Simeon Heimowitz
The Blue Collar Brawl

Climbing to me is a constant vigil of discovery. Finding, developing, and ascending natural lines (whether it be Sport, or Trad) while mentally, and physically challenging yourself to the point where upward progress is either plausible, and happening or impossible where you have to hang. A reality dictated by the forces of gravity where you have to anatomically decipher clues given by Mother Nature in the form of featured vertical stone to find successes, and times failures. For this blog let's associate the term 'free climbing' as being synonymous with a true "on-sight" whereas you are in the moment, learning on the fly, real time, making decisions with no knowledge of what's coming minus a guide book and the naked eye. This style of ascent is what motivates a climber to search for the next new line believing every second that you have what it takes to succeed going from the first moves to the end of the pitch; which in layman's terms means 'Never Saying Take'. SouthernXposure.com

The Blue Collar Brawl

How to Improve Your Climbing Technique: Tips from Mexico’s Most Trusted Guide Service.

Are you about to go scaling the limestone cliffs of El Potrero Chico or tackling the volcanic crags of Las Peñas de Dexcani? Well, improving your climbing technique will always improve your experience. Mexico is home to some of the best rock climbing in the world, so why not learn from the pros?

 

Tip 101: Improve Your Climbing Technique

Here are some top tips from Mexico’s finest climbing guides on how to improve your technique and feel more confident on the wall.


Forget your grip strength and Focus on Footwork First

You might think climbing is all about arm strength, right? Actually, the opposite is true: your legs do most of the work! One of the top tips from SouthernXposure’s guides is to focus on your footwork. The more efficient you are with your feet, the more energy you’ll save for tougher moves.

●     Instead of blindly setting yourself onto footholds, try to place your foot intently. This keeps you in better balance.

●     Always plan where your foot is going before moving. It helps you stay in control and climb more fluidly.

●     In Mexico’s diverse landscape, you'll encounter lots of varying stone. Learning to smear (pressing your shoe flat against the rock for friction) will help on those tricky slabs.

Master Body Positioning

Have you ever noticed how experienced climbers seem to float up the rock? A big part of that is their ability to use body positioning to their advantage. Instead of muscling through every move, they rely on technique to make things easier.

●     The closer your body is to the wall, the less strain on your arms.

●     Rotate your hips toward the wall to extend your reach and conserve energy. This is especially helpful on steep terrain, like the overhangs you’ll find in places like Las Peñas Dexcani.

●     Learning how to shift your weight effectively can keep you stable, especially when the holds are small.

Practice Breathing and Relaxation

●     When you feel anxious or pumped out, take slow, deep breaths to calm your nerves.

●     It might feel tempting to power through, but take advantage of resting points. Shake out your arms and take a breather whenever possible.

●     Climbers often over-grip, which wastes energy. Keep your grip firm but not tense—it’s all about efficiency.

Strengthen Your Core

Climbing is not only the display of muscle in the shoulders. It is the use of muscle tension throughout the body. SouthernXposure’s professional guides suggest strengthening the core muscles to improve stability on the rock. This means building up a very strong core helping you stay stable, particularly on some of the more challenging moves on which you will be applying heavy body tension.

●     Planks

●     Leg lifts

●     Bicycles

Have Fun and Stay Curious

Climbing in Mexico is exceptionally amazing because there are a lot of climbing areas with differing stone. Still, the most important of all the information researched is to ensure that you have fun! Many participants, when interviewed, have expressed that they do not view climbing as only an athletic activity, it is an adventure as well as an appeal to natural environments only found outdoors.

 

Excel climbing the Cliffs of Mexico with SouthernXposure Climbing School & guide service

Are you ready to take your climbing to the next level? SouthernXposure Climbing School offers guided climbing tours throughout all of Mexico's stunning destinations. Our expert guides will help you master the systems needed to climb outdoors. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! Book your climbing adventure today and let SouthernXposure Climbing School help you reach new heights.

How to Choose the Right Rock Climbing Shoes for Mexico’s Diverse Terrain

Are you ready to conquer the climbing in Mexico? Mexico is a climber's paradise. But before you tie in and climb, it is essential to have the right gear. What kind of rock are you climbing? Limestone face, Granite slab, Rhyolite cracks, or Sandstone edging? There's a lot to cover. But remember, these factors influence your shoe choice.

How to Choose? Stey By Step Guide

You Should Know the Stone You’re Climbing

Mexico is home to all kinds of climbing spots, and the type of rock you’re on will affect your choice of footwear. Are you heading to El Potrero Chico for some long sports climbs? Or maybe you’re tackling the Porphyritic Granite of Peña de Bernal? Each location is different, and so is the shoe you’ll need.

●     Limestone cliffs are popular for sport climbing. This rock type is often super abrasive with heavy toe-in style and requires shoes with a precise toe-box.

●     Granite is found in areas like Peña de Bernal. Granite demands footwork, so a stickier rubber sole will help.

●     The Volcanic Tuff of Las Peñas de Dexcani rock is very technique driven. You’ll want more aggressive shoes that can handle overhanging routes.

Fit is Everything

Have you ever tried climbing in shoes that don’t fit right? It’s a nightmare! When picking out climbing shoes, the fit is critical. You want shoes that are snug but not painful. Too tight, and you’ll be in agony. Too loose, and you’ll lose precision. The key is finding that perfect balance.

●     Your toes should be slightly curled but not crushed.

●     There should be no dead space in the heel or toe box.

●     Boulder around a bit at your outdoor store before deciding. They should feel tight but not unbearable.

Different Types of Climbing Shoes

Did you know there are different types of climbing shoes depending on the type of climbing you’ll be doing? If you’re new to the sport, this might be news to you. But it’s an important consideration when planning your climbing vacation in Mexico.

●     Neutral shoes - Best for beginners or long climbs. They’re more comfortable, with a relaxed fit.

●     Moderate shoes - Great for sport climbing and routes that need more precision. They have a more aggressive design and better rubber for more precise edging.

●     Aggressive shoes - These are for the advanced climber. The shoes are highly downturned, allowing for maximum precision on tiny footholds, often used in steep, overhanging climbs.

Consider the Rubber

Have you ever asked yourself why the rubber on climbing shoes is different? The kind of rubber at the sole determines the level of stickiness that one is able to have on the rock. The rubber that is sticky gives good grip, but is not very durable. Hard rubber has a longer wear but it offers less friction to the rock.

What to look for?

●     Soft rubber is ideal for routes where you need maximum friction.

●     Hard rubber is better for routes where durability is important, like multi-pitch climbs.

Get Ready for Adventure with SouthernXposure Climbing School

Do you want to go on a rock climbing trip in Mexico? SouthernXposure offers guided climbing tours that take you to the most iconic locations. When you wear the right shoes, you will be ready to take anything that comes your way. Start your adventure today!