How to Use a Heel Hook Technique in Rock Climbing

Video Transcript

"Hi. I'm Stephen with Climb On Adventures and right now I'm going to talk to you about a move called the heel hook. It's particularly useful if you are trying to go over a bulge or a pull on some steep rock. One of the best things about a heel hook is that it can be used as a move, it can be used as a rest and it takes a lot of weight off of your arms. So any time that you get the chance to put your feet or put your weight on your feet (whether it be your toes, your heels, whatever) go ahead and take advantage of that. And so, the first step of a heel hook is getting your feet firmly planted because you're about to lose one of your....I mean, getting your hands planted because you are about to come off of our feet. So you want to make sure that your hands are on a good hold and your heel goes up and over your hand. And just really dig the heel of that shoe into the rock. And as you can see, I can rest from this hold. It allows you, if your arms are tired, you can shake out or pump. You can change up to the other side. But the real utility of a heel hook other than a rest is you can actually pull real hard on your hamstrings and use it rather than your arms to pull yourself over a bulge. It makes it a lot easier, it makes it a lot safer and it opens up opportunities you otherwise couldn't exploit. "