Crack Climbing

Crack climbing is the basic technique used by rock climbers to ascend or jam cracks in cliff faces. Learn what crack climbing and jamming is all about; types of cracks; and how to learn how to jam cracks.

Cracks form natural weaknesses in rock faces that rock climbers ascend by jamming or wedging their hands, fingers, and bodies in the cracks. Learn about all the different sizes of cracks, how the difficulty ratings of crack climbs are body-size dependent, and how crack climbs are rated.

Crack climbing, also called jamming, is a learned climbing technique. The best way to learn how to jam cracks is to practice jamming at your local cliff. Read more about how to learn how to crack climb by practicing jam cracks and finding a crack mentor to help you jam better and higher.

Finger cracks, rock fissures that are the width of your fingers, are encountered on most climbing routes. Learn what a finger crack is, how to find a fingerlock, and why good footwork is important for success when jamming finger cracks.

Learn how to climb hand cracks (cracks the width of your hand) by using hand jams and good footwork. Hand cracks are the best cracks to learn how to crack climb since they offer tbe easiest and most secure jams.

What is a finger crack? Learn about finger cracks and finger jams.

Learn about fist cracks and fist jamming.

What is a chimney? It's a wide crack that is big enough to fit your body inside of it. Learn more about different-sized chimneys.

Spring-loaded camming devices or SLCDs are an important part of your rack of climbing gear. While cams are easy to place, they are only safe and secure if you place them correctly. Learn how to place camming units; which cracks are best for cams; why you use quickdraws on cams; why cams aren't great for top-rope anchors; and how to remove stuck...

Learn all about chimneys and how to climb them. Chimneys are simply cracks that are wide enough for you to fit your body inside. Learn what kind of chimneys you will find on cliffs and the best way to climb chimneys.

Here's all the personal equipment that you need to go trad climbing with a buddy, including rock shoes, climbing harness, belay device, locking carabiners, personal anchor system, and a climbing helmet. Also shop and buy all the guide-recommended climbing gear you need.

What do you need to buy to build a basic rack of equipment for traditional climbing? Here are my suggestions for starting to build your trad rack, including cams, nuts, slings, and carabiners.

It's a lot of work to climb off-width cracks. Here are some tips to climb off-widths more efficiently by wearing the right harness, racking your gear on a sling, and sliding a big cam up as you climb.

Use your feet well when you're jamming cracks and you will feel more solid and secure and get less pumped. Learn how to make basic foot jams; how to torque you knee to lock in; which rock shoes to wear crack climbing; and tips for better foot jams.