Ask the Climbing Expert

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Have you ever wanted to ask a climbing expert a question about rock climbing, but never had the chance? Well now you can.

Welcome to Ask the Climbing Expert! Our advice page that will let YOU ask anything you want about rock climbing.

It doesn't matter if you are just starting out climbing or are a seasoned pro.

Do you have a question about rock climbing? Looking for some expert advice on something climbing related?

Well then ask the climbing expert!

"Click on the links below to see some great Ask the Climbing Expert Questions. They were all written by other visitors to this page."

Individual finger /thumb grip strength? 
What is the best way to increase individual finger and thumb grip strength when not climbing?

Jack that is a good question. If you are looking to ...

the landscape you climb in 
I am in my final year of my BA hons degree in fine art and my dissertation is about free climbing and the climbers relationship with the landscape, climbing ...

Rural Rock Climbing Training 
I live in a fairly rural area and have to commute about an hour or so to the nearest gym. Do you have any ideas about good exercises that can be done with ...

What are you supposed to wear when climbing? 
I am brand new to climbing and wondering what I should wear when I go to the Rock Gym? Is it ok to wear jewelry? Should I wear pants, shorts, tennis ...

Fingers Peeling Bad 
My roommate and I have been climbing pretty regularly for about 4 months now, both outside and at the local indoor place. My problem is that when I boulder ...

Opening a Gym 
Hello, I am interested in looking into opening an indoor climbing gym. My question is, " Is there a source or website of wall builder's, or is there a ...

Blister on Finger  Not rated yet
I always get a blister on my left middle finger, right on the inner top joint. Is there anyway to prevent this? Why is a blister forming there? If I want ...

bouldering/rock climbing - how dangerous?  Not rated yet
I've really wanted to get into climbing for a while, but just really haven't had the time until now. One of my concerns is that it seems pretty dangerous....

Velcro vs. Lace-Ups  Not rated yet
I'm a beginning climber who is looking to buy my first pair of climbing shoes, to be used for indoor bouldering and climbing. That being said, would there ...

Climbing with Blisters  Not rated yet
If I climb really hard one day and start to get blisters and callouses, should I wait a day or two and let my hands recover or should I push it and keep ...

Finger injuries  Not rated yet
I have had a tendon injury for the past two months in my right middle finger, caused by over-exertion while climbing. I am quite a bit heavier than the ...

MENTAL!!  Not rated yet
Hi! Although I have been climbing for about a year now, my friends do comment that sometimes they feel I am able to complete a route if my mental mindset ...

What shoes should I get?  Not rated yet
I started climbing a little over a month ago and I have been looking to get some shoes. Right now it's mostly just inside, but ones it gets nicer out ...

Fingers Peeling Bad  Not rated yet
My roommate and I have been climbing pretty regularly for about 4 months now, both outside and at the local indoor place. My problem is that when I boulder ...

Injury as a Result of Bouldering  Not rated yet
Hi, My name is Hemant from India my age is 38 from last 2 years I am doing practice I have ligament & Elbow problems because of climbing what should I ...

The Bachar Ladder  Not rated yet
The Bachar ladder. I'm interested of constructing one, just to try it. Do you have ideas to build a homemade Bachar ladder?

What a great question ...

What is Cleaning a route?  Not rated yet
What is "cleaning" pertaining to sport climbing? I've heard it used in context like "clean the route" using webbing / runners.

Graham that is a great ...

Setting up a Top Rope Anchor  Not rated yet
What's the correct way to setup a top rope? When you get to the top, and your setting it up for the next climber, I know your supposed to have redundancy,...

Opening a Gym  Not rated yet
Hello, I am interested in looking into opening an indoor climbing gym. My question is, " Is there a source or website of wall builder's, or is there a ...

Instructional Rock Climbing DVD's  Not rated yet
Could you tell me if there are any good instructional dvd's for beginners?? A friend of mine has recently started climbing and would like one for Christmas,...

Skills to Pull 5.12  Not rated yet
I am a climber in Minnesota and i ve been climbing for over one year and lately i ve been trying to climb a 5.12 but keep getting shut down. i can climb ...

When to Switch to a More Aggressive Shoe  Not rated yet
I am currently bouldering at the v4 level and I was wondering if its about time to step up to an aggressive down turned shoe, most of the routes I do are ...

Knoxville Bouldering  Not rated yet
Do you know of any places to boulder close to Knoxville other than Lilly and Chatt. destinations?

Answer

Caleb,

I am not sure of any others ...

V Scale and comparison to Decimal Scale  Not rated yet
I know that many sites give a mapping between the V scale and the decimal scale. Being a new climber, I am currently working routes in the 5.6-5.8 range,...

Climb rating scale  Not rated yet
What is the history of the climbing rating system?

Answer

This is a good. First a lot of countries have their own grading systems and I will focus ...

Where can I buy used climbing holds  Not rated yet
Hi,
I am from the Northeast India, Shillong.I am building a climbing wall at home, its not big,but enough to train and keep in touch.I have bought some ...