spidergirl

robertjoy, JohnFrieh and rbw1966- Just wanted to thank you for the tips on shin bang. I climbed the last two weekends in my Koflachs and had no shin bang. This past weekend I had two long days with lots of steep climbing and they were so comfortable (and warm! I’m still amazed I can climb in below zero temps and have warm feet). I did get A-line footbeds (comfortable and kept my feet from sliding around, especially going down). I also kept the top part of the boot laced really loosely. I might still get non-plastics at some point but for now, these are great. Thanks again!

Thank you, everyone, for all the tips! I wondered about the lacing. On the last winter hike I did, I ran into two separate guys who had my same boots. I asked if they get shin bang and one said "no, but I lace mine really tight" and the other said "no, but I lace mine really loose". Now I'll keep the upper part looser for most of the time! Robertjoy, I might take my boots in to try on footbeds. I think I have high arches, too. I know the boots are the right size but maybe the footbeds would make them fit even better. Doesn't hurt to try, I guess.

I have found that lifting heavy things have irritated my injured tendon (more in the palm of my hand now). Lifting the laundry basket, heavy pots while washing dishes...even holding a heavy squash with my fingers spread (so that I could scoop the seeds out) hurt my tendon. So I haven't been lifting weights. I had thought I could possibly ice climb because gripping doesn't seem to bother it as much. But JayB's point about using the forearm made me reconsider. I could see how the forearm muscle use could put strain on the hand muscles.

Has anyone used footbeds in their plastic boots to prevent shin bang? I got really bad shin bang climbing Mt. Washington last winter. My local shop recommended using Aline footbeds to prevent the shin bang. I'm wary of trying these in case I were to get shin bang again (I was in so much pain by the end of the day). Am I better off getting insulated non-plastic mtneering boots? I do want to get something soon because I've been winter hiking in my leather backpacking boots. My feet end up cold and wet by day’s end, and a bit sore from my crampons....

Thanks for the advice, all. As tempted as I am to climb, I’m leaning toward being conservative and letting it heal completely.

Hello- I have lurked but am a new poster here. I’m hoping someone can help advise me... I’m supposed to take an ice climbing course with a friend this weekend but have an injured hand. In mid-Dec. I injured my ring finger tendon while rock climbing so haven’t climbed since. I saw a sports doc who said no rock climbing for 4-6 weeks, ice, and wrap. I no longer have pain in the finger but I do have pain in the palm of my hand, running down from that finger. I’ve ice climbed several times before but never with a hand injury. My question is, will ice climbing this weekend aggravate the rock climbing injury? Or should using an ice axe be okay? Anyone had this experience? I appreciate any advice! Thanks!