.

Scott, do you ever notice any irritation from having the hand warmers on your bare skin?

I haven't, but that doesn't make it a good idea.

Scott O wrote:I haven't, but that doesn't make it a good idea.

Ha! Well thanks for being the guinea pig, please post up if your hands fall off. ;-)

Funky Penguin?? Please tell me more!