When it comes to trying to improve at climbing, there is so much information out there that the most important information can get lost or overshadowed. In reality, no mater how many articles or books you read and how hard you train mastering the basics of climbing movement is the quickest way to improve.
With this in mind, here’s an article by Rock and Ice editor and long time climber Alison Osius in which she outlines the most impactful things she has learned during her time climbing. While Osius frames her advice as being primarily for female climbers, her tips definitely apply to climbers of all ability levels regardless of gender.
“Men climbers are stronger; women have less upper-body strength but better footwork. That old chestnut becomes less true as climbers improve. Among good climbers, the women are all strong, and the men have good footwork, too.”
“Still, especially among the broad base of the climbing community, differences apply. As a climber of decades, primarily aware of what a given sequence would take anyone, I forget about gender differences—until they get me.” – Alison Osius
Alison Osius’ Top Climbing Lessons:
As Osius points out, gender differences are obviously a real thing in climbing. However, while she tailors her advice to female climbers, almost all of these tips can be applied to male climbers as well. Here are her top five climbing lessons:
- Climb with women when you can
- Grab and actively pull with your feet
- Learn to drop knee
- Hang on straight arms
- On hard moves, keep at it
Ultimately, the underlying theme of these tips is to really focus on understanding climbing movement. Things like drop knees and pulling with your feet may seem obvious, but really mastering them can make a huge difference in your climbing.
Click through below for the full article and to read about these five tips in greater detail. No matter how long you have been climbing or how strong you are, revisiting the basics of climbing movement is never a waste of time. Additionally, newer climbers should make focusing on improving their technique and movement patterns a priority. You simply don’t have to be as strong to climb a route or boulder if you know how to move efficiently and effectively.
Full Article: Alison Osius – The Best Things I’ve Leaned in Climbing
(photo by Edwin Teran | @edwinteran; climber: Nasim Eshqi)
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