In this episode, I reveal a powerful — and often overlooked — strategy for developing the mental, technical, and tactical skills needed to level up your climbing.

If you're an intermediate climber passionate about improving — or an advanced climber who's hit a plateau — then this is a must-listen episode.

Even veteran climbers and professionals can use this strategy to refine their skills and “sharpen the saw” each season. America’s top sport climber, Jonathan Siegrist, has shared with me that he enjoys and benefits from this approach to route climbing.

So, what is this mysterious climbing strategy?

Listen in now to find out!

RUNDOWN

0:16 - Welcome statement...

0:38 - Eric sets the stage for revealing a powerful route climbing strategy that really can level up your mental and technical climbing skills. This approach to route climbing is NOT "projecting" or "onsight" climbing...

(Learn more about projecting from T4C podcasts #76, #53, and #12

4:00 - What is this powerful strategy?

6:19 - Learn the 6 powerful benefits of climbing with the intention for second-go sending of a route.

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15:20 - Learn 7 tips and techniques for excelling at second-go climbing

16:05 - 1. Pick the right grade of route for leveraging the second-go strategy.

18:35 - 2. Pick the right belayer to endure the belay duty of your first go!

20:10 - 3. Work the crux sequence thoroughly! Think out of the box and experiment with a range of beta solutions. Take special note of the "feel beta" of you sequence you settle on.

22:10 - 4. Use tickmarks (judiciously) as visual cues for a critical foot or hand hold.

23:00 - 5. Find the obvious rests...and search for inobvious, but possibly vital nuanced rest positions for the send go.

24:05 - 6. Be sure you know the easier sections of climbing -- they might not feel so easy on point!

25:15 - 7. BELIEVE in the second-go send!

27:00 - What to do if you don't send?

29:00 - What's the best ratio of onsight, project, and second-go climbing?

30:30 - Eric's summary tips, comments, and best wishes.

Contact Eric on Instagram @eric_horst or @training4climbing -- subscribe to Eric's T4C YouTube channel.

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Music by Misty Murphy

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Copyright 2025 Eric Hörst | Horst Training, LLC.

#113: A Powerful (and Overlooked) Route Climbing Strategy for Leveling Up!

Eric Hörst's Training For Climbing Podcast