STARTING HOLD - #8 > December 2005/January 2006

On a trip to the Gunks with some friends in September, we were had the pleasant surprise of a beautiful day. For the first time in months, the weather broke from its usual "H" factor - hot, hazy, and humid. It wasn't quite sending temps, but at least we weren't soaking our crashpads in sweat every time we landed on them. Sitting there, basking in the sun and cool breeze, the only girl in our group broke the silence with, "It's too bad it's going to start getting cold." Well, that's one way to look at it. Then suddenly, someone said, "I can't wait for it to get cold - that's prime climbing season." Thus, the debate began - what is bouldering's season? When does it start and when does it end?

To further muddy the waters of debate, now is a funny, transitional time of year. A migratory time of year. In some areas, like Mt. Evans, Colorado or Squamish, British Columbia, the projects have been sent for the season - and while they'll have to wait until next year for new sends, other areas, like most of the southern climbing regions, are ready for full swing action. And if that's not enough, just throw in some plastic. Although the plastic "season" may be all year long, comp season, from October to March, is what really gets people in a training frenzy.

So the truth of the matter - climbing has no specific season. That's the beauty of it. One man's frigid nightmare is another woman's climbing dream. One area's sending season is another area's wet season. There's always someplace to climb, even in the dead of winter.

This issue of UCMAG, we took some time to address winter's impact on climbing. Wanna keep sending with frozen fingers? Justin Roth's Cold Weather Workshop will keep you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Wanna use the gym to prep for next spring's rock season? Eric Horst'll keep you in check with tipes on how to stay fresh and improve your training skills on plastic. And if comps are your thing, we've got a treat for you - LOWDOWN, UCMAG's 2005/2006 Comp Climbing Guide. Pure dedication to competition climbing. So, grab your down coat, thermos, and climbing gear and tromp through some snow to your next session.

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