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Who does the "freeze--thaw" thing?
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2003 3:50 pm
by steep4me
My hands froze on Friday to the point of total numbness (more than once) while I was trying to climb my project.
Most people's response to cold weather, cold rock, (and me complaining about numb hands) is: "it's perfect conditions dude! I wish it was 20 degrees colder!" Question one: are there other people out there who hate climbing with numb hands? Question two: Have people tried freezing their hands in cold water (e.g., ice cooler), letting them thaw, repeat, repeat before getting to the crag so that your hands with be circulating better? A guy from Colorado suggested this and it worked really well for me. Just curious.
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2003 3:56 pm
by Spragwa
I HATE COLD. COLD WEATHER SUCKS ASS. I cannot believe that it is so cold...ewww.
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2003 4:07 pm
by Meadows
Freezing your hands? That's insane! How about HotHands in your chalkbag? I picked up a box of them already in prep for winter climbing.
Spragwa: the rock is not so bad once you get on. It's a bit of a shock to the system at first, but you learn to like it.
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2003 4:11 pm
by Spragwa
I'll tolerate it but I will NEVER learn to like it.
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2003 4:16 pm
by SikMonkey
I am with Spragy on this. I DESPISE icy cold rock. Everyone kept saying "The first route is always the worst. Once your hands thaw out, it's all good from there". HA! Once it goes below 40 degrees (with sun), I am done. It's not even really gotten cold yet and my hands are already feeling it.
Mj
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2003 4:16 pm
by Wes
Got the numb fingers Saturday for the first time this year. 8) It is hard at first, but once you get a couple warm up probems in you are golden. The key is not to take to long of rests.
Wes
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2003 4:28 pm
by Meadows
And maybe avoid crimpy climbs!
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2003 4:34 pm
by GWG
My hands got really cold one climbing trip, frost nip on the finger tips, and they remain real sensitive to the cold. I'm with Meadows, I will keep a hand warmer in my chalk bag when it gets real cold.
GWG
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2003 4:34 pm
by canadaclimbergirl
As an ice climber........I will tell you what I do to avoid the pain.
When I first get to the climbing, I stick my hands in the snow until they are really cold. Then I let them warm up. From then on, they never get as bad...but the first time, the pain is so much that it makes you feel like throwing up.
It sucks, but it works.
I do the same when rock climbing/bouldering in the late fall/ early spring. If there is snow on the ground, I freeze my hands right off the get go.
cara
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2003 4:39 pm
by SikMonkey
Yeah, I have heard that called the "screaming barfies". THAT'S how bad my hands get just from ROCK climbing in cold weather, much less ICE climbing.
Mj