Trying the moves in the summer, I could barely hang the holds. No chance, I thought, until I tried again and found those once miserable holds were now as grippy as Velcro.
Winter often brings the best rock-climbing conditions.
Cold temperatures increase the stickiness of rock-shoe rubber and make your skin harder and drier, vastly improving friction grip. They also drive away the crowds. At slopey, friction-dependent areas such Fontainebleau, a temperature of about 40 degrees is considered ideal. And Five Ten says its Stealth C4 rubber is at its stickiest on rock between 30 and 40 degrees. While bouldering is the obvious pursuit for such chilly days, it is possible to climb in even colder temperatures and redpoint hard routes.