Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Climbing, But Were Afraid To Ask

[rydra_wong]

This is a post where you can ask all the questions you're always wanted to ask about climbing, whether you've already started or are just beginning to think about maybe possibly kind of giving this a try.

Or maybe you've been climbing for decades, and have always wondered about that one thing, and by now it would be OMG TOO EMBARASSING to admit you don't know.

No topics are off-limit, no questions too clueless, so let rip and get answers from demi-n00bs experienced climbers.

Comments

[jumpuphigh]

Well, I climb with Multiple Sclerosis and the choice is both crazy and sane. It's crazy cause it wipes me out and increases my symptoms but it is sane because it helps my mental health and makes me feel powerful. *shrugs* You have to weigh the benefits with the problems.

I wouldn't recommend starting climbing while pregnant but I know a number of women who have climbed or are currently climbing while pregnant. However, they were all climbers prior to getting pregnant.

If you do climb, I'd recommend getting someone to show you how to tape your fingers to protect them and add Vitamin C to your diet as that helps the skin/blood vessels heal. For me, most of my injuries have been finger stuff (skin peeling off and tendon problems) and bruises on my knees. For whatever reason, the way I move on the wall bruises my knees but that is really just my problem instead of an issue with climbing. Strength training actually increases bone density so climbing may help you there.

[rydra_wong]

For me, the bruises all congregate on my shins. I have no idea why, as I'm not conscious of banging my shins into anything while climbing *g*.

[jumpuphigh]

I know what causes my bruises. I use my knees to brace myself and I bruise easily. Sure, every once in a while, I'll bang a knee and exclaim "that's going to bruise" but mostly, they are pressure bruises.