Disclaimer: I am not encouraging distracted or otherwise poor belaying. However, I do acknowledge that there are times when the wind picks up, the sun goes behind a cloud, you weren’t thinking and didn’t put on your belay jacket, etc., and you find yourself freezing your behind off while belaying. Here are some yoga-inspired “poses” and techniques…
Author: Liz Haas
A Glossary of Top Rope Terms for “TR” Lovers and Haters Alike
Whether you’re a top rope (TR) champion or wouldn’t dare to be seen anywhere other than on the sharp end, we all know that toproping isn’t “real” climbing in the sense that you can’t really “send” a route on TR…right? Not to say that TRing isn’t “real” climbing in that one still scales rocks while doing it,…
Polite Woodland Defecation
I’m pretty good at pooping. I also like to stay hydrated. Between the two, I often find myself having to use the “outdoor facilities” while climbing, hiking, and camping. Now, I’m sure you’ve heard of the proper method for defecating in the wilderness: Walk 200+ feet from any trails, campsites, crags, notable boulders, water sources, and…
Pre-Climbing Power French Toast
Looking to mix up your pre-cragging breakfast routine? Find yourself hungry halfway through your warm-up? Just want something healthy but tasty and simple to make for your next meal? Pre-Climbing Power French Toast has you covered. INGREDIENTS: 1 egg 2 (or 3 if you’re super hungry) slices Ezekiel bread 1 tablespoon whole milk 1 dash…
Climbing In College Part 2: Making the Most of Weekend-Warrioring
The fall of my sophomore year, I camped in the White Mountains or Evan’s Notch every weekend from before the semester began until I went home for Thanksgiving. It was my favorite semester of college, mostly because I climbed outside more that semester than any other—getting out every weekend whether we were hiding from rain…
A Week of Home Workouts Via YouTube
Some weeks you’re too busy to sneak away from work early for an afternoon outside, to do 4x4s at the gym, or even to design a home workout schedule for yourself. This is where YouTube comes in. I rarely find the motivation to make up and then do 10 minutes of core strengthening or pushups or stretching or anything else when…
If the Shoe Doesn’t Fit: A Flow-Chart Guide to Climbing Shoe Sizing
Looking for a new pair of shoes but want to ensure a performance fit without causing (too much) permanent damage to your toes? Here’s a flow-chart guide to help you find the perfect pair, as downsizing to the point of crippling pain (or, less commonly, out of control upsizing) will only make you hate your shoes and…
Climbers, Love Your (Healthy) Fats
Fat used to make me nervous. I wasn’t worried about being fat, but of eating too much fat. Four years of intense high school cross country and talk of low fat, high carb diets (carbo-loading) combined with growing up during the low fat diet craze, and the amount of lipids in peanut butter made me…
Tips for Training in College
However psyched, bummed, or indifferent you are about “back to school,” it’s getting to be that time of year. Thankfully for my stress levels, I’m not joining the textbook-buying rush, but, after having “campused” my honors BA in three years while simultaneously working two jobs, I know the difficulties of trying to fit in enough outdoor climbing…
Your First (or Next) Climbing Tattoo
We are a tattooed generation, and there are many reasons why we decide to get our designs: Some have meaning, some look cool, some were on sale, and some just seemed like the thing to do at the time. So why not get a tattoo that tells others something about your favorite sport? You’ll show other climbers…
Celebrating 100 Coffee Tape Climb Posts
Well, here it is folks: Post number 100. To celebrate nearly two years of writing and doodling about various aspects of climbing, I’ve put together some Coffee Tape Climb crowd and personal favorites. Enjoy! Most Popular Posts: Gear Review: The Butora Acro Tie Back Those Flowing Locks (Also known as: How to Avoid Ripping Your Hair…
Pulling Plastic in Berlin: The Best Indoor and “Outdoor” Climbing in the City
Berlin isn’t known for its fantastic highballs, limestone tufas, splitter hand cracks, or really any other type of outdoor climbing beyond a bit of illegal buildering. There isn’t any good climbing directly outside of the city either. The Frankenjura is over four hours away by car, the Alps are a 10-hour bus ride south, and…
Coffee. Tape. Climb. 