Climbing technique


A climbing technique is any of a number of body postures, movements and holds used in climbing.

Examples

Heel hook

Using the back of the heel to apply pressure to a hold, for balance or leverage; this technique requires pulling with the heel of a foot by flexing the hamstring. This technique is notable since in most forms of climbing one uses the feet to push.

Campusing

Climbing using only the arms. This term comes from specific power training done on a campus board.

toe hook

Hooking toes on a hold. It helps pull the body inwards--towards the wall. Often used on overhanging rock where it helps to keep the body from swinging away form the wall.

holding a grip tendu or arqué

different ways of holding a grip. Tendu is French for open hand, which means the fingers are in a position that is close to the position they are when the hand is opened--hence the name. The relative angle between is phalanges is gradual. The load applied is coming form muscular tension in the forearm muscles. Arqué is French for crimping, in this position typically the first knuckles are hyperextended and the second has a sharp angle--about 90 degrees. In this position muscular effort is combined with soft tissues tensions in order to apply the load. This position, when used often, has been known to overstress the "pulleys" in the fingers and lead to injuries.

chimneying

Climbing between opposing rock faces, with the back and hands against one face, and the feet against the other face or alternating between both.

''Egyptian'' or ''drop knee'' or ''Lollotte''

Method for reducing tension in arms when holding a side grip. The knee ends up in a position that is below the foot.

mantling or ''mantleshelfing''

boosting upwards with only one's arms, ending with arms fully extended downwards. The motion is akin to getting out of a swimming pool without using the ladder.

bridging or stemming

climbing a corner with the legs spread wide apart, one against each face, with the feet relying on friction or very small holds.

gaston

Pulling sideways, akin to opening a sliding door. The term comes from a story about the climber Gaston Rebuffat who apparently climbed several difficult cracks in Europe using this hand position--normally in cracks hands or fingers--or any part of the body that fits-- are jammed in the crack to hold oneself.

See also

External links