How to Use the Mantle Technique in Rock Climbing: Intermediate Rock Climbing Tip

Video Transcript

"Hi I'm Bill with Zoar Outdoor on behalf of expertvillage.com we are here today at a Chapel Ledges at Ashfield, Massachusetts and in this series I'm going to be talking about the basics of moving on rock. Mantle is a technique for getting up onto a ledge or a flat spot when you climb. Share some similarities of getting out a swimming pool without a ladder. You want to get your feet set up so you can get high enough to push down on the ledge that you are climbing on to. Keep your hands close to the edge, this is going to give you the best balance, leaning forward at this point is only going to make it harder. Staying here my next step is to get a foot up to the mantle ledge that I am after a knee might sound easier but it doesn't set you up for success later. Takes a little flexibility stretching in advance helps. Once I am here what I need to do is position myself over my feet so that I am ready to stand up. Now sometimes you might want to do that in quicker sessions so you got some momentum moving up. I'm here doing it all in one motion gets me up there without having me pause at that delicate balance point. A mantle good move to know it comes in handy in lots of climbs."