Any preference for thumbs up or down jams on tips through hand sized cracks? Is there a situation that indicates one would be better other than feels right?
Thumbs up is best when you can get it, as you can lock it off low. Thumbs down is good for reaching way up. In a corner, one hand thumbs up, one thumbs down, works well. That is for hands. Fingers, thumbs down is usually easier to lock.
I frequently climb with my leading hand thumbs down and shuffle my other hand, thumbs up, towards it. This technique works well for me with hand cracks that don't have too much diversity to them (i.e. Andromeda Strain, Brontosaurus...).
Does he have a strange bear claw like appendage protruding from his neck? He kep petting it.