The holidays are here! If you’re like me, you’ve been counting down the days to this special time of year since before Halloween. I love getting ready for the holiday season, from baking cookies to decorating the house.
But there’s one thing about the holidays that’s even more exciting than Santa coming down your chimney: rock climbing them! That’s right I said it.
Climbing is always fun, but with these 12 challenges, it feels like Christmas every day of December. So grab your friends (or family), and let’s get into the holiday spirit by climbing some rocks!
| Takeaway |
|---|
| Rock climbing is a great holiday activity that can offer challenges and unique experiences. |
| The holiday season can be a great time to explore new rock climbing destinations and traditions around the world. |
| Staying safe while rock climbing is essential, and it’s important to be prepared and knowledgeable on how to have fun in a safe way. |
| There are various types of rock climbing, from traditional outdoor climbs to indoor facilities for climbers of all skill levels. |
| It’s always best to learn from experienced climbers and to take necessary safety precautions when starting with rock climbing. |
Challenge 1 : The Climber Christmas Tree
To complete this challenge, you must successfully climb a Christmas tree with your feet only.
You’ll need: Rock climbing shoes, a harness and belay device with locking carabineers (or an auto-locking device), a chalk bag, and chalk.
What to do: Climb up the trunk of the tree until you reach its top branches. Once there, use your feet to maneuver down branch by branch until you get all the way down to the bottom again!
Rock climbing is an excellent activity during the holidays, and there are some great spots to consider for your next adventure. Whether you’re new to rock climbing or an expert, the best rock climbing spots to visit during your Christmas vacation can offer a unique and thrilling experience.
Challenge 2 : Crag the Halls
The next challenge is to climb in a Santa suit, which can be easily accomplished by going to any old store and buying one.
You can even buy a Santa hat if you want to make it more official, or wear an elf hat if you want to be festive but still take your climbing seriously. The best part of climbing while wearing a Santa suit is that you’ll automatically get into the holiday spirit!
If you don’t have access to a full-fledged crag (or if it’s too cold), another option is to find some Christmas lights and rig them up as your own personal climbing accessory.
Just make sure they don’t catch fire; I learned this lesson the hard way when my mom made me hang up lights on our house every year.
Crag the Halls Challenge
| Item Needed | Description |
|---|---|
| Santa Suit | Red and white costume, typically consisting of a jacket, pants, and hat. Can be purchased from party stores, costume shops, or online retailers like Amazon or Spirit Halloween. |
| Climbing Gear | Proper climbing gear, including harness, helmet, shoes, and chalk, is necessary for safety and success during the climb. Be sure to wear comfortable, flexible clothing that allows for a full range of motion. |
| Optional Accessories | Santa hat, beard, and gloves can help complete the look and add an extra level of festivity. |
Note: Remember to prioritize safety and comfort over aesthetics while climbing in a Santa suit. If necessary, consider modifying the costume for better mobility and protection.
Challenge 3 : Chimney Up!
For this challenge, you’ll need a partner to belay you. Partner up with another climber and head to your local climbing gym. The gym should have an assortment of different size chimneys in the bouldering area. If they don’t, ask them if they can get one for you!
While it’s possible to climb a chimney without using any holds besides those on the wall, this is pretty difficult (it would be like trying to climb up a chimney using only your feet).
Instead of relying on these holds, practice using all four limbs by climbing with your hands and feet as well as pulling yourself up with your arms alone.
Start by reaching out from the side of the wall until you find something that feels secure enough for you to place both hands or both feet onto it (this could be anything from a foothold that sticks out from one side or another).
Once there is something stable beneath each hand and foot, use them together in order for move higher up into space within this small cavity until there’s nowhere else left for your body but down below (or back outside where we started at ground level).
To exit safely after completing this challenge successfully will require some careful rope work between climbers so make sure everyone knows what they’re doing before starting!
If you’re looking for a challenge this holiday season, 15 festive rock climbing routes are waiting for you to conquer. These routes offer a mix of technical skill and holiday spirit, so bring your courage and celebration for a memorable climb experience.
Challenge 4 : Candy Cane Holds
Candy cane holds are a unique challenge because you can use them to make your own climbing wall. If you have some extra time before the holidays, why not try making one of these?
Materials:
- Candy canes (obviously)
- A piece of wood – enough to cover an area roughly 2’x2′ (1m x 1m) with the flat side down.
Instructions:
Lay out a sheet over your chosen spot in order to avoid getting any sawdust on anything important or expensive. This will also keep you safe from injury.
Connect one end of each candy cane together using tape or super glue. They should form what looks like a circle when viewed from above and standing on the ground outside of it would be difficult if not impossible without stepping into another person’s way at some point throughout their climb due to there being no wall behind them during this challenge type since they’re all facing outward toward whoever’s doing theirs next (and vice versa).
To get even more challenging with this activity though, try mounting/attaching rope onto each end so that climbers must grab both handsets simultaneously in order for their ascent upward not only succeed but also avoid breaking any limbs while doing so!
Candy Cane Holds for a Festive Climbing Wall
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| PVC Pipe | 1.5-inch diameter PVC pipe cut into 6-inch sections. |
| Heat Gun | Used to heat up PVC so it can be shaped. A hairdryer can also be used as a substitute. |
| Gloves | To protect hands while working with heated PVC. |
| Vice grips or Pliers | To hold PVC in place while heating and shaping. |
| Red and White Spray Paint | Spray paint in red and white colors to create the candy cane stripes. |
| Sandpaper | To smooth out any rough edges on the PVC before painting. |
| Anchors and Screws | To secure the holds to the climbing wall. |
Note: Make sure to test and grade each hold according to difficulty level before securing them to the wall. Use appropriate safety gear while handling the PVC and spray paint.
Challenge 5 : Jingle Bell Rocks
For this challenge, you will need jingle bells and a Christmas tree.
Tie the first two jingle bells together with some string or rope so they hang from the branch of your chosen tree.
Use your fingers to grip onto these bells as you climb up the trunk of your Christmas tree. If you’re having trouble getting these off-the-shelf claws to stay on, try attaching them with duct tape instead!
For an extra challenge: tie a clove hitch knot around that branch in order to keep yourself anchored securely as you climb up into the air before descending back down again (and repeating).
Staying safe during your holiday rock climbing is essential, and it pays to be prepared. Learn everything you need to know about rock climbing on Christmas Eve and how to enjoy your holiday climb with expert tips on staying safe while having fun.
Challenge 6 : Santa’s Workshop Wall
The Santa’s Workshop Wall is a great place for a holiday climbing wall. This wall is located in New Hampshire at the Rumney Climbing Center, and it has routes of various difficulties for you to conquer this holiday season.
If you are looking for something adventurous, try out the Santa’s Workshop route called “Ho Ho Ho!” which will surely put you in good spirits!
Challenge 7 : Deck the Holds
To complete this challenge, you’ll need to decorate your climbing holds with Christmas decorations.
Here are some tips for making sure it’s a successful one:
Use non-toxic decorations that won’t harm the holds or climbers.
Use a variety of different decorations, such as ornaments, tinsel and lights. Try using some of these ideas:
Hang holiday lights on top of each hold so they shine through when someone is climbing it; these can create cool optical illusions! Or hang them off the walls around the room instead — whichever way works best for your gym’s layout.
Tie bows onto fat heads (the big bulges at the bottom of many grips). These can look like candy canes if you use red ribbon tied in a heart shape around them (instead of wrapping it around itself into an actual bow) and then add little bells to make them jingle when people pull up their hands from each hold!
Or just tie some tiny bells on there; that would work too! The possibilities are endless!
The holiday season is the perfect time to learn about Christmas rock climbing traditions from around the world. Whether you’re curious about new traditions or want to plan your next adventure, discover the unique and exciting Christmas rock climbing traditions that you can celebrate while climbing.
Challenge 8 : Burl Ives, Bouldering
What better way to get in the holiday spirit than climbing up a boulder named after Burl Ives?
Burl Ives is one of America’s best-known folk singers, and he also acted in movies like “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
But did you know that Burl Ives is also a type of tree? And a type of rock? In fact, many people call these boulders by their namesake: Burl Ives.
The next time you’re visiting your local climbing gym or rock-climbing spot (or if you have access to one yourself), consider doing some bouldering on this festive variation.
Challenge 9 : Pulling a Partridge out of a Pear Tree
This is the ninth challenge in our series of 10 holiday-themed climbing challenges. If you are just joining us, you can check out the first eight here.
The ninth challenge will require you to pull a partridge out of a pear tree. This phrase is used to describe something that is difficult to do or get (e.g., “I’m going to pull a partridge out of this pear tree!”).
There are many versions of its origin story: some say it comes from Jesus’ miracle at one of his birthplaces; others believe it refers back to an old French proverb about love and marriage; others think it has something to do with being able to see through an apple (like an owl’s eyesight).
Whatever its origin may be, we hope that this challenge gives you some additional insight into how gracefully our sport can be played during this time of year!
Get in the holiday spirit and challenge yourself with these exciting rock climbing challenges, perfect for the holidays. If you’re looking for rock climbing inspiration and challenges to push your limits, check out the rock climbing challenges that bring excitement and adventure to your holiday season.
Challenge 10 : Mantelpiece Negotiations
The mantelpiece is the target. You’ll need to remove your shoes and socks, which you may have to hide under the couch. To get up there, you’ll need to balance on one foot on top of a pile of books at least six inches high.
You can do this with anyone who’s willing to help you get up there (it helps if they’re taller). Once you’re balanced on one foot with your other foot up against the wall or bookcase, grab onto the mantelpiece and pull yourself up until both hands are holding onto it; then jump as high as possible onto it before landing back down safely in front of whoever helped out!
Mantelpiece Negotiations Challenge
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Hangboard | A training device with various holds that can be mounted on a wall or door frame. |
| Athletic Tape | Can be used to cover and protect skin on fingers and palms from abrasion and blisters during training. |
| Finger Strengthener | A small handheld device that helps to strengthen fingers and improve grip strength. Can be found online or at sporting goods stores. |
| Chalk | A magnesium carbonate powder used to improve grip by absorbing moisture and sweat. |
| Therapeutic hand putty | A soft, malleable putty used to strengthen and condition the muscles in the hand and forearm. Can be found online or at sports rehabilitation stores. |
Note: Always warm up before starting any training regimen and work gradually towards increased resistance and difficulty. Consult with a trainer or sports physician to find the right training program for your fitness level and goals.
Challenge 11 : Tinsel the T-wall
If you’re looking for a challenge that will put you in the holiday spirit, why not try this one? The Tinsel T-Wall is perfect for those climbers who are ready to take their climbing game to the next level.
All you need is a t-wall and some tinsel. And if you want to go all out, add some star decorations or star shaped holds on your t-wall!
Challenge 12 : Rudolph the Redpointed Nose Maker
The challenge is to find a route with a redpointed nose. This could be any type of climbing gear, any type of climbing route and can be done anywhere.
The key word here is “redpointed.” The definition of “red pointing” is: When you are using your own rope to climb up a route for the first time without falling off.
You should use your own gear as well so you don’t have to share anything like carabiners or quickdraws with anyone else who might be on the wall while you’re there.
It’s important that no one else has been climbing this route before because otherwise they could leave chalk or grease all over it which would make it much harder for us Rudolphs trying to scale our way up our first winter wonderland walls this holiday season!
Conclusion
This season, get into the holiday spirit with a new rock climbing challenge! Whether it’s an indoor or outdoor setting, we recommend trying out one of these fun activities:
Further Reading
Here are some additional articles about rock climbing for those who are interested:
Edge Rock Gym Offers Challenging Climbing Opportunities: A news article about a gym that offers difficult rock climbing opportunities.
Thrill for a Challenge with Rock Climbing: A university program for rock climbing enthusiasts.
Climbing on Yosemite’s Big Walls: Information from the National Park Service about rock climbing opportunities in Yosemite National Park.
FAQs
What should one wear while rock climbing?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows free movement and provides warmth if needed. Climbing shoes with a good grip and helmets are necessary for safety.
What does climbing difficulty rating mean?
Climbing difficulty ratings are a grading system used to indicate how difficult a climb is. The rating considers factors like incline, terrain, hand and foot holds, and the amount of protection available.
What is bouldering?
Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is typically done without ropes or harnesses. Instead, climbers attempt to complete relatively short routes without protection.
How can I get started with rock climbing?
You can begin by finding a local gym, joining a club, or connecting with a climbing community. It’s also important to work with experienced climbers who can guide and educate you on necessary skills and safety practices.
Is rock climbing safe?
Rock climbing can be safe when the proper safety precautions are taken. Essential safety requirements like helmets, safety harnesses, and proper use of anchor points are crucial. It is advisable to partake in rock climbing with someone experienced in the activity.
Welcome to my blog! I’m Hellen James, and I’m incredibly passionate about rock climbing, bouldering, ice climbing, and mountaineering. Join me as I embark on thrilling adventures, conquer vertical challenges, and share my experiences and insights with fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
