I have recently brought a clip stick, and have found it a really powerful tool for my climbing, as despite being far from ‘match fit’, I have seen how it can positively effect my climbing. Having thought about the effects of a clip stick, I think that it comes down to the simple answer that by clipping the first bolt on a sport route we totally eliminate the chances of a ground fall.
As a result I have certainly been much more relaxed climbing up the initial moves, this ‘relaxed’ style seems to then carry on through the route. Rather than starting up a route climbing nervously and defensively and probably over pulling on holds. It has shown real results in that I managed to climb Contusion on Mayfair Wall, something that previous I had failed on.
More than that, over the last week or two I have upped the amount of time I am on the rock. This has meant that I have been feeling more confident in my ability. So where a couple of months ago I was climbing easy routes for me, I have progressively increase the difficulty through HVS, E1, E2 and a couple of E3/4 slabs. Again this confidence means that in my climbing I am feeling a lot more relaxed and composed.
Finally, I have been warming up. The day I did contusion we climbed three F6a(+)’s, so when we came to go on this for me challenging route. There was no flash pump, and the blood vessels in my arms were fully dilated.
My advice for sport climbing, get a clip stick, warm up and work your way up through the grades over weeks and months. Remember always try and end the day consolidating a grade or working a new one. V12 Outddors have a variety of clip sticks, I recommend the 12ft one!