How to Keep Climbing When the Temps Drop: Cold Weather Tips for Climbers

When the crowds thin and the temps dip, some of the best climbing days of the year begin. Crisp friction, quiet crags, and clear light — fall and early winter can be magic if you know how to manage the cold. Here’s how to keep climbing when the temps drop, with real-world strategies for staying warm, keeping your head in the game, and getting the most out of the cold-weather season.

1. Layer Like a Pro

Layering for rock climbing isn’t about bulk — it’s about flexibility. You want warmth without restriction. 

Start with your action suit — what you actually climb in. This setup needs to be warm enough to keep you comfortable while moving, but not so heavy that it limits range of motion. You’re not dressing for a long belay — you’ll only be on the rock for a few minutes at a time. Dial in that balance between warmth and mobility, and you’ll climb sharper and longer.

Keep a “belay puffy” — a big insulated jacket that lives at the base — to throw on between burns. You’ll be amazed how much energy you save by keeping your core warm while belaying. When it’s time to climb, shed the bulk and move fast before the chill sets in.

2. Find the Sun (and Follow It)

The single biggest factor in how cold your day feels isn’t the air temperature — it’s the sun. A shady wall can feel miserable at 40°F, while a south-facing one in direct sun can feel perfect.

Use tools like ShadeMap or CalTopo to track exactly when and where the sun hits your crag. A few minutes of planning can mean the difference between numb fingers and hero conditions.

3. Keep Your Hands Happy

Cold rock kills motivation fast. Before pulling on, warm your hands with a thermos of hot water or hand warmers tucked into your chalk bag. Tape your fingers early — the combination of cold rock and thin skin can make small splits worse.

Chemical hand warmers are a game changer. Keep a few in your pockets at all times — they’ll keep blood flowing and make that first contact with frozen granite a little less shocking.

Pro Tip: If you tend to have really cold hands or feet, use a stretchy sweatband to hold a hand warmer on your wrist. It’ll warm the blood before it reaches your fingers — a simple hack that makes a big difference.

Between climbs, stuff your hands inside your jacket or under your armpits — body heat works better than gloves sometimes.

4. Dial Your Warm-Up Routine

In the summer, it’s easy to wander up to a climb and start moving. In November? Not so much. Spend time getting your blood flowing: jumping jacks, quick jogs, resistance bands, squats — whatever fires you up without draining you.

If you’re climbing in fall and winter, take your first few pitches or boulder problems easy. Cold tendons are fragile tendons.

5. Manage the Belay Chill

Staying warm while belaying is an art form. You’re standing still in the shade while your partner works their project — prime time for heat loss. That’s where insulated pants, a belay parka, and a warm hat come in.

Bring a small foam pad or even a piece of your old sleeping pad to stand on; you’ll lose far less heat through your feet that way.

Cold weather necessities!

Bonus: A lightweight thermos of hot tea or broth can feel like cheating — in the best way possible.

6. Bring the Right Cold-Weather Crag Gear

Cold-weather crag gear doesn’t have to mean hauling your entire closet. A few smart pieces make all the difference:

• Insulated belay jacket (big enough to fit over everything)

• Beanie + neck gaiter — small, huge payoff

• Extra gloves — one pair always gets damp

• Thermos + snacks (because cold burns calories fast)

• Headlamp (shorter days mean earlier dark)

7. Know When to Call It

Sometimes the rock just isn’t worth it — when it’s too cold to feel your fingers or your belayer’s miserable, pack it in and save the psyche. You’ll come back stronger when the next sunny window hits.

Final Word

Climbing through the colder months takes intention, but it’s often the most rewarding time to be outside. Empty parking lots, sticky conditions, and the quiet focus of winter light — all yours if you’re prepared.

So grab your layers, follow the sun, and keep climbing when the temps drop.

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For more cold-weather tips, gear insights, and updates from the crag. Stay psyched all season long.