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mack
Trad climber
vermont
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Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 25, 2007 - 03:11pm PT
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I'm not sure what my problem is. I'm hoping some of you out there with more experience can give me some advice. Both rock and ice but especially ice climbing, I bang my knees. Both of my knees are covered with bruises in varying shades of black/blue/green/yellow. I'm headed to the Carribean in a couple weeks and will be exposing my knees in all their bruised glory. Is it too late to fix my technique or should I quit climbing (Oh horrors) till I go? Please advise.
Mack
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Mimi
climber
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Feb 25, 2007 - 03:30pm PT
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Might be a footwork issue. Try turning your feet outwards to get your knee out of the way when you step up. On vertical ice, you shouldn't be bumping your knees unless you're stepping straight up. I've done it on rock, but it's usually when careless or in a hurry and not paying proper attention to my footwork. Sure does hurt.
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mack
Trad climber
vermont
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 25, 2007 - 03:36pm PT
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Mimi,
Maybe if I start thinking about my knees instead of my feet? Or perhaps figuring knees into the equation along with hands,feet and balance. The ice I've been climbing is pretty verticle. What about knee pads? Is that dorky?
Mack
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Mimi
climber
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Feb 25, 2007 - 03:46pm PT
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Not in my opinion if you've got a chronic knee banging problem. Why care what other climbers think about your attire anyway?
If it's not your footwork, you could be standing too close to the rock/ice. Stay out from it more so when you step up, you've got more clearance.
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maldaly
Trad climber
Boulder, CO
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Feb 25, 2007 - 03:49pm PT
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This is a cross post from another thread but it's appropriate to the topic:
Mal
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Mimi
climber
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Feb 25, 2007 - 03:52pm PT
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Ouch Bob! Kneepads wouldn't have gone well with the shorts that day.
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mack
Trad climber
vermont
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 25, 2007 - 03:54pm PT
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Hmm, when ice climbing I try to swing my tools as high as I can, so I move faster with fewer placements but as a result I am pretty close to the ice. I think I'll try shortening my swing a little. Thanks.
Mack
edit - fortunately they are just bruises (for the most part)
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mack
Trad climber
vermont
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 25, 2007 - 03:55pm PT
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A Crowley, are you an ice climber?
Mack
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WBraun
climber
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Feb 25, 2007 - 03:56pm PT
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I've banged my knees hundreds of times and drew blood.
So what! Big f'ckin deal.
Why are you so concerned about this? It's normal.
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mack
Trad climber
vermont
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 25, 2007 - 03:59pm PT
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Werner...your a guy, it doesn't matter if your all bashed up. Guys like scars (battle wounds).
Mack is a little vain.
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L
climber
The City of Lost Angels
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Feb 25, 2007 - 03:59pm PT
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Mack,
If you're climbing ice you'll have long pants on--no one will see the kneepads beneath and you'll save yourself a lot of bruising. Also, having the pads on will perhaps make you more conscious of your knees, and you might adjust your climbing to protect them more. Those long throws are probably the culprit.
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Indianclimber
climber
Las Vegas
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Feb 25, 2007 - 04:04pm PT
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Sew pot holders inside your climbing pants at your knee level
works for me
Gives some padding and other than a circle of stitching nobody can see them
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mack
Trad climber
vermont
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 25, 2007 - 04:05pm PT
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L,
Most excellent idea. I'll wear the knee pads at least till I leave on my vacation, after that it won't matter so much anymore.
Heck, in Vermont it rarely ever gets warm enough to wear shorts (at least for me). Right now, I kid you not, my left knee is so bruised it hurts to cross my leg over it.
Mack
edit - Indian Climber...Pot holders..great idea! Keep em coming gang.
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Mimi
climber
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Feb 25, 2007 - 04:21pm PT
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Check out Jello's ice climbing videos. Pay attention to the monkey hang technique. This time-honored technique should help.
On rock, ice, or in the gym, try to move smoothly and deliberately. This way you won't lose track of your knees and elbows or prematurely lift your heels when in cramps. The key, as usual, is to relax. I know that's been my issue with banging parts. But like Werner says, it's normal, WTF! LOL!
Falling is another matter!
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mack
Trad climber
vermont
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 25, 2007 - 04:30pm PT
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Mimi,
Yeah, I've seen Jello's video, a couple of times and I definately use some of his tips (Jeff is my hero). Monkey hang, nice solid triangles, I could go on and on.
Mack
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Feb 25, 2007 - 04:36pm PT
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Read "Apes or Ballerinas" by Tom Patey. It has some useful insights into this subject.
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d-know
Trad climber
electric lady land
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Feb 25, 2007 - 04:38pm PT
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quit being less than graceful.
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mack
Trad climber
vermont
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 25, 2007 - 04:39pm PT
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We did this little number on TR the other day and I kept thinking WWJD (what would Jeff do)? It was crazy hard.
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Mimi
climber
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Feb 25, 2007 - 04:42pm PT
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Very cool looking formation. And scary.
Where is Jello anyway? What say you Jello?
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divad
Trad climber
wmass
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Feb 25, 2007 - 05:17pm PT
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When do you bang your knee, on the kick or when you move up? Is your boot perpendicular to the ice on the kick and do your frontpoints extend far enough from the boot? They probably are adjustable.
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