Every climber should be familiar with the most common climbing holds and how to best tackle them.

This fundamental knowledge will improve your climbing ability enormously. You will be able to climb faster, safer, and for longer.

An edge is a horizontal hold with a part you can grab onto. It’s often flat, but sometimes has a lip you can pull on.

Crimping is grabbing the edge with your fingertips flat and your fingers arched above the tips. Crimping too hard can cause tendon damage.

Slopers are roundish holds that are usually rather large. For climbing this kind of rock, an open hand grip is the most effective technique.

Use the friction of your skin against the rock surface. Feel around with your fingers to find grip spots. Wrap your hand onto the hold, with your fingers close together, and then feel around with your thumb to see if there’s a bump you can press against.

Pinches are holds which can be gripped by pinching them with your fingers on one side and your thumb on the other.

If a pinch hold is small, use your thumb as opposed to your index finger, with your middle finger stacked on top. With larger pinch holds, oppose your thumb with all your fingers.

When you're climbing, many of these skills come naturally, but knowing about them and how to use them gives you an extra advantage.

Check out "Emergency Roping and Bouldering" to learn more climbing techniques and more.

Get it here: https://www.survivalfitnessplan.com/emergency-roping-bouldering

Train safe!

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