Equipment Choice

Selecting what gear or even rope systems you take on a route may seem like a very simple tactic, but it is one that will save you energy and help lead to improvements. For instant you don’t need 14 quickdraw for most gritstone routes, or if the route is a face climb with no obvious large cracks do you need to take your large cams. These types of racking up choices will directly lighten your load, by eliminating excess gear. The same is arguably true of rope systems, where implying double ropes might dramatically reduce rope drag, making the climbing experience not only easy but more enjoyable. Occasionally it might even come down to rock boot choice, depending on whether you are climbing edges like slate, pockets like limestone or smears like some grit and granite routes.