When it comes to tackling challenging enduro routes, taking frequent and effective rest breaks during the climb is key to improving your endurance. While training for stamina is important, incorporating strategic rest periods into your route is more likely to help you successfully navigate any terrain and achieve your goals. Remember: Resting is a recipe for success!
Taking a break to achieve your goals: Vertical Rock
Your legs are a powerhouse compared to your arms, so it’s a smart move to find opportunities to stem and take the pressure off your fingers and forearms during a climb. Corners are an obvious choice, but you can also stem in between knobs, pockets, ribs, tufas, or other rock features even on a flat wall.
If you need to take a break on a face climb or arête, try wrapping your instep over a crystal or edge, and then squat onto that foot while keeping your weight close to the wall. This way, you can rest while maintaining control and stability.
When you’re tackling stemming and thin face climbing, don’t forget that your feet and calves can get just as tired as your fingers and forearms. To avoid losing precision in your footwork, try using your heel instead of your toe to stand on a solid foothold. If possible, switch between feet to give each one a break.
If you’re climbing on a knobby wall, take advantage of the numerous opportunities to rest your fingers. You can curl your thumb or even crook your pinkie around a knob to give your digits a chance to recover. When you reach an extra-large, flat edge, consider resting your forearm on the shelf instead of continuing to hang on with your hands.
For those tackling overhanging rock, be prepared for an extra challenge. But don’t worry – there are still ways to rest and recover. Try to find larger holds to hang onto and catch your breath. Remember to take breaks when needed and don’t push yourself too hard.
Using stem techniques becomes even more crucial when climbing on overhanging rigs, as it requires a significant amount of effort from your arms and core. Don’t overlook even the slightest corner or groove as it could offer a chance to utilize the stem and give yourself a brief moment of rest.
In rock climbing, there are times when two rock planes are too close to create an effective barrier. However, you can still use these planes to take a break by performing a drop-knee maneuver. This entails turning your body sideways and lowering your inner knee towards the ground while using both feet in opposition like you’re chimneying. If executed correctly, this technique may provide enough support for you to rest and even lower one or both hands.
