“Most injuries early season come from using muscles and tendons that aren’t used to being worked. Take plenty of time to stretch all the fingers and forearms, hamstrings and shoulders.  The colder it is outside, the longer you need to concentrate on warming up.  If climbing on the ropes, your first three or four routes should be well below your ability level. 

“Concentrate on slow, fluid movements and stretching muscles that feel tight. Once you start to feel a little looser, you can move up in difficulty level.  You definitely shouldn’t feel pumped after your third route.  And the biggest rule of thumb early season: If it hurts, let go. Early season is the wrong time to blow a tendon or aggravate a shoulder, as both can put you out for months, which will be the bulk of our short summer season.”

With another winter storm predicted for the rest of the week, I’m going to take this time to loosen up my tendons, toughen up my skin and get my mind in the right working order. Of course, I don’t expect trad climbers to stop their taunting of boulderers anytime soon. PJH

Courtesy photo

Climbing at Enclosure